Why the Quantum Tech Revolution Requires an Independent, Trusted Third Party
Quantum Tech is too spooky to do anything else
Dear friends,
It’s been a while… life. But hey, welcome back to my Quantum Computing Substack, where we decode the quantum realm for the leaders shaping tomorrow shaping the trajectory of quantum technology. More specifically, I want to address a critical need in the quantum landscape, one that has emerged from my countless conversations with governments, industry leaders, and academia alike: the demand for an independent, unbiased third party in a realm increasingly laden with conflicting incentives.
Buckle up, because quantum technology is not just another technology wave—this one will reshape economies, industries, and geopolitical balances far beyond the next quarter. Maybe even humanity as we know it.
Quantum Tech as a Revolution in the Making
The quantum technology revolution is very much underway, with extraordinary potential to transform industries and even birth entirely new ones. While it’s exhilarating to see the groundswell of activity—startups sprouting faster than mushrooms on a rainy day, research papers piling up at breakneck speed—it is equally critical to differentiate hype from reality.
The Birth of New Industries
We’re at the brink of quantum-enabled industries—ranging from new drug discovery platforms and advanced materials simulation to next-generation cryptography. Yet, amid all the excitement, it’s essential we balance short-term applications (the ones that yield immediate revenues and keep startups alive) with the broader vision of quantum’s long-term disruptive impact. The last thing we need is for myopic goals to undermine the foundation of what quantum can truly accomplish.
Mixed Results, Unwavering Focus
Let’s be honest: not every quantum pilot project or minimal viable product (MVP aka NISQ) is going to pan out. Some solutions won’t scale, others will stall, and quite a few are glossier marketing than genuine solutions. But these experiments—however misguided they may occasionally be—are necessary stepping stones toward maturity. We cannot lose our long-term enthusiasm, even as real-world applications remain in flux.
Quantum Tech as a National Security Threat (and Opportunity)
Any technology potent enough to revolutionize entire industries will inevitably reshape the geopolitical landscape. Quantum technology is no exception—indeed, it may redefine national security more profoundly than artificial intelligence. Here’s why.
Hybrid Warfare and National Security
Conflicts today are increasingly technology-centric: from disinformation campaigns amplified by AI to advanced cyber attacks that exploit zero-day vulnerabilities. In this arena, quantum technology will have an even bigger impact than AI. The obvious headline is Shor’s algorithm and its looming threat to current cryptographic standards. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Once quantum hardware matures, it could accelerate the discovery of novel weaponry or enhance the accuracy and complexity of simulations vital for defense.
A Race for Technological Dominance
Government investment in quantum is accelerating with staggering speed worldwide. Yet this race often suffers from poorly defined strategies, goals, and differentiation: the familiar FOMO phenomenon drives politicians and bureaucrats to heap money into quantum programs with uncertain endgames. All the while, potential adversaries—both state and non-state actors—also see quantum as an enabler for unprecedented offensive and defensive capabilities.
Many Poorly Incentivized Stakeholders
In the midst of this high-stakes environment, it’s worth noting that some of the biggest players in quantum tech—while undeniably brilliant—are saddled with incentives that don’t always align with an optimal, long-term roadmap.
Vendors and Startups These are the heroes of innovation, but they also face market pressure, investor expectations, and in some cases, the daily need for immediate revenue. As a result, roadmaps can get reshaped not by pure technical progress but by what sells—or by what matches the flavor-of-the-month in government grants.
Research Organizations Think tanks, universities, and labs are also under pressure to publish and win grants. Prestige in academic circles often trumps the kind of slow, methodical work that fosters practical breakthroughs.
Governments With quantum at the center of a new frontier arms race, national governments are rushing to inject capital into any quantum project that carries a veneer of progress. The result? Poorly coordinated initiatives that risk duplication—and unrealistic deliverables—instead of strategic, sustainable advancement.
Experts A plethora of experts, most of which are undeniably smart and professional, many well intended. Yet, they need to sell and most of the time they sell their - time. This is a conflict of interest, especially when their time is split between quantum, Blockchain, AI and other new techs. Quantum is too complex to be understood as the latest fad.
Put bluntly, the entire quantum ecosystem is forging ahead, but with incentives that can lead to sub-optimal outcomes. That’s where the need for trustworthy, independent guidance becomes urgent.
