Imagine a future where a single computer solves in minutes what today’s supercomputers would take billions of years to process. That future is no longer science fiction. Quantum computing is advancing rapidly, with breakthroughs on the horizon that could revolutionize industries, from drug discovery and climate science to super-materials, finance, and AI.

For investors who missed the AI boom, this is a second chance to get in early on an emerging technology. And for forward-thinking nations, including the UAE, quantum computing presents a chance to lead in the global technology race.

The AI revolution seemingly came out of nowhere in 2022 with OpenAI’s ChatGPT— what many call a "15-year overnight success." Similarly, quantum computing has been in development for decades, with major players like IBM, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Intel investing billions. Now, the field is reaching an inflection point

 

Why Quantum Computing Changes Everything

Quantum physics defies intuition. Unlike traditional computers that process data in binary bits (0s and 1s), quantum computers use qubits that leverage three key principles:

• Superposition: Qubits can be in multiple states at once, enabling vast parallel computations. Imagine solving every possible move in a chess game simultaneously rather than one by one.
• Entanglement: Two or more qubits can be linked across any distance, meaning a change in one instantly affects the others, vastly accelerating complex calculations.
• Interference: Quantum computers harness a strange feature of quantum physics - where particles behave like waves - to strengthen the right answers and cancel out the wrong ones, much like noise-cancelling headphones block unwanted sound. This lets the system zero in on the most likely solution far more efficiently than traditional computers.

Quantum computers are extremely sensitive, easily disrupted by heat, vibration, or electromagnetic noise. Coherence refers to how long qubits can maintain their quantum state, exhibiting superposition, entanglement, and interference without error. To extend this fragile state, scientists cool quantum chips to nearly -273.15°C (absolute zero), colder than outer space. The longer the coherence, the more powerful and reliable the computation.

These properties enable quantum computers to model molecular and atomic structures, unlocking new materials, faster drug discovery, and breakthroughs in finance and mobility. Analysts project that quantum computing could add $2 trillion to the global economy by 2033

 

The Quantum Race is Heating Up

Until now, the biggest challenge has been scalability and error rates. In other words, when you try to build quantum computers that are large enough to be useful, the error rates increase even faster. On February 19, 2025, Microsoft announced Majorana 1, a quantum chip they claim can scale to one million qubits, a level widely seen as the tipping point for practical quantum computing. Only a week later, Amazon revealed its brand-new Ocelot Quantum Chip, featuring up to 90% error correction. This follows Google’s 2024 Willow chip. IBM, too, is working toward a 100,000-qubit system by 2033 We are witnessing an extraordinary quantum arms race among tech giants.

With every breakthrough, we move closer to a world where quantum computing reshapes industries and creates trillions in economic value.

 

Why the UAE is Uniquely Positioned

Quantum computing is not just about raw computational power—it is about who will dominate the next era of technological innovation. The US and China are leading, with India close behind. Europe, a sleeping tech giant, may yet awaken. But the UAE is already making strategic moves to secure its place in the race through Abu Dhabi’s Quantum Research Center and its partnership with IonQ, a leading quantum computing company.

The UAE has several distinct advantages:

• Global Bridge Between East and West; Fostering international research collaboration.
• Deep Investment Capabilities; Sovereign funds in Abu Dhabi and Dubai already back AI and frontier technologies, making quantum computing a natural extension.
• Energy & Infrastructure Leadership; Well-positioned to support the extreme cooling required for quantum computing research and development.

Just as the UAE has embraced AI, it is actively positioning itself as a leader in quantum computing, attracting talent, investment, and research partnerships that will shape the future.

 

The Quantum Investment Landscape

Quantum computing companies have seen notable investor interest in the past 12 months, reflecting confidence in the sector’s potential. Both established large cap tech companies as well as specialized firms continue to announce technology progress from their investments in research and commercialization. Yet, we are still in the early innings.

While the timeline remains uncertain, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella suggests major breakthroughs in the next 3-5 years, though other experts caution it may take closer to a decade. The long-term trajectory is clear: an inevitable march toward “Quantum Advantage”, the point where Quantum Computers can solve practical problems faster than any traditional super computers.

Some dismissed AI as a pipe dream in 2018, just as skeptics are doing with quantum computing today. But as Microsoft declared 2025 the year to become Quantum Ready and Nvidia organized the world’s first Quantum Day in March, the momentum is undeniable.

The UAE has an opportunity to be at the forefront of this transformation. By investing early - whether through sovereign funds, research initiatives, or strategic partnerships - investors and nations alike can capitalize on the quantum revolution.

The AI boom reshaped the tech landscape. Quantum computing is next. Investors, companies, and countries alike are getting a second chance to enter what could be the next tech boom after AI and blockchain.

 

The question is not if, but when. Will you be Quantum-ready?

Geir Espeskog, MSc Computer Science and Technology Management, CEO of Northwind Ltd.