The quantum computing industry has moved out of the laboratories of academic institutions and U.S. DOE National Laboratories and into the startup space, ready to make the leap to commercial viability. As the leader of among the world’s most advanced quantum computing companies, Quantinuum President and CEO Dr. Rajeeb Hazra offered his view on the quantum industry and its future societal impact.
Dr. Rajeeb Hazra, President and CEO of Quantinuum, leads one of the world’s foremost quantum computing companies. He opened his presentation by posing three critical questions that will shape the future of his organization: Where will quantum computing take us as a global society? How will quantum computing be realized? And what is Quantinuum’s role in that journey?
“Quantum computing rests on the ingenuity of mankind. AI cannot replace that.”
Dr. Rajeeb “Raj” Hazra
President and CEO
Quantinuum
Quantinuum stands out as a powerhouse in the quantum industry, employing 570 individuals across multiple countries, including 420 PhDs. As the largest quantum employer in both Colorado and New Mexico, more than eighty of its employees hold degrees from institutions in Colorado and New Mexico. However, he asserted that for the Mountain West to fully realize its potential, it must significantly scale up its production of quantum talent — by ten or even a hundred times — given the anticipated growth in the industry.
Founded in 2021 as a spin-off from Honeywell, Quantinuum is dedicated not only to building quantum computers but also to developing software that runs on these machines and creating developer tools to enable others to write their own quantum programs. According to Dr. Hazra, Qaantinuum's software team may not single-handedly change the world, but it provides essential tools for those who will.
Quantinuum currently operates five quantum computers — not mere prototypes or “toys,” but fully operational machines solving real problems for clients. Yet, he highlighted that the company’s most valuable assets are its people. Dr. Hazra believes that if the company were to lose a computer or fall behind in technology, it could recover. However, without talent, its prospects for success would be bleak. He underscored that whether quantum technology transforms the world or remains a niche with limited applications depends on the ability to develop a skilled workforce to support the industry. This talent shortage is a concern for Dr. Hazra, leading him to adopt unconventional strategies to address it.
Quantinuum maintains small offices worldwide; while this may seem inefficient, having an office in Munich, for instance, becomes essential if the best quantum scientists are located there. Furthermore, the company actively invests in early workforce development, even publishing picture books to teach basic quantum principles to children and sponsoring quantum hackathons. Dr. Hazra views these strategies integral to his company’s long-term success.
Assuming the workforce challenge is met, Dr. Hazra sees vast opportunities for quantum computing to drive transformative change, likening its potential impact to that of microscopes in biology. Quantum computers, by accurately representing objects as they are in nature, can enhance understanding and provide artificial intelligence with data that has been previously inaccessible, significantly expanding its capabilities.
In closing, Dr. Hazra reaffirmed Quantinuum's commitment to developing its quantum ecosystem and workforce in the Mountain West. He noted that achieving this vision is not a task his company can accomplish alone; it requires the collective effort of the entire innovation ecosystem to build a sustainable and prosperous quantum community. If successful, the rewards could be substantial.