The Case for a Trusted, Unbiased Third Party
Now, let’s be clear: quantum is not just a science project or an ephemeral tech fad. It’s an engine of economic value, national security capability, and industrial transformation. If you are at the helm of a Fortune 500, a government agency, or a major investment fund, you must navigate this complexity responsibly. Here’s how.
Why an Independent Arbiter is Essential
Enter the independent third party. Neutral, data-driven, and unencumbered by the short-term constraints of venture capital or the political imperatives of government funding. A trusted authority that can say, “No, your quantum roadmap is misguided” or “Yes, here’s where you should be focusing resources.”
Since 2015, GQI (Global Quantum Intelligence) has aimed to be precisely this sort of unbiased resource. We are driven and incentivized by providing transparent intelligence to decision-makers, devoid of vendor spin or academic glory-chasing. We can have the conversations you cannot have. We have the intelligence, in context, that you cannot have. Simply because that’s what we get paid for - it’s our business model and it’s unique. It took many years to build.
The GQI Methodology
To ensure our intelligence is bulletproof, we eschew reliance on press releases, marketing surveys, or so-called “expert” interviews that often function more like echo chambers. Instead, we employ rigorous technical, product, strategy, and commercial frameworks—co-developed with leading providers since 2018—and fill them with our own proprietary data and intelligence. This approach might not always give you the most comfortable answers, but it is the only basis for truly smart decision-making in a complex, high-stakes domain like quantum.
Measuring the Economic Impact
At the end of the day, quantum success must be measured in real-world outcomes—economic value, national security dividends, and strategic positioning. GQI’s methodology ensures that every scenario, every roadmap, is connected to tangible value drivers:
Financial Impact
We map out the top- and bottom-line implications of adopting quantum technologies, providing ROI metrics that CFOs can plug into their models.Strategic Clarity
For high-level executives and government leaders, GQI offers scenario planning to clarify where quantum investments could yield a lasting competitive edge.Geopolitical & Defense Decisions
Because quantum is as much about national security as it is about commerce, we factor in geopolitical risks and opportunities—vital for defense agencies and international investors.
Actionable Recommendations for Leaders
Now that we’ve explored the explosive potential, national security implications, and the fraught incentive landscape of quantum, here’s what I urge you—Fortune 500 CEOs, government ministers, sovereign fund managers—to do next:
Demand Independent Verification Before you write that next quantum check, seek a dispassionate assessment. Do not rely solely on vendor roadmaps or glossy white papers. An impartial, data-driven audit can be the difference between a make-or-break investment - not just an academic, highly scientific view.
Develop a Long-Term Strategy Balance short-term wins (that keep your stakeholders excited) with a robust roadmap extending 5, 10, even 15 years. Quantum capabilities will expand in leaps, and you need to be ready.
Prioritize National Security & Geopolitical Alignment For governments and defense-related entities, integrate quantum into your broader strategic and defense frameworks. The arms race is real, and the stakes are high.
Collaborate, Don’t Duplicate Within your organization, unify R&D, strategic investment, and operational teams around shared objectives. Across the global quantum community, push for synergy rather than overlapping fiefdoms.
Insist on Data-Driven Methodologies Steer clear of hype-based decisions. Use metrics, validated frameworks, and scenario analyses that directly tie back to economic, strategic, and societal impact. Insist on transparency to foster conversation rather than yay or nay answers.
A revolution is rarely neat or predictable, and the quantum era is no exception. But it’s also a period of unprecedented opportunity—if navigated wisely. An independent, trusted third party can be your best guide through the hype cycles, the conflicting incentives, and the swirling geopolitical crosscurrents. And I say that not as a promoter of some neat new consulting fad, but as someone who has seen firsthand how quantum leaps can stall without guidance that is both bold and objective.
Let’s keep our eyes on the real prize: transforming industries, economies, and global security for the better, all while making quantum not just a scientific marvel but a tangible driver of strategic value.
Until next time—stay quantum, stay vigilant, and stay prepared. May 2025 be prosperous and safe for all!
#QuantumIsComing
This is my personal newsletter, all opinions are mine and do not represent GQI, The Quantum Computing Report and other affiliated entities.