Quantum Means Business: New Study Finds Organizations Expect Up to 20x ROI from Quantum Optimization Investments

Rhea-AI Summary

D-Wave Quantum has released a study showing a significant expected return on investment (ROI) from quantum computing. Surveying over 300 commercial quantum computing decision-makers in the US and EU, the findings reveal that 21% plan to use quantum computing at a production level within 12-18 months. This is a 50% increase from two years ago. Businesses foresee a combined potential financial impact of up to $51.5 billion, with individual organizations anticipating a 10 to 20 times ROI. Key areas poised for improvement include business process efficiencies, revenue enhancement, and innovation. The study was announced at D-Wave's Qubits 2024 user conference.

Positive

• 21% of businesses plan production-level use of quantum computing in the next 12-18 months.
• Expected combined financial impact of up to $51.5 billion.
• Individual companies anticipate a 10 to 20 times ROI on quantum investments.
• Increased recognition of quantum computing's business value, with a 50% rise in adoption plans.
• Quantum optimization is expected to enhance efficiencies, increase revenues, and drive innovation.
• Key areas for quantum optimization include finance, supply-chain management, and manufacturing.

Negative

• High annual investment requirement of $3 to $6 million per company for quantum optimization.
• Survey findings are based on a small subset of 300 businesses, which may not represent the broader market.

Financial Analyst

The projections of a $51.5 billion impact from quantum optimization efforts highlight the substantial economic potential of this emerging technology. Companies projecting an ROI of 10-20% from these investments indicates significant financial gains, assuming the technology performs as expected. However, it’s essential for investors to approach these estimates cautiously, as quantum computing is still an evolving field and the timeline for realizing these returns could be longer than anticipated.

Long-term commitments of $3-$6 million annually per company suggest a substantial budget allocation, reflecting a high level of confidence in the technology's potential. This can be interpreted as a bullish signal for companies like D-Wave that are pioneering in the quantum computing space. Investors should also consider the broader market adoption trends, with a 50% increase in planned production-level use over the next 12-18 months, indicating increasing market confidence. However, while these figures are promising, the actual financial outcomes will depend heavily on technological advancements and practical implementations.

Tech Expert

Quantum optimization holds promise for drastically improving business processes by leveraging quantum computing's unique capabilities to solve complex problems faster than classical computers. The survey indicates that performance improvements on key workloads are a significant driver for adoption, suggesting that enterprises expect tangible benefits from integrating quantum solutions. Notably, specific areas like finance, supply-chain management and manufacturing are cited as primary beneficiaries, which could lead to enhanced efficiencies and cost savings.

However, quantum computing is still in its nascent stage. The theoretical potential is enormous, but practical, scalable solutions are just beginning to emerge. The interest from senior management and technical teams alike is a positive sign, indicating a holistic organizational commitment. Yet, the unpredictability of tech advancements means that the expected ROI might not be realized uniformly across all sectors. Industries looking to invest should be aware of the current technological limitations and keep an eye on ongoing research and development activities.

Market Research Analyst

The reported increase in organizations planning production-level use of quantum computing by 50% over the past two years signals a significant market trend. This forecast of widespread adoption within 12-18 months could accelerate market growth and solidify quantum computing’s role in business strategy. Importantly, the emphasis on enhancing existing business processes rather than building new applications suggests that companies are looking for immediate, practical benefits rather than speculative, long-term projects.

Investors should consider the implications of such rapid adoption rates. While early adopters may gain competitive advantages, there is also a risk of overestimating short-term returns. The survey’s focus on efficiency, revenue increases and innovation as primary benefits underscores that businesses are seeking quantifiable outcomes from quantum investments. It’s important for investors to monitor how these anticipated benefits translate into real-world results and whether these companies can meet their optimistic ROI projections amid technological and operational challenges.

Over 21% plan production-level use of quantum computing over next 12-18 months, a 50% increase over the past two years

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) (“D-Wave” or the “Company”), a leader in quantum computing systems, software, and services, and the world’s first commercial supplier of quantum computers, announced the results of a new study today that reveals a majority of surveyed businesses actively using quantum computing foresee an exceptional return on investment (ROI) from their quantum optimization efforts — with an expected combined potential positive financial impact to reach up to an estimated $51.5 billion.

Announced at D-Wave’s global Qubits 2024 user conference, these findings are detailed in a new D-Wave-commissioned report conducted by high-performance computing analyst group Hyperion Research in May and June 2024. The firm polled over 300 commercial quantum computing enterprise decision makers across the United States and select European Union countries that are exploring quantum optimization of key business processes within the next 12 to 18 months.

