IonQ CEO Predicts Quantum Chips Will Outshine Classic GPUs Like NVIDIA’s ‘Blackwell’ by 2027

The discourse surrounding quantum computing is gaining considerable momentum, with IonQ’s CEO boldly asserting that their quantum chips are poised to ‘eliminate’ the competitive edge of leading GPU manufacturers, NVIDIA and AMD.

IonQ Aiming for 10, 000 Qubits by 2027: A Threat to Traditional GPUs?

The future landscape of computing is a topic of intense speculation, particularly concerning whether GPU giants like NVIDIA and AMD can continue to enhance their performance through architectural improvements and the principles outlined in Moore’s Law. Industry observers are increasingly considering the role of quantum computers for high-demand processing tasks, leading to a surge of quantum computing firms rising to prominence. Among these, IonQ has declared ambitions to outperform classical GPUs in various applications, claiming even the vast age of the universe wouldn’t hinder their performance advantage.

The $IONQ CEO went on Bloomberg this morning claiming their quantum compute will surpass all $NVDA GPU compute by 2027 — and even called Blackwell a joke. This kind of hype ends in tears. IonQ will be adding another Q in due time.😭 @MartinShkreli pic.twitter.com/B8UKUZV00G

— Ben Pouladian (@benitoz) September 16, 2025

While CEO Niccolo de Masi’s assertions regarding quantum chips’ superiority over traditional GPUs are certainly open to debate, he provocatively suggested that NVIDIA’s Blackwell architecture could soon be rendered obsolete. Currently, quantum computers are particularly adept at solving specialized problems in areas like optimization, chemistry, and cryptography; however, these capabilities differ significantly from the general-purpose compute power of classical systems.

Person on stage holding a large NVIDIA chip with the text Grace on the screen behind. — Image Credits: NVIDIA

During a discussion with Bloomberg regarding IonQ’s acquisition of Oxford Ionics, the CEO emphasized that this strategic move accelerates their plan to integrate 10, 000 physical qubits into a single chip by 2027. Understanding the mechanics of quantum chips is crucial: they consist of both physical qubits, which function as superconducting circuits for data storage, and logical qubits, which execute error-corrected quantum algorithms essential for complex computations.

Even if we reach two million qubits by 2030, that will let us solve problems that classical GPUs couldn’t handle, even if they had the age of the universe. They [Blackwell chips] will look outdated long before then — by 2027, with 10, 000 qubits developed in partnership with our new friends at Oxford Ionics, and honestly, that will wipe the floor with every supercomputer that exists on Earth.

When comparing quantum chips to classical GPUs, it’s akin to contrasting a Formula 1 car and a cargo truck. The latter excels in parallel processing tasks with predictable results, while quantum chips focus on addressing increasingly complex issues that challenge conventional machines. In order for companies like IonQ to genuinely rival NVIDIA or AMD, they must significantly increase their number of logical qubits—a feat that poses considerable technical challenges.

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