The Future is Quantum: Are We Ready? 

Quantum computing sounds like science fiction—and to some extent, it still is. But this tech is quickly moving from theoretical physics labs to real-world development. 

Are you ready for it? Are any of us really ready? 

Synextra Consultant, Matt, and Principal Architect, Elliott, enjoyed a wide-ranging discussion about what quantum computing could mean for all of us in our latest Experts in Polo Shirts podcast episode. You can enjoy the video below, or read on to find out more. 

Remember, though: this is light-hearted speculation about technology that’s still highly experimental and shrouded in secrecy. Some of what we’re discussing is effectively science fiction, and with development happening behind closed doors, it’s impossible to be completely accurate about these claims. 

But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to figure it all out. Here’s what we know so far. 

As Elliott explains in the podcast, imagine your laptop’s CPU as a really fast light switch—it can turn on (1) or off (0), processing these states one at a time. Quantum computing throws that rulebook out the window. It can be on, off, or both simultaneously. 

Matt’s coin flip analogy captures it perfectly: while a normal computer sees heads or tails when the coin lands, a quantum computer works with the coin while it’s spinning in the air—neither heads nor tails, but both at once. Now imagine multiple coins spinning together, all interconnected. That’s the mind-bending power of quantum computing. 

These machines don’t fit in your pocket, though. Current quantum computers are pretty massive, require liquid nitrogen cooling, and need their own purified air chambers. They’re so fragile that one accidental bump could cause millions in damage. You don’t want to wander round the data centre carrying a mug of coffee, that’s for sure. 

The quantum race is heating up, with tech giants pouring billions into development. Microsoft recently made waves with their Majorana 1 announcement, unveiling what they claim is the world’s first quantum processor powered by ‘topological qubits’. 

Unlike other quantum approaches that are highly susceptible to environmental noise, topological qubits promise to be inherently more stable—like tying information in a knot that can’t easily come undone. 

Microsoft’s refined prototype chip roughly fits in your palm—though it does still need a room full of supporting equipment to function. 

Google may have had an early lead, but Microsoft’s massive investment in cloud infrastructure and their partnership with Atom Computing positions them as a likely frontrunner. As Elliott notes, Microsoft’s massive market capitalisation and commitment to cloud computing make them a really strong player in this space. 

The numbers are pretty huge: global annual quantum investments are now estimated to exceed $4 billion, with cumulative public funding reaching at least $44.5 billion and private investment between $5-7 billion as of mid-2025. These aren’t speculative venture capital bets; this is serious money from governments and corporations betting on the quantum future coming to life. 

So what can we actually do with all this quantum power? The use cases are starting to crystallise: 

• Big Pharma stands to benefit enormously, using quantum computing for drug discovery and DNA sequencing. Imagine designing new medicines in months rather than years. 

• Aerospace engineering could revolutionise flight modelling and design, crunching complex aerodynamic calculations that would take traditional computers years. 

• Environmental modelling becomes far more accurate. That wind farm company we recently spoke with? They could model air patterns with unprecedented precision. 

• AI and machine learning get a massive boost. If AI with current computing power already rivals Einstein’s IQ, what happens when we give it quantum capabilities? 

• Financial modelling: Portfolio optimisation and risk analysis at scales impossible today. Quantum computers could analyse millions of market scenarios simultaneously, revolutionising how we understand and predict economic patterns. 

• Materials science: Designing new materials atom by atom—from ultra-efficient solar panels to superconductors that work at room temperature. The same quantum mechanics that makes these computers work could help us understand and create matter in ways we’ve only dreamed of. 

But you probably shouldn’t expect your local Burger King to need quantum computing anytime soon. This technology is for massive data crunching, not everyday tasks. 

Here’s where things get a little bit scary. Current encryption methods that protect everything from your online banking to government secrets could crumble in the face of quantum computing. An SSL certificate that would take traditional computers years to crack? A quantum computer might break it in minutes. 

