Quantum Computing: From Hype to Reality with D-Wave's CEO

Quantum computing is a technology that has been surrounded by hype for years, with some experts even claiming that it will be 'bigger than fire.' However, one company that has managed to make substantial progress in this field is D-Wave, a pioneer in quantum computing with clients such as BASF, Deloitte, Mastercard, and GlaxoSmithKline. In a recent interview with VentureBeat, D-Wave CEO Alan Baratz shares his insights on the current state of quantum computing and its real-world applications. Baratz has an impressive background, including his time as the first president of Javasoft at Sun Microsystems, where he was responsible for bringing Java technology to market and building the developer ecosystem. He sees similarities between that experience and his work at D-Wave, as both involved creating a new industry and building a new ecosystem. However, quantum computing represents a more significant challenge due to its radically new concept and a fundamental technology divide. This divide is apparent in the two different ways of building quantum computers: quantum annealing and gate models. Baratz explains that D-Wave's approach, quantum annealing, is closer to commercial viability and has enabled them to work with real-world clients. In contrast, gate model-based quantum computing is still mainly focused on government research grants and academic institutions. Baratz believes that while the hype around quantum computing may be excessive, the technology's potential is undeniable and that D-Wave's approach is a critical step toward turning that potential into reality.