Quantum computers are one of the subjects that have been called "the near future" for decades. In 2026, the future has started to become the present. IBM has officially announced that this year will mark the first time a quantum computer solves a problem better than any classical computer in the world. At Altanet Craiova we consider this an important threshold – not because it changes everything overnight, but because it opens a door that until now was only theoretical.
What is a quantum computer, really?
An ordinary computer works with bits – units of information that can be either 0 or 1. Simple and predictable.
A quantum computer works with qubits – units that can be 0, 1 or both at the same time, thanks to a phenomenon in quantum physics called superposition. It sounds complicated, but the practical effect is simple: a quantum computer can explore a huge number of possible solutions to a problem simultaneously, while a classical computer tries them one by one.
Think of the difference between looking for a key in a dark room by striking a match (classical computer) and switching on all the lights in the house at once (quantum computer). The result is the same – you find the key – but the speed is incomparable.
Where do things stand in 2026?
The chart below shows the maturity level of quantum computing across the main application areas:
High commercial maturity
In development / pilot
What are the big companies doing in 2026?
Quantum computing is no longer just a subject of university research. Big companies have entered the race in earnest:
- IBM: has launched Qiskit Code Assistant – an AI tool that automatically generates code for quantum computers, making this technology accessible to ordinary programmers, not just physicists.
- Microsoft: is working on improving logical qubits – more stable quantum computing units that make fewer errors. This is one of the biggest technical obstacles in the field.
- AMD and IBM: have started to integrate classical processors (CPU and GPU) with quantum systems in a hybrid architecture – that is, a computer that uses both classical and quantum computing, each where it performs best.
The link with artificial intelligence
Quantum computing and AI are not separate technologies – they complement each other. In 2026, AI is already used to design quantum experiments and to optimise the operation of quantum computers. In the other direction, quantum computers could dramatically speed up the training of AI models – a process that today consumes huge amounts of energy and time.
But there is also an important risk
Sufficiently powerful quantum computers will be able to break the encryption methods – that is, the data protection – used on the internet today. Hackers have already started to collect encrypted data now, intending to decrypt it in the future, when they have access to quantum computers. This subject is covered in detail in the article on AI security in this series.
What comes next?
Estimates point to truly useful commercial quantum computers by 2029. Hybrid systems – which combine classical and quantum computing – will deliver concrete value in optimisation and simulation starting in 2027. It is not a technology for tomorrow, but not for a distant future either.
If you work in finance, pharma, logistics or research and want to understand how this technology may affect you in the coming years, the Altanet Craiova team follows these developments and can offer you a clear perspective. Visit our contact page and let us talk.
This article is part of the Altanet series on AI trends in 2026. Next article: AI and Programming: how artificial intelligence has transformed the work of every developer. See also the complete guide to the series.