The implications are potentially massive. As Elliott points out, a nation-state with quantum capabilities could theoretically “walk through any encryption anywhere” and “take over the digital landscape of the world overnight.” Your VPNs, firewalls, and security certificates are all potentially vulnerable. 

There’s some hope here though: the same quantum power that can break encryption could also create new, quantum-resistant security. We’re in a race between the lock-breakers and the lock-makers, with the stakes being nothing less than global digital security. 

Before we panic about the quantum apocalypse, let’s talk reality. These amazing machines are facing some enormous challenges: 

• Cost: While we have to guess at exact pricing, the operational costs are likely to be astronomical. Between the liquid helium cooling systems, the specialised facilities, the expert staff, and the sheer energy consumption, we’re looking at costs that could make today’s mega GPU clusters seem budget-friendly. Early adopters might face usage fees that only governments and Fortune 500 companies can justify. 

• Fragility: These aren’t robust data centre servers you can hot-swap. Quantum computers operate near absolute zero (-273°C), using microscopic components where even tiny vibrations or electromagnetic interference can destroy quantum states. The cooling systems alone involve intricate networks of pipes carrying liquid helium: one accidental knock could mean weeks of recalibration and millions in repairs. 

• Infrastructure: Forget server rooms—quantum computers need their own specially designed halls with purified air and extreme isolation. We’re talking about facilities that combine the requirements of a clean room, a physics lab, and a data centre. Electromagnetic shielding, vibration dampening, temperature control precise to fractions of a degree… it’s more like building a research lab than installing a PC. 

• Skills gap: The quantum era is going to need a fundamental shift in expertise. Where traditional cloud computing needs IT pros who understand infrastructure and deployment, quantum computing needs a different calibre of expert. We’re talking physicists who grasp quantum mechanics, mathematicians who can work with quantum algorithms, and engineers who understand cryogenics. It’s a collision of computer science and theoretical physics that’s creating an entirely new category of professional. 

As for timelines, many experts suggest we’re 5-10 years away from practical quantum computing. But something else might slip in before then that upends everyone’s expectations—technology definitely has ways of surprising us. 

And of course, we have to discuss the societal impacts of all this. The threats are similar to the fears we’ve seen around AI. While AI initially threatened lower-skilled jobs, quantum computing could also displace highly skilled professionals. Investment managers using complex algorithms? Quantum could do it better. Financial modelling? Dead easy for quantum systems. 

There’s a real concern about wealth concentration. As Elliott points out, if quantum computing is controlled primarily by private entities, “the average person is probably never going to benefit from quantum computing.” The technology that unlocks massive value might only make existing inequalities worse. 

Could quantum computing actually “break the internet”? In theory, yes. If bad actors gained quantum capabilities before defences were ready, they could force ISPs, governments, and companies to take services offline rather than risk total compromise. It’s a doomsday scenario, but one that security experts are taking seriously. 

So where does this leave us? We’re standing at the edge of a technological revolution that could either unlock incredible human potential or create new vulnerabilities we’re not prepared for. 

For businesses, especially those of us in the cloud and tech space, it’ll soon be time to at least think about quantum-resistant security and how this technology might reshape our industry. We don’t need to become quantum physicists, but we do need basic literacy in what’s coming. 

For society, we need to grapple with tough questions about access, equity, and security. Who controls quantum computing? How do we ensure its benefits are shared? How do we protect against its risks? 

As Matt and Elliott conclude in their discussion, we might soon find ourselves in a world where traditional computing seems as quaint as dial-up internet. Whether that’s exciting or terrifying probably depends on whether or not you’re holding the quantum keys. 

At Synextra, we’re keeping a close eye on emerging technologies like quantum computing while helping our clients make the most of today’s cloud capabilities. Whether it’s current Azure solutions or preparing for the quantum future, we’re here to guide you through the complexity with a human touch. Get in touch if you’d like to learn more.