Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 9 hours ago
Dr. Alan Baratz is the CEO of D-Wave. Baratz joins us from D-Wave Qubits to explain why quantum computing is suddenly having a moment and why he believes useful applications are arriving sooner than most people think. We talk about D-Wave’s dual-track strategy across annealing and gate-model systems, the company’s Quantum Circuits acquisition, and what it will take to reach error-corrected qubits that can unlock truly commercial gate-model computing. We also get into the defense angle, real-world optimization use cases like scheduling and logistics, and the provocative claim that quantum could eventually make AI training far more energy-efficient. Hit play for a clear-eyed look at the quantum hype cycle, what’s real today, and what’s coming next.
This interview is sponsored by D-Wave. To learn more about our Brand Spotlight program, please email bigtechnologypodcast@gmail.com
00:00 Intro
00:43 D-Wave’s big announcements
02:34 Defense partnership: what D-Wave is doing with the government
03:47 Why quantum is having a moment right now
05:22 What quantum can do that classical can’t
08:12 Superconducting vs. trapped ion vs neutral atom vs photonics
10:28 Dual-rail roadmap: scaling gate-model systems
10:42 Error correction reality check + timeline to “useful” gate-model quantum
13:30 D-Wave’s strategy: annealing + gate-model + commercial business
15:05 Quantum + AI training
17:29 How to spot hype vs reality in quantum
20:56 Message to skeptics
Dr. Alan Baratz is the CEO of D-Wave. Baratz joins us from D-Wave Qubits to explain why quantum computing is suddenly having a moment and why he believes useful applications are arriving sooner than most people think. We talk about D-Wave’s dual-track strategy across annealing and gate-model systems, the company’s Quantum Circuits acquisition, and what it will take to reach error-corrected qubits that can unlock truly commercial gate-model computing. We also get into the defense angle, real-world optimization use cases like scheduling and logistics, and the provocative claim that quantum could eventually make AI training far more energy-efficient. Hit play for a clear-eyed look at the quantum hype cycle, what’s real today, and what’s coming next.
This interview is sponsored by D-Wave. To learn more about our Brand Spotlight program, please email bigtechnologypodcast@gmail.com
00:00 Intro
00:43 D-Wave’s big announcements
02:34 Defense partnership: what D-Wave is doing with the government
03:47 Why quantum is having a moment right now
05:22 What quantum can do that classical can’t
08:12 Superconducting vs. trapped ion vs neutral atom vs photonics
10:28 Dual-rail roadmap: scaling gate-model systems
10:42 Error correction reality check + timeline to “useful” gate-model quantum
13:30 D-Wave’s strategy: annealing + gate-model + commercial business
15:05 Quantum + AI training
17:29 How to spot hype vs reality in quantum
20:56 Message to skeptics
