Google Quantum Executive Predicts Breakthrough in Five Years
Mountain View, CA – March 25, 2025 – A top executive from Google’s Quantum AI division has sparked excitement in the tech world with a bold prediction: quantum computing could be just five years away from delivering a transformative breakthrough. Julian Kelly, Director of Hardware at Google Quantum AI, shared this optimistic timeline in a recent interview with CNBC, hinting at a future where quantum computers could tackle problems beyond the reach of today’s most powerful machines.
Kelly’s comments come as the race to harness quantum computing intensifies, with tech giants and startups alike vying to unlock its potential. Unlike classical computers, which process information using bits as either 0s or 1s, quantum computers leverage the strange properties of quantum mechanics—such as superposition and entanglement—to perform calculations at unprecedented speeds. While the technology has long been heralded as revolutionary, practical applications have remained elusive, confined largely to research labs.
“We’re at a tipping point,” Kelly told CNBC. “Five years from now, we could see real-world applications that are only possible with quantum computers.” He pointed to advancements in hardware stability and error correction as key drivers of this progress, suggesting that Google’s ongoing efforts could soon bear fruit. The company has been a pioneer in the field, notably achieving “quantum supremacy” in 2019 when its Sycamore processor completed a task in minutes that would have taken a classical supercomputer thousands of years.
Industry experts see Kelly’s prediction as ambitious yet plausible. Quantum computing could revolutionize fields like cryptography, drug discovery, and climate modeling by solving complex problems that are currently intractable. For instance, pharmaceutical companies could use quantum simulations to design new drugs faster, while financial institutions might optimize portfolios with unparalleled precision. However, skeptics caution that significant hurdles remain, including the need to scale up quantum systems and reduce error rates in real-world conditions.
Google isn’t alone in its optimism. Earlier this year, Hartmut Neven, head of Google Quantum AI, echoed a similar sentiment, suggesting that quantum computers could deliver unique solutions within half a decade. Yet, not all leaders align on the timeline. Google CEO Sundar Pichai has previously estimated a slightly longer horizon of five to ten years for “practically useful” quantum machines, highlighting the uncertainty still surrounding the field.
The stakes are high. A genuine breakthrough could cement Google’s leadership in a technology poised to redefine computing. Competitors like IBM, Microsoft, and numerous quantum-focused startups are also making strides, each aiming to claim a piece of this emerging market. Meanwhile, governments worldwide are investing heavily, viewing quantum technology as a strategic asset with implications for national security and economic dominance.
For now, Kelly’s five-year forecast offers a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come. As Google continues to refine its quantum hardware and algorithms, the world watches closely. If his prediction holds true, 2030 could mark the dawn of a new era—one where quantum computing moves from theoretical promise to practical reality, reshaping industries and solving some of humanity’s toughest challenges.
