Quantum computing remains one of the technology sector's most closely watched fields, with major companies investing heavily in research aimed at solving complex problems beyond the capabilities of conventional computers.
Amazon has now offered its clearest public timeline yet on when the technology could begin delivering practical business applications. Peter DeSantis, who leads the company's organization focused on artificial intelligence models, semiconductor development and quantum computing, said commercially useful quantum systems could begin emerging within the next five to seven years.
Speaking to CNBC on Wednesday, DeSantis said Amazon expects the first commercially useful small-scale quantum computers to become available during that timeframe, marking the company's first public forecast on the technology's path toward practical deployment.
"I actually do believe, over the next five-to-seven years, we're going to start to see the first commercially useful small-scale quantum computers," DeSantis said in comments reported by the outlet.
DeSantis compared the expected development of quantum computing to the historical advancement of semiconductor technology. He said progress could resemble the pattern described by Moore's Law, which refers to the long-standing observation that the number of transistors on computer chips tends to double approximately every two years, driving increases in computing power, according to CNBC.
Quantum computing differs significantly from traditional computing systems. Conventional computers process information using bits that exist as either a zero or a one. Quantum computers use quantum bits, or qubits, which can represent multiple states simultaneously because of the principles of quantum mechanics.
DeSantis emphasized that quantum computers are not simply faster versions of today's machines. Instead, he said the technology is designed to address specific categories of problems that conventional computers struggle to solve efficiently.
The remarks come amid intensifying competition among technology companies and governments seeking leadership in quantum research. Major firms including Amazon, Microsoft, Google and IBM have invested billions of dollars into developing quantum hardware and software platforms.
Amazon entered the spotlight in the sector earlier this year when it unveiled Ocelot, a quantum computing chip designed to address error correction challenges, one of the most significant technical barriers facing the industry. The company said the chip was developed to improve the reliability of quantum systems as researchers work toward larger-scale machines.
The announcement followed a series of advances across the industry. In March 2025, Google researchers unveiled the company's Willow quantum chip and outlined progress toward reducing computational errors, according to Reuters. Google executives have repeatedly argued that practical quantum applications are becoming increasingly attainable as hardware improves.
Microsoft has also accelerated its efforts. Earlier this year, the company introduced its Majorana 1 quantum chip and said it views the technology as a critical component of future computing infrastructure, according to The Verge.
IBM, another major player in the sector, continues expanding its quantum roadmap. The company has focused on increasing qubit counts and improving system performance through its quantum network, which connects researchers, universities and businesses worldwide. IBM executives have described quantum computing as a tool for addressing complex scientific and industrial challenges, according to Bloomberg.
DeSantis said some of the earliest applications are expected to emerge in areas such as chemistry and materials science, where researchers seek more accurate simulations of molecular interactions and physical processes.
"The problems that I would think are going to be tackled first are the ones that are quantum-based problems, so things like chemistry, material science," DeSantis said.
Researchers have long viewed those fields as promising areas for quantum computing because accurately modeling molecules and materials can require enormous computing resources that challenge even the world's most powerful supercomputers.
The growing interest in quantum technology also reflects broader geopolitical and security concerns. Governments in the United States, China, Europe and other regions have increased spending on advanced computing technologies amid strategic competition over technological leadership. Quantum research has become part of wider national efforts focused on cybersecurity, defense systems and scientific innovation.
The technology has attracted particular attention because of its potential implications for encryption and secure communications. Government agencies and cybersecurity experts have accelerated work on post-quantum cryptography standards designed to protect sensitive information from future quantum-enabled attacks. The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology has been leading efforts to develop and standardize new encryption methods capable of resisting quantum computing threats.
