SoftBank and Quantinuum, the quantum computing firm that is majority-owned by Honeywell, plan to collaborate on hybrid quantum-classical computing with an aim to “overcome the limitations” of classical AI, including “complex optimization problems, deciphering causal relationship analysis, and conducting high-precision simulations based on fundamental equations,” according to a joint statement.
The partnership, announced just days after SoftBank was revealed as a major partner in the $500 billion Stargate AI infrastructure venture, is the latest project to spotlight how quantum computing and AI are intersecting, and how dependent they could become on one another in the future. The Japanese technology giant’s Stargate role came to light about a month after SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, along with then-President Elect Donald Trump, announced a $100 billion investment in the US. SoftBank also is an investor in OpenAI.
The announcement with Quantinuum was described as “SoftBank’s first major partnership with a quantum computing company,” but that is not exactly true, as the company previously invested in and partnered with Maryland-based IonQ, which is still listed as a portfolio member of the SoftBank Vision Fund. SoftBank has partnered with firms like SandboxAQ on quantum-safe cryptography and has been pursuing its own quantum computing activities, such as university partnerships and research, for at least a few years.
SoftBank and Quantinuum are planning a range of activities, “joint market research and business model development for a quantum data center” in which CPUs, GPUs, and quantum processing units (QPUs) could perform advanced calculations. The companies said in their joint statement that hybrid CPU/GPU/QPU approaches hold the potential “to further extend the capabilities of AI. By leveraging the unique strengths of each type of processing unit, hybrid systems can execute more advanced and diverse computations, providing innovative solutions that surpass traditional limitations.”
The statement added that both companies “will develop software technology that makes effective use of limited hardware resources, and explore methods for linking CPUs, GPUs, and QPUs.”
Quantinuum also has been involved in other hybrid quantum-classical computing projects, and hybrid hardware and software programs have been an subject of increasing focus for other firms, like Nvidia and IBM
SoftBank and Quantinuum also said they will focus on “construction of quantum use-case timelines and validation,” with SoftBank providing its own business challenges as use cases, and the partners working to clarify use cases in quantum chemistry and network analysis, and building a timeline showing when these use cases will be realized. “In quantum chemistry, the search for new optical switch materials for All Optical Networks is anticipated, while in network analysis, the application to anomaly detection and fraud detection in SoftBank's communication network is envisioned,” the statement said.
Though 2025 has only just begun, quantum computing companies already have been riding a roller coaster of good news and bad news. At the outset, UNESCO named 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, but the whole sector recently took a hit following comments from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang that suggested “very useful” quantum computers are 20 years away. That observation caused quantum computing stock prices to plummet, though they have mostly recovered. Meanwhile, this week brought new hope in the form of a €100 million funding announcement for French quantum computing start-up Alice & Bob, an infusion which the company said will accelerate its plans to build a “useful quantum computer” by 2030.
The pairing of SoftBank and Quantinuum brings more hope, as it further demonstrates a growing commitment by one of the world’s largest and most successful technology companies.
“SoftBank believes in the potential of quantum computers and has been testing and evaluating various internal issues using quantum computers, and has started to obtain certain results,” said Ryuji Wakikawa, Head of Research Institute of Advanced Technology, SoftBank Corp., in the joint statement. “However, as a telecommunications operator, there are still many challenges remaining regarding how to provide quantum computing services in Japan. Through our collaboration with Quantinuum, which possesses the world's highest-performance quantum computer hardware, we aim to be the first in the world to identify problems that can only be solved by quantum computers and look forward to significantly accelerating the practical application of quantum computing.”
Quantinuum President and CEO Dr. Rajeeb Hazra, added, "Our partnership with SoftBank represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of quantum computing. By combining our strengths, we are poised to unlock innovative solutions that will not only enhance the capabilities of AI but also tackle challenges that have long been beyond reach. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a future where quantum technologies drive transformative advancements across multiple industries.”