This Tech Stock Doesn't Need AI to Win. That's Exactly Why It's My Top Pick Right Now.

The artificial intelligence (AI) market has gone utterly ballistic over the past couple of years and demonstrated shocking resilience. No matter how many people have warned of the potential of an AI bubble bursting, AI stocks have continued up and up, reaching new highs seemingly every week. No matter how bullish you might be on AI, though, it's always worth hedging your bets. And fortunately, you do have an option as an investor to make a tech play that doesn't involve AI at all. I'm talking about quantum computing, specifically a company called IonQ (IONQ 9.59%). Image source: Getty Images. The quantum revolution Now, while AI certainly has some synergy with quantum computing, they aren't dependent upon one another. Quantum computers are actually terrible at the normal computer stuff that even the most advanced agentic AI is designed to do, like surfing the net or compiling a spreadsheet. It is, however, brilliant at things like encryption, sophisticated modeling, and extremely complex calculations. The scientific applications are virtually limitless. For instance, Alphabet's quantum computer, Willow, solved a math problem in five minutes that would have taken even the most advanced conventional supercomputer 10 septillion years to solve. So, while there is likely a convergence point between quantum computing and AI coming at some point, the two are not dependent upon one another yet. And quantum stocks like IonQ represent a tech play that doesn't rely on AI. ExpandNYSE: IONQIonQToday's Change(-9.59%) $-5.51Current Price$51.96Key Data PointsMarket Cap$19BDay's Range$51.28 - $54.5852wk Range$25.89 - $84.64Volume2MAvg Vol28MGross Margin-2879.52% Taking a quantum leap IonQ is the only end-to-end quantum computing company. It will straight up sell you a quantum computer (if you're a large business or the government, at least). But quantum machines don't come cheap, so the bulk of IonQ's revenue comes from selling access to its own quantum machines over the cloud. For many businesses and research laboratories that might have a use for a quantum computer, buying and maintaining one is not economically feasible. So, they can rent access to one of IonQ's. The company also offers quantum computer networking and security services, as well as quantum sensors and space infrastructure. It's all very sci-fi, and the technology is a bit beyond the scope of this article. But what isn't outside the scope of this article are IonQ's financials, which are incredible for a young company in a bleeding-edge field. The company reported its Q1 2026 results on May 6 and recorded revenue growth of 755% over Q1 2025, marking the third quarter in a row of triple-digit year-over-year increases. IonQ also reported net income of $804.6 million compared to a net loss of $32.25 million for Q1 2025. It's also the company's second profitable quarter in a row since first achieving profitability in Q4 2025. Finally, the company has a very solid balance sheet with a total debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, so we have a low-debt company with triple-digit year-over-year revenue growth that just achieved profitability and doesn't rely on the AI trade. That sounds like a winner to me.Read NextMay 15, 2026 •By Keithen DruryThis Genius Quantum Computing Stock Just Grew Its Revenue at a 755% RateMay 15, 2026 •By Keith NoonanWhy IonQ Stock Is Plummeting TodayMay 13, 2026 •By Keithen DruryHere's How IonQ Could Transform a $1,000 Investment Into $10,000 in 10 YearsMay 12, 2026 •By Sean WilliamsQuantum Computing Stocks IonQ and D-Wave Quantum Have Nearly Doubled in 5 Weeks -- Don't Take the BaitMay 11, 2026 •By Eric TrieStock Market Today, May 11: IonQ Rises as SkyWater Vote Advances Semiconductor Manufacturing DealMay 11, 2026 •By Anders BylundRigetti vs. IonQ: Diverging Revenue, Shared UncertaintyAbout the AuthorJames Hires is a contributing analyst at The Motley Fool covering the technology, energy, and mining industries. He is also a contributing analyst at SeekingAlpha. Prior to The Motley Fool, James spend six years ghostwriting at The Oxford Club, a leading financial newsletter in his hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. He holds a bachelors in history from Towson University and enjoys covering companies with historical or cultural significance.TMFJamesHiresX@moneyguyjimStocks MentionedIonQNYSE: IONQ$51.95(-9.61%)-$5.52*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.