Alexander Jantzen, Co-Founder of Aquark Technologies, explains how quantum technologies are quickly moving from the lab to everyday commercial life. While a few months ago NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang warned that practical quantum computing was still decades away—a view he later retracted—the industry is already witnessing steady progress across a range of applications.
Consider quantum sensing. If you’ve ever struggled with unreliable GPS signals, you’ll appreciate how quantum-powered atomic clocks are set to transform positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT). These ultra-stable clocks drastically reduce errors in the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), ensuring smoother operations from smartphone navigation to global logistics—even when satellite signals falter.
Quantum communications are also making waves. By harnessing quantum coherence, which preserves consistent relationships in a system’s properties over time and space, technologies like Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) secure data based on the laws of physics. This isn’t just theory; companies are already rolling out QKD and random number generators to better protect telecom networks against both today’s and tomorrow’s cyber threats. With market forecasts predicting growth to between $11 billion and $15 billion by 2035, the commercial case is compelling.
Though quantum computing often grabs headlines with its potential to model complex systems—impacting fields like drug discovery and materials science—the practical side of quantum technology is firmly here. From non-invasive subsurface scanning to enhanced communication security, these advancements are steadily moving from research to real-world use, even as engineers tackle issues like scaling up production and securing supply chains.
If you’ve ever been frustrated by the gap between technological ideas and everyday tools, the steady march of quantum innovations offers a reassuring glimpse into the near future. In 2025, quantum technologies are already making a tangible difference, signalling the start of a new era.