Significant ROI Expected From Quantum Optimization

Out of the 300 users polled, 290 reported that they each expected to make a long-term annual commitment of $3 to $6 million toward quantum optimization initiatives — with anticipated estimated benefits of $60 to $65 million each— resulting in an impressive ROI of 10 to 20 times the initial investment. These benefits represent an estimated $51.5 billion, and the survey includes only a small subset of the overall business community likely to adopt quantum optimization. This anticipated ROI provides a glimpse into the immense potential of quantum optimization to drive significant business improvements and value creation across industries.

Accelerating Production-Level Applications for Efficiencies, Revenue, and Innovation

The 2024 survey also reveals a significant uptick in quantum adoption planning, with 21% of survey respondents either currently using or planning to put quantum technology into production within the next 12 to 18 months. This represents a 50% increase in adoption plans over findings in Hyperion Research’s 2022 report, which D-Wave believes indicates growing recognition of quantum computing’s real-world business value.

Respondents view investing in quantum optimization as a promising strategy for enhancing business process efficiencies, which was named as the top benefit of quantum optimization by almost a quarter of respondents (24%), followed by increasing revenues (20%), and driving innovation (14%). These findings also emphasize the importance quantum holds for organizations looking at optimizing finance-oriented areas (17%), supply-chain management (16%) and manufacturing (14%).

Businesses Expect Practical, Performance-Driven Results

According to the survey, respondents identified performance improvements on key workloads as the most significant organizational driver for quantum computing adoption. Not only technical staff, but also senior management teams are now advocating for quantum computing adoption within their organizations, reflecting a growing enterprise-wide appetite for quantum. What’s more, users indicated they are putting their priorities on enhancing existing business processes over the building of new quantum-based applications.

“The results of our 2024 survey present a recurring theme: Businesses are not merely interested in exploring the potential of quantum technologies but are now actively pursuing quantum solutions for their real-world problems,” said Bob Sorensen, senior vice president of research and chief analyst for quantum computing at Hyperion Research. “There’s a notable mindset shift reflected in the survey that speaks to the recognition that quantum optimization is ready to deliver substantially on those much-desired benefits.”

“In my view, the data is clear: quantum computing has arrived as a critical business imperative,” said Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave. “Those who proactively embrace this technology and invest in optimization efforts stand to reap significant rewards. The anticipated gains and ROI projections paint a compelling picture of a possible near-term future where quantum computing becomes a fundamental driver of business success.”

About the Survey

Hyperion Research conducted the study on behalf of D-Wave to survey to better understand the challenges and opportunities experienced by commercial end users currently exploring or planning to explore the optimization of key business processes using quantum computing. The survey targeted enterprise decision-makers who are deeply involved in their company’s strategic technology planning across numerous industry verticals such as software and internet, manufacturing, retail, financial services, chemicals, healthcare, insurance, telecommunications, automotive, transportation, plus oil and gas. Respondents' organization headquarters covered the U.S., the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.

To download the full survey results from Hyperion Research, visit: https://www.dwavesys.com/robust-exploration-and-growing-use-of-business-process-optimization-using-quantum-computing/

About D-Wave Quantum Inc.

D-Wave is a leader in the development and delivery of quantum computing systems, software, and services, and is the world’s first commercial supplier of quantum computers—and the only company building both annealing quantum computers and gate-model quantum computers. Our mission is to unlock the power of quantum computing today to benefit business and society. We do this by delivering customer value with practical quantum applications for problems as diverse as logistics, artificial intelligence, materials sciences, drug discovery, scheduling, cybersecurity, fault detection, and financial modeling. D-Wave’s technology has been used by some of the world’s most advanced organizations including Mastercard, Deloitte, Davidson Technologies, ArcelorMittal, Siemens Healthineers, Unisys, NEC Corporation, Pattison Food Group Ltd., DENSO, Lockheed Martin, Forschungszentrum Jülich, University of Southern California, and Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements and may not be indicative of future results. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among others, various factors beyond management’s control, including the risks set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” discussed under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part I of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or any updates discussed under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part II of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this press release in making an investment decision, which are based on information available to us on the date hereof. We undertake no duty to update this information unless required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240618209520/en/

D-Wave

Alex Daigle

media@dwavesys.com

Source: D-Wave Quantum Inc.

FAQ

What is the expected ROI from quantum optimization investments according to D-Wave's study?

Companies expect a 10 to 20 times return on investment (ROI) from quantum optimization initiatives.

How much financial impact do businesses anticipate from quantum optimization?

Businesses foresee a combined potential financial impact of up to $51.5 billion from quantum optimization.

What percentage of businesses plan to use quantum computing at a production level within the next 12-18 months?

21% of businesses plan to use quantum computing at a production level within the next 12-18 months.

What is the increase in quantum computing adoption plans over the past two years?

There has been a 50% increase in quantum computing adoption plans over the past two years.

What are the primary benefits expected from quantum optimization according to the survey?

The primary benefits expected from quantum optimization are enhanced efficiencies, increased revenues, and driving innovation.