NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang Reconsiders Quantum Computing at GTC 2025

At NVIDIA’s GTC 2025 conference, CEO Jensen Huang took a surprising turn on his earlier skepticism toward quantum computing. Hosting two panels with leaders from 12 top quantum companies, including IonQ and D-Wave Quantum Inc., Huang joked about his January comments that “useful” quantum computing was 15-30 years away—a statement that previously sent quantum stocks tumbling.

Quantum computers, unlike traditional systems, use qubits that exist in multiple states simultaneously. They’re expected to revolutionize fields like cryptography, logistics, materials science, and drug discovery. During the panels, Huang challenged the CEOs to prove him wrong, quipping, “How could a quantum computer company be public?”

Executives from companies such as Pasqal, Quantum Computing Inc., and Rigetti shared real-world use cases and emphasized quantum’s growing synergy with classical computing. Pasqal’s CEO Loïc Henriet likened quantum systems to accelerators, while IonQ’s Peter Chapman noted that future computing will involve seamless interaction between classical and quantum machines.

Despite this optimism, public quantum stocks continued to struggle, reacting to lingering investor skepticism. At market close, D-Wave (QBTS) dropped 18%, Quantum Computing Inc. (QUBT) fell 11.7%, IonQ (IONQ) declined 9.3%, and Rigetti (RGTI) slipped 9.2%.

Huang acknowledged the industry's rapid progress, stating, “Quantum computing is scaling a lot faster than classical computing did.” He concluded by saying that if his misjudgment brought more attention to quantum innovation, then it was “mission accomplished.”

In a major commitment to the field, NVIDIA also announced the launch of the Nvidia Accelerated Quantum Research Center (NVAQC) in Boston. The new lab will foster collaboration with Harvard and MIT researchers, aiming to drive breakthroughs in quantum computing starting later this year.