Computer scientists: what is your honest opinion on quantum computing today?

Computer scientists and researchers in a May 2026 discussion tempered hype around quantum computing, emphasizing its long-term potential but cautioning against near-term overpromises. Many noted the field remains in a foundational research phase. The most exciting applications cited include quantum chemistry for material science, optimization for logistics, and cryptography—though only if error correction and scalability improve. Shor’s algorithm for factoring and Grover’s search remain theoretical benchmarks. Hardware fragility, error rates, and qubit coherence were universally named as the biggest obstacles. Current NISQ (Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum) devices lack the reliability for practical use beyond niche experiments. Most experts agreed quantum computing won’t achieve broad practical importance within 10 years, though specialized applications could emerge in 15–20 years if key breakthroughs occur in error mitigation and architecture. Skepticism dominated marketing claims, with researchers stressing incremental progress over revolutionary leaps. Cross-disciplinary collaboration between physicists and computer scientists was highlighted as critical for advancing the field.