April 14, 2026 -- Quantum computing is no longer science fiction confined to the lab. It is a new computing paradigm with the potential to solve problems beyond the reach of classical systems. From simulating complex molecules for new drugs to discovering new materials, quantum computers will transform entire industries. But building quantum computers at scale requires more than brilliant ideas. It demands world-class semiconductor manufacturing expertise. That’s where GlobalFoundries (GF) plays a critical role. As the leading specialty foundry, GF is uniquely positioned to accelerate the quantum revolution, no matter which hardware approach ultimately wins.

What is quantum computing?

Quantum computing harnesses the three rules of quantum mechanics: superposition (a qubit can exist in multiple states at once), entanglement (qubits can be linked so the state of one instantly influences another) and interference (which amplifies the probability of correct answers while canceling incorrect ones).

While a classical bit can exist only as a 0 or a 1, a qubit can exist in a superposition of both states at the same time until it is measured. When many qubits are combined, the system is described by an exponentially large set of possible states, represented mathematically as amplitudes – a property often referred to as quantum parallelism. A sequence of quantum gates transforms those amplitudes, but when the computation is measured, it still produces only a single result. The practical advantage of quantum computing comes from algorithms that harness quantum interference to increase the probabilities of correct answers while suppressing incorrect ones, thereby increasing the likelihood of obtaining a useful result, for example, through amplitude amplification techniques that generalize Grover-style speedups.

Quantum computers are therefore best viewed as special-purpose accelerators. They outperform classical systems on specific problems such as simulating quantum systems, structured search, sampling, or extracting global properties, while complementing classical computers for everyday workloads.

A gamechanger for industries

The impact of quantum computers with sufficiently capable qubits will be profound:

• Pharmaceuticals and life sciences: Accurate molecular simulations could slash drug discovery timelines from years to months.
• Finance: Quantum algorithms will revolutionize portfolio optimization, risk modeling, fraud detection and derivative pricing, for faster and more accurate insights in volatile markets.
• Logistics and supply chain: Real-time optimization of routes, inventory and manufacturing schedules could cut costs dramatically and improve resilience.
• Materials science and energy: Direct modeling of complex quantum interactions among electrons could accelerate the design of breakthrough materials such as superconductors, advanced batteries, photovoltaics and solid-state electrolytes.
• AI and machine learning: Quantum-enhanced models promise breakthroughs in pattern recognition and generative AI.
• Cybersecurity: While quantum computers threaten current encryption (prompting the shift to post-quantum cryptography), they also enable ultra-secure quantum key distribution.

McKinsey and others estimate the value of quantum computing at tens to hundreds of billions of dollars annually once systems with a few hundred to a thousand logical qubits (the error-corrected units needed for reliable computation) become available.

The question isn’t if-it’s when and how fast we get there.

The road to scale: Manufacturing and the modality challenge

Quantum computing is entering a new phase. The question is no longer whether qubits can work in a lab, but how complete quantum systems will be manufactured and scaled reliably for real-world deployment.

Today, there is no industry-wide alignment on a single qubit modality. Leading approaches include superconducting circuits, trapped ions, photonic qubits, silicon spin qubits, neutral atoms, topological qubits and others. Each has distinct strengths and trade-offs in terms of fidelity (accuracy of quantum operations), coherence (how long the qubits retain their “quantumness”), scalability (how many qubits can you cram into a system) and operating temperature. This diversity is healthy and drives innovation, but it also means the ultimate winners will be those who can manufacture at volume- reliably and at reasonable cost- regardless of which architecture prevails.

That is exactly where GF’s semiconductor expertise gives the quantum ecosystem its strongest foundation

Why GF is the best partner-across any modality

Given the uncertainty around which qubit modalities will ultimately prevail, the critical challenge for the industry is not proving isolated devices in the lab, but enabling repeatable, high‑yield manufacturing with a clear path to volume production. Rather than betting on a single qubit technology, GF takes a manufacturing‑first approach to quantum computing – building scalable, configurable semiconductor platforms that can support a wide range of quantum architectures as they mature.

That is where GF’s role in the quantum ecosystem is fundamentally different.

GF’s strategy is rooted in leveraging existing, qualified semiconductor platforms and extending them, where needed, to meet emerging quantum requirements. This approach dramatically reduces development risk, cost and time compared to building bespoke, one‑off processes for each modality. It also enables quantum teams to anchor their roadmaps to technologies that are already proven in high‑volume manufacturing environments.

Across modalities, quantum systems increasingly converge on a common set of manufacturing needs: tight process control, materials uniformity, integration of electronics and photonics, ultra‑low‑noise interfaces and advanced packaging to combine heterogeneous components. These requirements align directly with GF’s core strengths as a specialty foundry.

GF brings together:

• FD‑SOI technologies such as 22FDX, which are actively being explored by the quantum community for tightly integrated classical control, readout and system‑on‑chip architectures
• High‑voltage and RF‑capable platforms, enabling power delivery, signal generation and amplification functions that are increasingly critical as quantum systems scale
• Advanced heterogeneous integration and packaging, allowing quantum processors, control electronics, photonics and interconnects to be combined into manufacturable system‑level solutions
• Silicon photonics platforms on 300 mm wafers that form a scalable foundation for photonic quantum systems as well as optical interfaces
• Importantly, GF enables R&D, prototyping and early‑stage quantum development on the same industrial manufacturing infrastructure used for volume production. This continuity helps quantum system developers avoid costly transitions between research fabs and production fabs – a challenge that has historically limited scalability in emerging technologies.

As quantum computing progresses from experimentation toward deployable systems, manufacturability will increasingly determine which architectures scale, and which do not. By remaining technology‑agnostic and focused on extensible, reproducible manufacturing platforms, GF provides a stable foundation for innovation across superconducting, photonic, spin‑based, atomic and hybrid quantum approaches.

In a field defined by architectural uncertainty but united by the need to scale, GF’s role is not to choose winners – but to enable them.