Quantum computing is attracting increasing attention due to both the threats and the opportunities it may present. Nonetheless, the technology is still nascent and thus far lacks substantive commercial applications that can demonstrate, let alone validate, its potential impact. This uncertainty challenges organizations’ ability to make strategic decisions concerning quantum computing. In this study, we explored the practitioners’ discourse about quantum computing and the metaphors used to describe the technology and its prospective value. Building on a thematic analysis of 140 video presentations by quantum computing practitioners, we identified ten distinct metaphors of quantum computing. Subsequently, we sorted the metaphors based on the perceived feasibility and strategic potential of the technology to reveal four ways quantum computing may impact the prevailing digital logic. These findings shed light on the alternative development paths of quantum computing business applications and extend the theoretical foundation of this incipient discourse.
Quantum computing is attracting increasing attention due to both the threats and the opportunities it may present. Nonetheless, the technology is still nascent and thus far lacks substantive commercial applications that can demonstrate, let alone validate, its potential impact. This uncertainty challenges organizations’ ability to make strategic decisions concerning quantum computing. In this study, we explored the practitioners’ discourse about quantum computing and the metaphors used to describe the technology and its prospective value. Building on a thematic analysis of 140 video presentations by quantum computing practitioners, we identified ten distinct metaphors of quantum computing. Subsequently, we sorted the metaphors based on the perceived feasibility and strategic potential of the technology to reveal four ways quantum computing may impact the prevailing digital logic. These findings shed light on the alternative development paths of quantum computing business applications and extend the theoretical foundation of this incipient discourse.
Quantum computing is an approach to data processing and computation that uses principles of quantum mechanics to solve complex problems that traditional computers cannot handle. This panel aims to explore the potential of quantum technologies and their impact on IS scholarship and practice. We will discuss lessons from the past, the outlook for the future, and how quantum computing may either challenge or expand the current modus operandi of business and society. Building on common images of quantum computing in the popular discourse, the panel considers five metaphors used to describe quantum computing: a mirage, a crypto buster, a supercomputer, a silver bullet, and a paradigm shift. Overall, we call on the information systems community to help transform the discourse on quantum computing, shifting from an exclusive interest in technical issues to a broader interest in quantum information systems that focuses on the application and commercial advancement of quantum computing.
This article investigates the impact of quantum computing (QC) as an emerging technology with the potential to benefit businesses and their technological infrastructure. The main objective is to describe the challenges organizations face when adopting it, as well as the opportunities it offers in increasingly competitive and strategically complex markets driven by exponential growth. The study also identified that, while quantum computing promises to revolutionize areas such as resource optimization, productivity efficiency, and the simulation of future scenarios—enabling better-informed decision-making and risk mitigation—its implementation encounters significant obstacles: high costs, the need for specialized talent, and new security risks. To address these barriers, hybrid models combining cloud and local infrastructure, as well as microservices, have emerged as practical alternatives, enabling organizations to access this technology without requiring substantial initial investment. Ultimately, this research contributes to the academic discussion that quantum computing is not a replacement but rather a complement that can be integrated gradually and carefully. The path forward requires efforts in education and policy to ensure accessible and ethical development, preventing it from becoming a tool reserved for only a few.
Quantum computing has evolved from a largely theoretical discipline into a field of growing interest for commercial and industrial applications. Recent advances in quantum hardware, algorithms, and cloud-based access have enabled early experimentation outside academic environments, raising questions about its potential impact on real-world decision-making and operational problems. This paper provides an overview of the current state of quantum computing with a focus on its emerging relevance in commercial contexts. It examines the categories of problems that have attracted attention from industry, particularly those involving high combinatorial complexity such as optimization, scheduling, logistics, and resource allocation. The analysis also reviews the global landscape of companies and initiatives engaged in quantum computing, highlighting different technological approaches, maturity levels, and regional characteristics. In parallel, the paper discusses the principal challenges and limitations that constrain widespread adoption, including hardware immaturity, algorithmic readiness, cost factors, and organizational requirements. By considering both opportunities and risks, this study aims to present a balanced and realistic perspective on the role quantum computing may play in business environments. The objective is to clarify the current position of quantum computing within the broader technological landscape and to support informed interpretation of its potential, limitations, and future trajectory in commercial applications.
