PsiQuantum's $1 Billion Bet on the Future of Computing

Go big or go bust

A few years ago, I wrote the first piece on PsiQuantum – a then very secretive player in the quantum computing field. Today, we take you right inside PsiQuantum’s labs and manufacturing facilities for an exclusive look at what they’ve been building.

PsiQuantum represents the biggest gamble in the quantum field. They’ve raised more than $1 billion to make data center-sized quantum machines with one million qubits each. The company has done pioneering work across the semiconductor, optical and materials fields and is now well on its way to constructing its first two systems in Chicago and Australia. It hopes these machines will advance our understanding of science, finance, materials, AI and, basically, how the universe works.

Unlike most of the quantum players, PsiQuantum builds its quantum computers out of light, focusing on the manipulation of single photons. It’s going all-in by chasing one million qubits – or bust - because the company’s executives contend that that’s the only way we get a really useful quantum machine.

We spent two days with PsiQuantum for this episode. I donned a bunny suit. I tried to explain how a quantum computer works. I made fun of some people. It’s great. Promise.