Inside the UAE’s push to put quantum computing to work

• Sovereignty race gathers pace
• Commercial pay-off unknown
• Hype fuels the scientific reality

From developing new drugs and heat-resistant materials to tackling climate change, quantum computing is taking on problems beyond the reach of today’s most powerful machines.

The potential rewards are driving the UAE’s effort to build sovereign quantum capabilities, but its lead scientist is cautious about predicting when that bet will pay off.

During a visit to the Technology Innovation Institute’s (TII) Abu Dhabi laboratories, AGBI saw teams developing quantum processors, software and algorithms.

Asked when businesses could expect quantum applications, Leandro Aolita, chief researcher at TII’s Quantum Research Center, replied with a smile: “That’s the trillion-dollar question.”

Quantum computing harnesses the behaviour of subatomic particles to perform certain calculations that traditional computers struggle to do.

OECD figures show governments worldwide committed an estimated $56 billion to quantum science and technology between 2013 and October 2025.

“The player that will have that technology first will probably make a leap forward,” Aolita said.

“A lot of money is being poured into this topic because it’s becoming a practical reality. The timelines for future commercial applications are getting shorter.”