While artificial intelligence has been attracting increasing investment and controversy, a new, and potentially much more powerful technology, Quantum Computing, is on the business horizon. Already, organizations are assessing its potential for addressing a range of computationally challenging issues, such as last-mile optimization and cryptanalysis to break encryption algorithms, and are exploring possible applications in a range of business areas. While the advent of Quantum Computing may bring an array of opportunities and benefits, the companies developing and applying Quantum Computing technologies will face, and have to address, new sets of corporate social, ethical, economic, technical and environmental responsibilities. Using a qualitative research method based on secondary sources, this article examines the implications for Quantum Computing for corporate digital responsibility, and assesses the guidance currently being offered by leading consultancies for organisations deploying Quantum Computing. The results suggest that although there is some guidance on how companies can apply and exploit Quantum Computing technology, there is as yet little consideration of the possible downsides, including, for example, potential negative environmental impacts. Further research is needed to develop a more balanced assessment of benefits and disbenefits as Quantum Computing is deployed in the corporate world and wider global society.
Quantum computing represents a paradigm shift in information processing, promising unprecedented computational power and the ability to solve complex problems that are currently beyond the reach of classical computers. This Review provides a concise overview of the potential impacts of quantum computing on the Information Technology (IT) industry, exploring key advancements, challenges, and transformative possibilities. Quantum computing leverages the principles of quantum mechanics, such as superposition and entanglement, to perform computations in ways that classical computers cannot emulate. This review examines the potential ramifications for the IT industry, addressing crucial aspects shaping the future of quantum computing. The impacts on cryptography, a cornerstone of IT security, are discussed, as quantum computers have the potential to break widely used encryption algorithms, necessitating the development of quantum-resistant cryptographic solutions. Additionally, the Review delves into the optimization of complex problem-solving tasks, such as optimization problems and machine learning algorithms, offering a glimpse into the transformative potential of quantum computing in accelerating data analysis and decision-making processes. Challenges in realizing the full potential of quantum computing, including error correction, qubit stability, and hardware development, are also explored. As quantum computers are still in the nascent stages of development, addressing these challenges is imperative for harnessing their true capabilities. The Review concludes by highlighting the collaborative efforts of industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers in advancing quantum computing technologies. Initiatives and investments are underway to develop scalable and commercially viable quantum hardware and software, signaling the beginning of a new era in information processing. In summary, this Review provides a snapshot of the evolving landscape of quantum computing and its potential impacts on the IT industry. As quantum technologies continue to mature, their transformative influence on cryptography, problem-solving tasks, and computational capabilities is poised to reshape the IT industry, prompting stakeholders to adapt and capitalize on the quantum computing revolution.
Quantum computing is emerging as a transformative general-purpose technology with the potential to redefine entrepreneurial innovation across data-intensive and optimization-driven industries. By exploiting quantum mechanical principles such as superposition, entanglement, and quantum parallelism, quantum computers offer new computational capabilities that may surpass classical systems in solving complex problems. This paper examines quantum computing as a catalyst for entrepreneurial innovation, focusing on the strategic opportunities, market disruptions, and ethical challenges associated with quantum-enabled business models in finance, supply chain optimization, and healthcare startups. Through a cross-sectoral analysis, the study explores how startups can leverage hybrid quantum–classical approaches to accelerate decision-making, enhance predictive accuracy, and unlock novel value propositions. At the same time, it addresses critical concerns related to technological uncertainty, unequal access, data security, and responsible innovation. The paper argues that while quantum computing presents significant disruptive potential, its sustainable integration into entrepreneurial ecosystems requires strategic foresight and ethical governance frameworks alongside technological adoption.