Four distinct quantum computing systems, each built around different types of qubits, were demonstrated at Nvidia GTC 2026, highlighting the ongoing uncertainty about which approach will become the standard for quantum computing hardware. CNET’s Jesse Orrall reported on the quantum computing exhibits at the conference on March 27, 2026.
The four quantum computing approaches on display utilized neutral atoms (without charge), ions (with charge), photons (light particles), and engineered quantum circuits as their qubit foundations. According to Orrall, “Each type of quantum computer has its advantages, but none has become the definitive means of building one.”
Among the systems demonstrated, Infleqtion’s neutral atom quantum computer uses lasers to cool cesium atoms down to near absolute zero. Quantinuum showcased a trapped-ion quantum computer system, while PsiQuantum presented a photon-based design that “takes advantage of the existing semiconductor industry,” according to the report.
The diversity of approaches reflects a fundamental challenge in quantum computing development: determining the optimal physical implementation for qubits. While classical computer bits exist in binary states (0 or 1) and are typically represented as electrical charges that are either on or off, qubits can exist “in one of two states, or both at the same time,” as Orrall explained.
The quantum computing demonstrations were part of what Orrall described as “the quantum corner” at Nvidia GTC, where attendees could also access cloud-based connections to real quantum computers. The technology “promises to revolutionize industries such as finance, cybersecurity, chemistry and more,” though significant technical challenges remain to be solved.
