The Quantum Leap: Charting the Future of Computing

Richard Feynman, the iconic physicist and one of the progenitors of quantum computing, famously said in 1981: “Nature isn’t classical, dammit, and if you want to make a simulation of nature, you’d better make it quantum mechanical. And by golly, it’s a wonderful problem, because it doesn’t look so easy.” More than forty years later, his words remain true, but we are making tremendous progress in realizing his vision. 

For decades, conventional computing has driven technological progress. As we reach the physical limits of transistors and the end of Moore’s law, quantum computing is emerging as a promising next chapter. By leveraging quantum mechanical principles, such as superposition, entanglement and interference, to perform computations that are intractable for classical machines.. 

This shift isn’t just theoretical—it holds immense promise. Unlocking the potential of quantum computing is now a global effort, with governments, enterprises and researchers collectively investing resources with the goal of discovering breakthroughs in materials science, drug discovery, finance and beyond. 

The promise of quantum computing 

Quantum computing has the potential to disrupt many of the existing solutions in computer science, while making many of them incredibly faster and better. Much attention has been given to quantum computing’s impact on cryptography, as it threatens existing data encryption systems. This has led to significant research in the field and is a well-founded concern, but it’s just one part of a broader transformation. 

As Feynman noted, one of quantum computing’s greatest promises lies in simulating nature. Where classical computers struggle with modeling large, complex molecules, quantum computers can simulate these systems with atomic-level accuracy, opening doors for advances in drug design, catalysis, materials discovery and sustainability efforts. Beyond chemistry, quantum computing is poised to impact optimization, A.I. and finance, though these applications hinge on continued hardware and algorithmic development. 

The current landscape

Over the past decade, steady progress has been made in quantum hardware, algorithms and early-stage adoption. However, the field remains in its infancy, with persistent challenges in error correction, coherence, scalability and practical deployment. 

Recent breakthroughs have reinvigorated the field. In December 2024, Google unveiled the Willow quantum chip, empirically demonstrating that error correction is possible. QuEra exhibited early fault-tolerant quantum computing using a surface code implementation on neutral atoms, signaling an important step toward quantum computers that can perform calculations with very low error rates. AWS introduced Ocelot, a prototype quantum chip employing cat qubits technology that intrinsically suppresses bit flip errors, potentially increasing quantum error-correction efficiency by 90 percent. Together, these milestones mark critical steps toward fault-tolerant quantum computing.

As part of the broader global push toward scalable quantum computing, Fujitsu is taking a comprehensive approach to every layer of the quantum computing stack, developing two distinct hardware modalities: superconducting and diamond-spin. Drawing on its strong legacy in computing, these recent innovations aim to tackle both near-term and long-term computational challenges. These include a quantum-inspired digital annealer, a hardware accelerator designed to solve complex optimization problems like planning and scheduling; a 40-qubit quantum simulator, which uses classical high-performance computing to model quantum systems in ideal, error-free conditions; and a newly announced 256-qubit superconducting chip, which represents a significant leap toward practical quantum hardware.

To bridge the gap between today’s noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices and the fully fault-tolerant quantum computers (FTQC) of the future, Fujitsu has developed a novel architecture. Traditional quantum computing relies on logical Clifford gates and resource-intensive logical T-gates for specifically implementing arbitrary analog rotations. These gates form the building blocks of quantum algorithms, with T-gates typically being more resource-heavy. Combining the logical Clifford gate set with an error-suppressed analog rotation gate, thus significantly reducing qubit overhead, can optimize this process. This architecture can help to simulate the 8 x 8 Hubbard model—a computationally-intensive task for classical computers—using 40,000 physical qubits in under 10 hours, which would otherwise take five years on classical computers. 

Recognizing that quantum computing is still in its early stages, it’s essential to strike a balance between near-term progress and long-term vision. Unlike more commercially mature fields like A.I., the advancement of quantum computing continues to depend heavily on collaboration between academia and industry. Ongoing research into quantum algorithms and error-correcting codes is a critical part of moving the field toward scalable, fault-tolerant systems capable of delivering on quantum computing’s full promise.

A vision of the future

Quantum computing is not a panacea, nor was it ever meant to be. But its promise lies in its ability to complement classical systems and unlock new capabilities for solving complex scientific and industrial problems. Fujitsu’s offering, Computing as a Service (CaaS), is a cloud-based platform designed to democratize access to advanced computing, enabling researchers and organizations to harness powerful computational resources for solving complex scientific and industrial problems without significant upfront investments. Emerging platforms such as these are beginning to integrate high-performance computing, quantum-inspired technologies and nascent quantum hardware, broadening access and accelerating progress. As these systems evolve, they’re poised to play an essential role in tackling complex societal and industrial challenges. 

While fully fault-tolerant quantum computers remain a long-term goal, near-term gains can be found in algorithm development, simulation acceleration and collaborative research.

Key areas of progress include: 

• Developing hybrid quantum computing platforms: New systems are emerging that integrate quantum simulators with quantum porcessors. For example, a platform that integrates Fujitsu’s 64-qubit superconducting quantum computer with a 40-qubit quantum simulator allows users to leverage the strengths of both systems, enabling more accurate and efficient quantum computations.  
• Forging global collaborations: Partnerships with leading research institutions worldwide, like Fujitsu’s collaboration with TU Delft and QuTech, are key to addressing foundational challenges from qubit design to error correction.  
• Faster quantum simulations: Advances in simulation techniques have significantly accelerated quantum circuit computations, achieving speeds up to 200 times faster than previous methods. This progress facilitates large-scale quantum algorithm development, which is crucial for practical applications in materials discovery. 
• Launching educational and research initiatives: Collaborations with universities to establish quantum research centers and develop on-site quantum computers at academic institutions such as those underway with The Australian National University (ANU), are designed to foster innovation and cultivate a skilled quantum workforce.  

Integrating these efforts aims to realize the transformative potential of quantum computing, driving sustainable technological innovation. 

Challenges and roadblocks 

Achieving fully fault-tolerant quantum devices requires overcoming several key hurdles. Large-scale implementation will require hardware scalability, qubit stability, efficient quantum error correction, algorithmic advancements for devices bridging NISQ and FTQC eras, broader accessibility and talent development. 

Strategically positioned to overcome these challenges, Fujitsu is working on two different hardware modalities to ensure scalability and qubit stability, while exploring other modalities. This novel architecture is at the forefront of advancing quantum algorithms for the transitional phase between the NISQ and FTQC eras. Progress in this area will depend not only on scientific breakthroughs but also on strong partnerships with research institutions to drive innovation and build future generations of quantum computing experts. 

The quantum revolution is inevitable 

The successful realization of quantum computing requires collaborative efforts from governments, enterprises and academia, guided by robust policies and ethical principles. By fostering innovation, regulation and education, we can harness quantum computing’s transformative potential while mitigating risks, ensuring it serves both industry and society in a responsible and impactful way. 

Quantum computing, rooted in the very laws that govern the universe, is the next logical step in our technological evolution. Despite several roadblocks and challenges, the field is rapidly advancing, as governments invest billions and enterprises and academia make fundamental breakthroughs. Just as conventional computing once transformed industries and reshaped societies in the 20th century, quantum computing is poised to define the breakthroughs of the 21st century. The road ahead may not be easy, but as Feynman suggested, that is precisely what makes it a “wonderful problem” worth solving.