Subvolts take Quantum computing is growing fast, with hybrid systems and sensing already impacting industries. Apr 30, 2026 - Developers
- Learn how quantum computing is evolving and its potential integration with AI for advanced algorithm development.
- Business
- Understand the real market growth and enterprise readiness of quantum technology, identifying early use cases in your industry.
This interview provides a realistic assessment of quantum technology's progress and its practical applications today.
#341 Celia Merzbacher: Beyond the Buzzword: The Real State of Quantum Computing, Sensing, and AI in 2025
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Summary and analysis by Subvolts editorial, AI-assisted.
Craig Smith interviews Celia Merzbacher on Eye on AI about the current state of quantum computing. Merzbacher, Executive Director of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium, discusses market growth, enterprise readiness, and the synergy between quantum and AI. She highlights hybrid systems and emerging use cases in pharmaceuticals, energy, finance, and defense, alongside the potential of quantum sensing.
Quantum computing is evolving beyond hype. Experts explain how it works with regular computers to solve tough problems and how quantum sensing is already used in areas like medical imaging and GPS.
This episode offers a grounded look at quantum technology's real progress beyond industry buzz. It's for business leaders and technologists exploring advanced computing's practical applications. Merzbacher's insights on hybrid systems and quantum sensing's commercialization connect to frontier labs' long-term research into more powerful computation and AI acceleration, areas where quantum could eventually play a role.
- HostCraig S. Smith
- GuestCelia MerzbacherExecutive Director, Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C)
- Guest: Celia Merzbacher, Executive Director of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C)
- Show: Eye on AI
- Episode Title: #341 Celia Merzbacher: Beyond the Buzzword: The Real State of Quantum Computing, Sensing, and AI in 2025
- Quantum Market Revenue Growth: Roughly 27% year over year
- Future Computing Model: Hybrid systems combining quantum and classical computers
- Emerging Quantum Use Cases: Pharmaceuticals, energy, finance, and defense
What does the quantum industry actually look like right now, beneath all the hype?
In this episode of Eye on AI, Craig Smith sits down with Celia Merzbacher, Executive Director of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C), to break down the real state of quantum technology in 2025. From market growth and enterprise readiness to the growing intersection with AI, Celia brings a grounded insider perspective on where the industry stands and what comes next.
Celia explains why the quantum market is growing faster than even the companies inside it predicted, with revenues rising roughly 27% year over year and actual numbers consistently beating forecasts. She also makes clear that the future is not quantum replacing classical computers. It is hybrid systems combining both to solve problems that simply cannot be solved today, with early use cases already emerging in pharmaceuticals, energy, finance, and defense.
We also get into quantum sensing, the most underrated corner of the quantum world. From biomedical imaging already in clinical trials to quantum clocks powering GPS and financial transaction timestamping, sensing is already partially commercialized and quietly reshaping industries most people have never connected to quantum at all.
Finally, Celia addresses the AI question directly. Will AI replace quantum? No. The two are complementary. AI is already accelerating quantum hardware design and algorithm discovery, and quantum may eventually improve how AI systems are trained. She closes with a clear message for enterprise leaders: the transition to quantum will not be a migration. It will be a paradigm shift, and the time to start preparing is now.
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Timestamp:
(00:00) Introduction: What Is QED-C and Why Does It Exist?
(01:57) Celia Merzbacher on Her Background and Role
(04:32) Annual Market Survey: How Fast Is Quantum Actually Growing?
(09:10) Where Quantum Revenue Is Coming From Today
(11:11) Timeline and the Race to Utility-Scale Quantum Computing
(13:23) Early Use Cases: Pharma, Energy, Finance and Hybrid Computing
(16:14) What Is Quantum Sensing and Why It Matters
(20:39) The Three Pillars: Hardware, Error Correction and Algorithms
(27:40) How Enterprises Should Start Preparing for Quantum Now (38:39) AI and Quantum: Allies Not Competitors
- Quantum Computing
- Celia Merzbacher
- A new type of computer that uses quantum mechanics to perform calculations, potentially solving problems impossible for today's computers.
- Hybrid Systems
- Celia Merzbacher
- Computers that combine traditional (classical) computing power with quantum computing power to tackle complex tasks.
- Quantum Sensing
- Celia Merzbacher
- Using quantum effects to create highly sensitive measurement devices for applications like medical imaging or precise timing.
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Questions people ask
- What is the current state of the quantum market?
- The quantum market is growing faster than predicted, with revenues rising approximately 27% year over year and consistently exceeding forecasts.
- How will quantum computers be used in the future?
- The future involves hybrid systems combining quantum and classical computers to solve problems currently unsolvable, with early use cases emerging in pharmaceuticals, energy, finance, and defense.
Page generated Oct 19, 2026. Summaries are Subvolts' own; the audio, artwork and notes belong to Craig S. Smith.