Quantum Computer News: Kathy Wood Highlights the Long Road to Practical Technology Implementation

ARK Invest founder Cathy Wood has provided a new outlook on the timeline for the commercialization of quantum computers. This remains one of the most frequently asked questions in the tech industry, reflecting strong interest from investors and entrepreneurs.

According to Odaily, Wood points out that current quantum computing technology is still in its early stages. While extensive research is ongoing, she analyzes that it will still take considerable time before commercial applications that impact society and industry actually emerge.

Surprising Outlook from ARK Invest Founder

Cathy Wood has offered a specific prediction regarding the practical deployment of quantum computers. She estimates that true commercial applications are likely to appear in the market between the mid-2040s and the mid-2060s. This implies that 15 to 40 years of investment and development will be necessary moving forward.

What’s interesting is her experience throughout her career. She recalls that in this industry, it has always been said that “quantum computer commercialization is 20 years away.” Spending many years in this field, she notes that this outlook has remained almost unchanged, and the “moving goalpost” situation continues.

Commercialization Expected in the 2040s–2060s, but Challenges Remain

In her latest assessment, Wood estimates that true commercial applications are still about 19 years away. That points to around 2045 as a key target period. This timeline suggests a critical turning point where quantum computers shift from being purely research subjects to tools that companies and society can actually utilize.

Currently, quantum computing technology is advancing rapidly, but many technical challenges remain, including error correction, qubit stability, and scalability. Overcoming these hurdles will require further innovative research and development.

Why Industry Continues to Say “20 Years Away”

Wood’s observations highlight structural issues within the entire quantum computer industry. While technological innovation progresses rapidly, actual commercialization often takes longer than expected, a pattern that has repeated itself. This phenomenon is common across emerging technologies and indicates a persistent gap between expectations and reality.

For investors and companies, understanding this realistic timeline is crucial when making decisions related to quantum computing. Evaluating the maturity of the technology from a long-term perspective, rather than focusing solely on short-term results, will be key to success.