The Quantum Era Is Your Business Ready?

From the factory worker calculating each product one by one with pen and paper, to the computer using tools like Microsoft Excel to automate calculations, and now onward to the quantum computer — able to evaluate millions of demand, supply and cost combinations simultaneously to find the optimal outcome in seconds — we have come a long way. We are now moving at lightspeed to develop technologies that solve large-scale personal and business problems at a moment’s notice.

Quantum computing can be defined as a new computing paradigm that leverages the laws of quantum mechanics to provide significant performance improvements for certain applications and to enable new frontiers in computing, compared with existing classical systems. It becomes essential when problems grow too complex or too large for today’s machines.

Bits vs Qubits: The Core Distinction

Classical computing works in binaries, generating bits that function like electrical switches with two states: 1 (ON) and 0 (OFF). Quantum computers generate and manipulate quantum bits, or qubits, which behave more like a ceiling fan running at multiple speeds — occupying multiple states at once. Thus, qubits can represent numerous combinations of 1 and 0 simultaneously, enabling quantum computers to crunch through many possible outcomes at the same time.

Consider computing applied to voting: a classical computer would ask each voter one by one, while a quantum computer could listen to everyone at once. Or, imagine finding the best route for a delivery driver; a classical computer might test streets sequentially, but a quantum computer could explore all possible streets in the city simultaneously to find the shortest path in a fraction of the time.

Why it Matters to Business

Artificial intelligence has automated many business processes and transformed numerous industries. Quantum computing becomes important where business decisions involve a vast number of variables, outcomes depend on probability, or — most critically — where significant optimisation is required to stay relevant in the market.

Quantum technology is currently in early-stage development and research, but McKinsey projects quantum computing companies will generate $28 billion-$72 billion in revenue by 2030. Companies are already earning an estimated $650 million in revenue in 2024. Startup investment in quantum technology grew by 50 per cent year on year to $2 billion in 2024. Major technology giants, including IBM, Google and Microsoft, have announced significant breakthroughs in processor performance and scalability.

It is only a matter of time before quantum processors become the norm, and industries will have to adapt by adding a quantum layer to their existing computing systems.

Practical Applications

One industry where quantum computing could be massively impactful in the near term is pharmaceuticals. Quantum simulations could accelerate research and development and drug discovery, where large molecular datasets can be processed to understand specific interactions and chemical processes. This could create a global market opportunity of roughly $15 billion-$30 billion.

The automobile industry has already started using quantum technology: Volkswagen and Daimler are applying it to simulate the chemical composition of electric-vehicle batteries to improve performance. Airbus provides another example, using quantum computing to calculate the most fuel-efficient ascent and descent paths for aircraft.

In early stages, quantum computing may be used to solve optimisation problems (logistics, scheduling), financial simulations, cybersecurity and analytics, among others. Soon, however, its applications will broaden to areas such as drug discovery and personalised medicine, climate modelling and energy systems, and the early detection of potential disease outbreaks.

What Can You do to be Quantum- Ready?

Educate: Focus on building quantum literacy across your organisation. Global bodies such as Global Quantum Education, and Indian organisations including QpiAI, QNu Academy and the Bharat Tech Foundation, offer courses to develop a quantum-ready workforce.

Identify specific problems that involve complex optimisation. Empower and educate the relevant departments to create a strategy for applying quantum technology. Many specialist firms, such as Deloitte and LTI Mindtree, offer strategy and implementation services.

Invest in quantum-safe cybersecurity: The rise of quantum computing brings new digital threats that could exploit its speed to decrypt software and breach data. This creates a pressing need to adopt new, quantum-safe encryption methods.

Collaborate: Partner with academic institutions and non-profits in India to develop indigenous quantum infrastructure. This allows industry to gain expertise, research patents and lower-cost solutions without building all capabilities in-house. The Indian Institute of Science and the IITs are already engaged in cutting-edge quantum research.

Quantum computing remains a niche technology, with conversations largely confined to academia and research labs — but so once were the internet and artificial intelligence. Quantum technology will soon shape business models, regulations and markets. It is not merely a technical curiosity, but a strategic frontier that will profoundly redefine competitive advantage.

We now have the opportunity to prepare, sufficiently early, for the next era of computing: the quantum era.