Nvidia (NVDA) CEO Signals Quantum Inflection Point

Nvidia (NVDA, Financials) CEO Jensen Huang said Wednesday that quantum computing is at an inflection point, signaling a more optimistic stance toward the emerging technology.

Speaking at the companys GTC Paris developer conference, Huang said quantum systems could soon be applied to solve complex problems across sectors like science, finance and medicine. We are within reach, he said, referring to practical applications in the next few years.

Huang cited Nvidias own work on Cuda Q, a hybrid quantum-classical solution, as a key part of the companys push into quantum. He also acknowledged Europes growing role in the sector, referencing a recent meeting with French quantum startup Pasqal.

The shift in tone comes after Huang previously downplayed near-term expectations, saying in 2023 that a 20-year timeline was more realistic. Those remarks had led to a decline in shares of companies like Rigetti (RGTI, Financials) and IonQ (IONQ, Financials), though both were up in U.S. premarket trading Monday following recent developments. IonQ, for example, acquired Oxford Ionics for $1.1 billion.

The comments also follow Googles progress on error correction in quantum chips, announced last year with the rollout of its Willow processor.

Investors may view Huangs revised stance as a sign that Nvidia could deepen its investment in quantum computing infrastructure and tools.

Nvidias next earnings report and further disclosures about its quantum roadmap will be closely watched by investors.