Quantum News Nexus

Google Quantum AI, known until now for years of groundbreaking research in the field of superconducting quantum computing, is putting another modality on its menu, announcing a new program in neutral-atom quantum research.

Some people are reading this as a failure of Google’s superconducting program, but it feels more like some acknowledgement that multiple quantum computing modalities will thrive in the future, and may have distinct fits for different kinds of problems. Also, while smaller companies need to choose one path to invest in and stick with it, Google has the finances and corporate patience to develop dual paths, and even see is they can feed off one another.

Google Quantum AI chief Hartmut Neven said in a blog post, “Investing in both approaches increases our ability to deliver on our mission, sooner. By advancing both, we cross-pollinate research and engineering breakthroughs, and can deliver access to versatile platforms tailored to different types of problems.”

Google is not the only one in the sector that is working on multiple approaches. D-Wave built its business on quantum annealing, but recently expanded its superconducting ambitions with the acquisition of Quantum Circuits, Inc.

While neutral-atom quantum computers from the likes of IonQ, QuEra Computing, and others have been able claim some ground in the market early on , we need to remember that superconducting systems are still perhaps three years away from maturity. 2029 (or maybe 2030) was always going to be the year of superconducting quantum computing, and nothing has changed there.

More of the industry is beginning to acknowledge that multiple modalities will have a place in the market. This is a big change from a few years ago, when more people were saying, “Riegtti bet on the wrong horse,” or “IonQ’s winning now, but will be crushed in the superconducting era.” Having said that, the early 2030s are going to be really interesting for testing that theory.

Quantum News Nexus is a site from freelance writer and editor Dan O’Shea that covers quantum computing, quantum sensing, quantum networking, quantum-safe security, and more. You can find him on X @QuantumNewsGuy and doshea14@gmail.com.