The Rise of Quantum Computing

Accelerating technological breakthroughs, increasing investment flows, start-up proliferation, and promises of capable quantum systems by 2030 signal it’s time for business leaders to begin planning their quantum-computing strategies.

McKinsey Quantum Technology Monitor 2026: A commercial tipping point

April 28, 2026 – Quantum computing is no longer just an emerging technology. Our latest Quantum Technology Monitor report shows that over 300 global companies are adopting it, fueling a multibillion-dollar market.
Read the report
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Article
Three horizons of quantum: A business road map to the future computing economy
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In the next decade, quantum technology could create trillions in value and break encryption, delivering opportunity but also...
Single-photon detection: The missing piece to build quantum computers at scale
Blog Post
Single-photon detectors: The missing piece to build quantum computers at scale
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A strategic look for business leaders at superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPD), quantum hardware scaling, and growth....
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Blog Post
Qubots: How quantum technology could unlock physical AI
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Quantum technology combined with AI is shaping the next frontier of autonomous intelligence, creating multipurpose robots capable...

Industry perspectives

This image is a metaphorical illustration depicting the concept of global inequality or the delicate balance of power in international affairs.
Blog Post
How quantum technologies could rebalance the sustainability equation
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Quantum technologies could help cut energy use of information and communications technology and unlock new climate and environmental...
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Article
Solving chemistry’s toughest problems: The quantum computing advantage
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Quantum computing is poised to substantially improve computational capabilities in the chemicals value chain. Preparing now could...
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Article
Quantum communication and computing: Elevating the banking sector
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Quantum computing is delivering its first real-world benefits in financial services, realizing early business value today.
Laboratory with computers showing molecular modeling software and scientists working in the background
Article
The quantum revolution in pharma: Faster, smarter, and more precise
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Quantum computing presents a multibillion-dollar opportunity to revolutionize drug discovery, development, and delivery by enabling...

