Nvidia CEO Quantum Pessimism Triggers Tech Stock Plunge: CES 2025

Quantum computing stock prices suffered a sharp decline after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang tempered expectations for the technology, projecting that practical quantum computers are still 15 to 30 years away.

During a question-and-answer session with analysts at CES 2025, Huang said: “If you said 15 years for very useful quantum computers, that would probably be on the early side. If you said 30, it’s probably on the late side.”

The cautious outlook caused substantial losses among quantum computing companies, for example:

The impact extended to Nvidia itself, whose stock slipped by 3.8% despite its dominant role in the AI and semiconductor sectors. This drop reflects broader investor unease about the viability of and timelines for emerging technologies.

These declines are particularly striking given the recent surge in quantum computing stocks, fueled by Google’s Willow quantum chip announcement in early December, which boosted parent company Alphabet’s share price by up to 6%.

From the perspective of the quantum computing industry, Huang's comments highlight the importance of balancing long-term innovation with immediate applications. Industry leaders argue that quantum computing’s gradual progress enables ongoing breakthroughs in hybrid quantum-classical systems, which are already delivering value in areas like optimization and material science.

Related:Nvidia CEO: AI Advancing Self-Driving Cars, Robotics, Digital Manufacturing at CES 2025

While the path to fully scalable quantum computers may take time, the sector remains optimistic about its trajectory. Ongoing advancements in hardware and software, and partnerships with traditional computing powerhouses continue to attract investment and drive momentum, reinforcing confidence in quantum technology’s transformative potential.