Industry Shifts from Experimentation to Commercialization
The survey, encompassing 115 participants from 82 leading quantum computing firms, reveals a pivotal shift in market dynamics. In 2025, 42% of companies anticipate quantum-related revenues growing by over 25%, up from 37% the previous year. Concurrently, the percentage of firms expecting stagnant revenues has sharply declined from 26% to 10%, signaling that quantum computing is beginning to demonstrate tangible business value.
Infrastructure Evolution: The Rise of On-Premises Solutions
As the technology matures, enterprise preferences are evolving. While cloud-based quantum access initially dominated due to its scalability and convenience, organizations are increasingly investing in on-premises systems. Projections indicate that on-prem installations will account for 46% of the quantum market by 2027, up from 31% in 2026. This shift reflects growing demand for utility-class quantum systems capable of handling mission-critical workloads where data sovereignty, latency, and hardware control are paramount.
High-Potential Applications Emerge
The survey highlights several sectors where quantum computing shows exceptional promise:
- Chemistry and Materials Science (49%) lead as the most anticipated application area.
- Pharmaceuticals (35%) have seen a significant uptick in interest, rising from 21% in just one year.
- Finance (21%), however, has experienced declining enthusiasm as classical computing continues to meet many industry needs.
In terms of computational focus, modeling and simulation remain the dominant revenue driver, followed closely by hybrid quantum-classical systems, optimization algorithms, and quantum-enhanced AI/machine learning.
The Road to Quantum Utility
While optimism prevails, challenges remain. Over half of respondents believe utility-class quantum systems—capable of supporting production-level applications—will emerge within two to five years, with 8% asserting they already exist. However, concerns linger:
- Nearly 50% warn of a potential “quantum winter,” marked by reduced R&D investment.
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47% fear that the rapid advancement of large language models (LLMs) and generative AI could divert funding and attention from quantum initiatives.
As the industry navigates these uncertainties, one trend is clear: quantum computing is no longer a futuristic concept but an emerging reality with transformative potential across multiple sectors. The coming years will determine whether it can sustain its momentum and deliver on its long-promised breakthroughs.
