Quantum paradoxes of a different kind

A look at the quantum tech ecosystem

Quantum, the industry, is an interesting beast. Just like the scientific theory from which it evolved, the industry is full of perplexing questions and apparent paradoxes.

Why do some people think that quantum tech is underfunded while others are surprised it gets as much funding as it does? Why are quantum companies having trouble hiring, but people who want to get into the industry can’t get jobs? Why do some people say that quantum computers won’t be useful for at least a decade while others say we’re already in the era of quantum advantage?

These apparent paradoxes arise because quantum, the industry, brings together people from all walks of life: academia, software development, design, business, government, and more. It’s a fast-growing industry, but it’s still relatively small and tight-knit. This diversity and closeness leads to remarkable collaboration but it can also lead to tension, as people interpret the world through their own lenses, and then those interpretations clash.

Resolving such paradoxes, therefore, lies in understanding all the players in the ecosystem. Understanding the skills they bring, the challenges they face, the incentive structures in which they operate, and how all of this shapes their world view.

But before we can do that, we need to know who these players are, what role they play, and how they interact. This is the purpose of this post. We’ll also make some progress towards resolving the apparent funding paradox.