Quantum High Technology and AI Boom: IonQ and Nvidia in the Spotlight

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has gained significant importance since the fall of 2022 and is influencing numerous areas of life. In the United States, the number of AI regulations increased by an impressive 56 percent in 2023. Companies are now advancing computer science to support the further development of AI. Two prominent players in this field are the quantum computing company IonQ and the semiconductor giant Nvidia. Both companies have developed groundbreaking technologies that have the potential to revolutionize the computer industry. These innovations have led to substantial gains in their stock prices. By December 11, IonQ recorded a stock price increase of about 140 percent, while Nvidia even rose by around 180 percent. IonQ scores with its quantum computing technology, which can propel AI beyond the capabilities of the most powerful supercomputers. While many quantum computers require extremely low temperatures, IonQ’s technology operates at room temperature. This has helped the company secure significant clients such as the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which uses its quantum computers to modernize the U.S. power grid. Thanks to a growing customer base, IonQ recorded a 102 percent increase in revenue in the third quarter compared to the previous year. Despite positive business developments, IonQ remains unprofitable, with a loss of 52.5 million dollars in the third quarter. At the same time, the company invested heavily in research and development. A significant step to strengthen its technology was the acquisition of Qubitekk in November, with which IonQ aims to enhance the networking potential of its quantum machines. Nvidia is benefiting enormously from the demand for AI, as its semiconductor chips are highly sought after by companies and governments. This is evidenced by estimates that around 10,000 Nvidia chips were used to build ChatGPT. These developments raise the question among investors as to which company offers the better long-term investment opportunity to benefit from the AI trend.