Quantum Computers Are About to Change Everything: 5 Strategic Industries Already Betting on Them - Futura, Le média qui explore le monde
Summarize this article with:
Home Quantum Computers Are About to Change Everything: 5 Strategic Industries Already Betting on Them Quantum Computers Are About to Change Everything: 5 Strategic Industries Already Betting on Them Category : Technology February 27, 2026 4 min Several industrial sectors are beginning to take advantage of quantum computing. © XD with ChatGPT Share facebook twitter linkedin newsletter Arnaud Pagès Journalist Xavier Demeersman Journalist For decades, quantum computing was confined to research labs, the preserve of physicists and mathematicians working at the very edge of theory. Today, it is edging into a new phase – one of pre industrial development – where concrete business applications are beginning to emerge. Thanks to its ability to process problems of staggering complexity, far beyond the reach of traditional machines, the quantum computer promises to reshape entire sectors of the global economy. Large scale use may still be limited, but several industries are already positioning themselves at the front of the pack. Here are five that are moving faster than the rest. Chemistry and pharmaceuticals: speeding up drug discovery In the pharmaceutical world, one major obstacle stands in the way of innovation: computing power. Accurately describing the interactions between atoms and electrons demands an astronomical number of calculations. Even the most advanced supercomputers struggle to handle this efficiently. Quantum simulation changes the game. By rapidly modelling complex proteins and chemical reactions, it can help researchers design a therapeutic molecule in a matter of days rather than months – and at significantly lower development cost. Roche is already working with Google Quantum AI to explore these possibilities. The partnership aims to prepare practical applications as the technology matures. For an industry where time quite literally saves lives, that acceleration could prove transformative. Finance: redefining risk management If there is one sector built on complex modelling, it is finance. Portfolio management, options pricing and risk management all rely on simulating an immense number of possible scenarios. Classical computers must test these combinations one by one, a slow and resource intensive process. Quantum systems, by contrast, leverage superposition and entanglement to evaluate millions of hypotheses simultaneously. The result? More efficient asset allocation, stronger resilience to economic shocks and faster, more precise automated arbitrage. In the United States, JP Morgan is testing a quantum optimisation algorithm designed to balance risk and return. It reportedly runs one thousand times faster than conventional computing methods. In Europe, BNP Paribas has partnered with IBM to explore how quantum tools can enhance risk analysis. Finance, it seems, is not waiting around. Energy: making grids smarter and greener As electrification accelerates, energy networks are becoming more interconnected and more complex. Add to that the unpredictable nature of solar and wind production, and the challenge becomes clear. A quantum computer can instantly explore a vast number of configurations to identify the optimal scenario. That means more accurate demand forecasting, better distribution of electricity and more efficient management of intermittent renewables. In France, EDF is already collaborating with quantum start ups to optimise grid management. In Italy, ENI is using quantum algorithms to tackle advanced optimisation and simulation challenges. For a sector under pressure to decarbonise while maintaining reliability, this computational leap could make a tangible difference. Cybersecurity: from vulnerability to inviolability Quantum computing presents a paradox for cybersecurity. On one hand, it threatens to break even the most robust classical encryption systems. On the other, it opens the door to an unprecedented level of secure communication through quantum key distribution. In 2019, the European Union launched EuroQCI, a continent wide quantum communication infrastructure scheduled for completion by 2030. Defence agencies and telecom operators are expected to be among the first beneficiaries, with practical applications on the horizon within the next few years. The same technology that challenges today’s security standards may well define tomorrow’s. Automotive: accelerating the zero emission future Designing the next generation of zero emission vehicles requires immense simulation capabilities. From improving material durability to accelerating the development of high performance batteries with greater range, quantum computing offers powerful new tools. At the end of 2024, BMW entered a strategic partnership with Nvidia to enhance the energy efficiency of electric vehicles using quantum algorithms. Meanwhile, Mercedes Benz is investing in quantum research to help shape the future of decarbonised powertrains. In a fiercely competitive market, even marginal gains in performance or efficiency can translate into major advantage. By 2030, all signs suggest that quantum computing will deliver tangible benefits in targeted applications. Much like artificial intelligence in the 2010s, it is poised to redefine the rules of industrial competitiveness. The companies embracing it today are not simply experimenting with a futuristic concept. They are quietly building a head start for the decade ahead. Share facebook twitter linkedin newsletter Print article Last articles Category : Health These subtle changes in the way you speak could be early warning signs of Alzheimer’s Category : Science Chinese astronomers just found a supermaterial on the Moon Category : Science Scientists reveal the best way to call a cat… and it really works Category : Science The scramble for Africa: a historical overview Category : Environment “Exploiting the deep sea means risking bringing all sorts of trash to the surface”! Category : Environment Natural vs. artificial Christmas trees: which is more eco-friendly? Category : Health Over 65? Dermatologists warn about a common hygiene mistake Category : Science 92-foot dinosaur found by accident is forcing scientists to rethink prehistoric giants Category : Science Scientists have discovered an unexpected new use for coffee grounds Category : Technology Binary code explained: What is it? See also Category : Technology What Gemini can infer from your emails, photos, and searches goes far beyond what you imagine. Category : Technology Do you really need an air vent for a wood-burning stove? Category : Technology Why teachers are alarmed by students’ declining computer skills Category : Technology This new Chinese fighter lands where no one dared before