While quantum computing long belonged to the realm of science fiction, 2026 marks a concrete turning point. IBM, Google and Pasqal — the French gem that became the first unicorn in the quantum sector — are engaged in an intense technological race. The goal: to achieve what scientists call quantum advantage, that moment when a quantum computer will definitively surpass the best classical supercomputers on real, useful problems.

What is quantum advantage and why does it matter?

A classical computer, no matter how powerful, works with bits: 0s or 1s. A quantum computer uses qubits, which can simultaneously exist in multiple states through the principle of superposition. Add to this quantum entanglement, which links qubits together across space, and you get theoretically colossal computing power.

But the promise goes far beyond mere speed. Quantum computers could revolutionize molecular modeling for pharmaceuticals, optimize logistics in real time, break — or strengthen — current encryption systems, and accelerate the discovery of new materials for batteries or solar panels.

Quantum advantage is the moment when this promise becomes a measurable reality. And in 2026, we are closer than ever.

IBM: heading for verified quantum advantage before end of 2026

IBM is not doing things by halves. The American giant unveiled its quantum processor IBM Quantum Nighthawk at the start of the year, featuring 120 qubits connected by 218 next-generation couplers. But beyond the hardware, it is the software roadmap that impresses.

The firm promises that the first cases of verified quantum advantage will be confirmed by the international scientific community by year's end. And for 2029, the objective is even more ambitious: a fault-tolerant quantum computer, capable of solving concrete industrial problems without quantum noise polluting the calculations.

IBM is building on its Quantum Kookaburra program, its first modular processor planned for 2026, designed to reliably store and manipulate logical information — a crucial step toward error correction.

Google plays the neutral atom card

For its part, Google Quantum AI has made a surprising technological choice: betting on neutral atoms, a technology previously confined to specialized startups. With systems capable of manipulating up to 10,000 qubits based on this architecture, Google validates an approach championed for years by companies like Pasqal or QuEra.

The neutral atom has a decisive advantage: its scalability. Unlike superconducting qubits that require cooling to temperatures near absolute zero and very heavy infrastructure, neutral atoms can be controlled in more compact devices. This is a strong validation for the ecosystem that bet on this path.

Pasqal: the French unicorn redrawing the quantum map

In March 2026, Pasqal crossed a significant symbolic milestone: the French startup became the first quantum unicorn in France, valued at over 2 billion dollars. A fundraise of 340 million euros — half of it in equity — allowed the young company, founded in Paris in 2019, to establish itself as one of the most credible global players in the sector.

Pasqal's strategy is based on neutral atom technology, which it has mastered since its origins. In 2026, the startup targets 2 corrected logical qubits, with a roadmap that calls for 200 logical qubits by 2030. It has also announced its upcoming stock market listing via a SPAC merger on the Nasdaq.

The French state is not standing still. Under the PROQCIMA program, 500 million euros have been committed to support five French quantum startups, positioning France as an essential European hub in this technological race.

Which sectors will benefit first?

The question is no longer whether quantum computing will transform businesses, but when and how. The sectors best placed to be early beneficiaries are clearly identified:

• Pharmaceuticals and molecular biology: quantum molecular simulation will enable drug design by testing millions of virtual molecules, drastically reducing development timelines.
• Finance: portfolio optimization, fraud detection, complex risk modeling — all areas where quantum power provides an immediate competitive advantage.
• Logistics and transport: solving large-scale route optimization problems, currently beyond the reach of classical supercomputers.
• Cybersecurity: quantum algorithms threaten current encryption systems, pushing governments and businesses to develop post-quantum protocols right now.

The challenges that remain

Despite these spectacular advances, significant obstacles remain. The main one is quantum noise: qubits are extremely sensitive to environmental disturbances, generating calculation errors. Quantum error correction itself requires many additional qubits, complicating system architecture.

The other challenge is human: engineers and researchers capable of programming and exploiting these machines remain extremely rare. Major universities and companies are engaged in fierce talent wars, and France has understood the urgency: the national goal is to train 100,000 professionals in quantum computing by 2027.

"We are no longer in the hype phase. We are entering the quantum utility phase, where real advantages are beginning to emerge." — IBM Research

2026: the quantum turning point?

What was still a distant promise five years ago today takes the form of real machines, massive funding and high-level industrial competition. IBM, Google, and the French Tech with Pasqal at the forefront, are playing a game that will redefine technological sovereignty for decades to come.

For businesses, the time is no longer to wonder about quantum, but to start preparing. Identifying relevant use cases, training teams, experimenting via quantum cloud services already available (IBM Quantum, Google Quantum AI, Pasqal via OVHcloud): these are the concrete actions to take right now to not miss this major technological shift.