More Insights

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Article - McKinsey Quarterly
Quantum’s bold promise: What business leaders need to know
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Quantum computing could optimize portfolios, simulate molecules, and model supply chains. That’s just a start. In the next decade,...
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Article - McKinsey Quarterly
Quantum is almost here: Are you and your systems ready?
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The biggest cyberthreat in history is already a reality. Here’s an effective approach for securing data and intellectual property,...
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Blog Post
Making fault-tolerant quantum computers a reality
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Quantum error correction—in combination with error detection, suppression, and mitigation—can achieve quantum robustness,...
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Blog Post
Quantum technology investment hits a ‘magic moment’
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The quantum computing industry makes the leap from research and development to deployment and wider adoption. The smart money...
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Blog Post
Quantum computing on the horizon: What leaders need to know
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Quantum isn’t a someday technology—it’s here and scaling fast. Here’s how leaders are experimenting,...
A futuristic quantum computer sits atop a glowing circuit board, symbolizing advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and the future of data processing. The intricate circuitry beneath the device highlights the complexity and power of quantum computing.
Report
The Year of Quantum: From concept to reality in 2025
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Our fourth annual Quantum Technology Monitor report shows that surging investment and faster-than-expected innovation...
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Podcast - The McKinsey Podcast
Quantum computing: Game on
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New advances suggest quantum may finally be at an inflection point. Here’s what leaders need to know to become quantum-ready....
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McKinsey Direct
Quantum communication growth drivers: Cybersecurity and quantum computing
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McKinsey’s latest quantum communication report explores growing investment in new quantum communication capabilities to...
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Blog Post
Enabling the next frontier of quantum computing
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Industry leaders discuss creating a symbiotic quantum computing and AI relationship, training talent, and building a fruitful...
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Article
Quantum sensing’s untapped potential: Insights for leaders
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Quantum sensing is viable and could touch many parts of businesses. Here’s what leaders across industries should know.
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Blog Post
Understanding quantum control’s role in scaling quantum computing
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Quantum control enables large-scale quantum computing. But how does quantum control fit into the quantum computing stack, and...
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Blog Post
Quantum sensing: Poised to realize immense potential in many sectors
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Quantum sensing is more mature than other quantum technologies and has far-reaching potential. With the right support, several...
Quantum computer - stock photo
Report
Steady progress in approaching the quantum advantage
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Quantum technology could create value worth trillions of dollars within the next decade. The third annual Quantum Technology...
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Blog Post
Blocking out the noise: An interview with a quantum computing expert
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CEO and cofounder of Alice & Bob, Théau Peronnin, shares his insights into the value of quantum computing and what...
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Blog Post
Quantum computing: The time to act is now
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The number of quantum computing use cases is growing. Using a combination of quantum computing technologies might propel companies...
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Blog Post
Bringing quantum computing to data centers
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A point of view on how to overcome the challenges facing quantum computing.
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Blog Post
Quantum technology use cases as fuel for value in finance
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With hundreds of billions of dollars at stake, the time for business units to build capabilities around quantum technologies...
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Blog Post
Potential and challenges of quantum computing hardware technologies
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Many qubit technologies could shape the future of quantum computing hardware. Here, we take...
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Blog Post
Early value: An introduction to quantum optimizers
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Quantum optimizers can help organizations capture some of the benefits of quantum computing now.
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Blog Post
Is winter coming? Quantum computing’s trajectory in the years ahead
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Although the path ahead for quantum computing is anything but certain, our analysis suggests companies will have the resources...
Headshot of Dr. Jeremy O’Brien, cofounder and CEO of PsiQuantum
Interview
Shooting for the moon: How PsiQuantum forged its own path
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Dr. Jeremy O’Brien, cofounder and CEO of PsiQuantum, discusses defying conventional wisdom, attracting world-class talent,...
Quantum computer, gold silver mechanism isolated on white background - stock image
Article
Quantum technology sees record investments, progress on talent gap
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Investors buoy established quantum start-ups, technological progress continues—though at a slower pace—and more academic...
Clemens Utschig-Utschig headshot
Interview
Pursuing quantum in pharma with purpose: An interview with Boehringer Ingelheim’s CTO
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Clemens Utschig-Utschig discusses how his company is exploring quantum computing for its potential to propel next-generation...
Portrait of a female physicist next to a dilution - stock photo
Article
Five lessons from AI on closing quantum’s talent gap—before it’s too late
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To ensure organizations have access to the quantum computing talent they need when they need it, leaders will have to upskill...
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Blog Post
From basic research to market: Why the recent Nobel Prize in physics matters
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Businesses must prepare now for enormous new opportunities—and risks—as quantum technology approaches commercial...
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Article
Quantum computing funding remains strong, but talent gap raises concern
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Our latest Quantum Technology Monitor shows industry interest remains strong, China is upping its game, and talent shortages...
illustration of Jeremy O'Brien
Interview
How quantum computing can help tackle global warming
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Quantum computing has the potential to drive the major breakthroughs needed to help solve the climate crisis. A pioneer in the...
Beauty tech flower
Article
Quantum computing just might save the planet
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Exponentially more powerful machines could make possible major reductions in emissions, putting the goal of limiting global warming...
broken pieces
Article
When—and how—to prepare for post-quantum cryptography
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While quantum computers may not be able to crack conventional encryption protocols until 2030, many cybersecurity and risk managers...
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Article
Shaping the long race in quantum communication and quantum sensing
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While quantum computing is making headlines, two related technologies—quantum sensing and quantum communication—could...
A quantum wake-up call for European CEOs
Article
A quantum wake-up call for European CEOs
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Quantum computing could significantly reshape key industries in Europe. The region’s executives and entrepreneurs should...
Quantum computing use cases are getting real--what you need to know
Report
Quantum computing use cases are getting real—what you need to know
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A burgeoning quantum-computing ecosystem and emerging business use cases promise to create significant value for industries—if...
Separating the wheat from the chaff: Quantum technology in an era of hype
Blog Post
Separating the wheat from the chaff: Quantum technology in an era of hype
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Investors can cut through the noise by understanding which technologies are likely to be viable in the short term.
The path forward for quantum computing
Blog Post
The path forward for quantum computing
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Since 2000, quantum computing has been a huge focus for tech companies. Today, the race is on to deliver the first quantum computer...
Pharma’s digital Rx: Quantum computing in drug development
Article
Pharma’s digital Rx: Quantum computing in drug research and development
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Quantum computing’s ability to simulate larger, more complex molecules could be game changing. Pharmaceutical companies...
The current state of quantum computing: Between hype and revolution
Blog Post
The current state of quantum computing: Between hype and revolution
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Current research indicates that quantum computing is on the...
How quantum computing could change financial services
Article
How quantum computing could change financial services
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Fully scaled quantum technology is still a way off, but some banks are already thinking ahead to the potential value.
Will quantum computing drive the automotive future?
Article
Will quantum computing drive the automotive future?
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As quantum computing comes closer to reality, automotive players are exploring its potential.
Quantum computing is coming
Blog Post
Quantum computing is coming: How can your company prepare?
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Quantum computing is still in its infancy, but its potential for solving business problems is significant. Companies can take...
A game plan for quantum computing
Article - McKinsey Quarterly
A game plan for quantum computing
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Thanks to technology advances, some companies may reap real gains from quantum computing within five years. What should you do...