IonQ CEO Predicts Imminent Quantum Supremacy and Outlines Company's Quantum Internet Vision

On a Thursday, IonQ CEO Niccolo De Masi told CNBC's Jim Cramer that major advances in quantum computing are rapidly approaching, with the era of quantum supremacy expected "in quarters and very low single-digit years." De Masi emphasized IonQ's vision as a "fully fledged quantum internet company." IonQ is developing both quantum computers and quantum networking equipment. It partners with Nvidia, AWS, and AstraZeneca on research into drug development, aiming to use quantum computing to analyze molecules and facilitate breakthroughs in pharmaceutical discovery. De Masi highlighted IonQ's role in the global race to advance quantum computing and specifically in attempting to crack RSA, a widely used encryption algorithm, stating, "We are racing China, we believe, almost single-handedly, for the Western world, if you will, to be the RSA cracker." He added that when this is achieved, quantum networking equipment from IonQ will be critical to maintaining global civilization as known today. This announcement took place against a backdrop of increased Wall Street interest as major tech companies and the U.S. government invest heavily in quantum computing, with prominent figures like Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang also expressing optimistic views on impending quantum computing milestones.