Rigetti Computing CEO Subodh Kulkarni forecasts that advancements in both quantum computing and artificial intelligence will be pivotal growth drivers in 2026, as discussed in a November 4, 2025, interview with Yahoo Finance. Kulkarni detailed Rigetti’s roadmap, projecting a timeline of three to five years to achieve “quantum advantage” and seven to nine years for fully “fault tolerant quantum computing.” Despite current limited revenue—prioritizing technology development over sales—Rigetti (RGTI and RGTIW) has experienced significant investor interest, with stock increases exceeding 150% year-to-date, reflecting market anticipation of these emerging technologies’ potential.
Rigetti Computing’s Focus: Quantum Technology Development
Rigetti Computing (RGTI) is currently prioritizing technological advancement over immediate revenue generation, a strategy outlined by CEO Subodh Kulkarni. Despite a stock surge exceeding 150% year-to-date (as of late 2025), the company maintains a focus on achieving “quantum advantage” – the point where quantum computers demonstrably outperform classical computers for specific tasks. Rigetti projects reaching this milestone within three to five years, emphasizing that early-stage development, not sales, drives their current efforts and investor communication.
A key metric for Rigetti is scaling qubit count and coherence. While the transcript doesn’t specify exact numbers, achieving fault-tolerant quantum computing – considered the “holy grail” of the field – remains a long-term goal projected for seven to nine years. This necessitates continued investment in hardware and algorithmic development. The company’s approach acknowledges that significant revenue streams will likely follow after technological hurdles are cleared, differentiating it from companies prioritizing near-term profitability.
Looking ahead to 2026, Rigetti anticipates continued convergence between quantum computing and artificial intelligence. While a specific prediction wasn’t detailed in the transcript, the company’s roadmap inherently relies on AI for error correction and algorithm optimization. Success in these areas is crucial for achieving both quantum advantage and, ultimately, the scalability required for practical, fault-tolerant quantum computers—laying the groundwork for future commercial applications.
AI and Market Valuation: A Long-Term Perspective
Current market valuations of AI and quantum computing firms, such as Rigetti Computing (RGTI, down 9.87% & RGTIW -14.30% as of Nov 4, 2025), reflect a significant investor bet on future revenue. Rigetti’s CEO, Subodh Kulkarni, emphasises that, presently, revenue isn’t the primary metric; technological development is. The company projects achieving “quantum advantage” – a demonstrable lead over classical computers for specific tasks – within 3-5 years, with “fault tolerant quantum computing” (fully error-corrected) taking another 7-9 years. This extended timeline explains the current disconnect between stock performance and existing sales.
The focus on technological milestones rather than immediate profitability reflects a long-term investment strategy. Kulkarni highlights the temptation to react to daily stock fluctuations but stresses the need to maintain focus on the roadmap towards quantum advantage. This strategy isn’t unique to Rigetti; many early-stage AI companies prioritize R&D, aiming for disruptive potential over short-term gains. This creates market volatility, as valuations are based on projected capabilities rather than current earnings.
Looking ahead to 2026, Kulkarni suggests anticipating surprising advancements in AI. While specifics weren’t detailed, the expectation is for innovation beyond current projections. This reinforces the idea that AI market valuation isn’t simply about current capabilities but about anticipating future breakthroughs. Investors are pricing in the potential for exponential growth, even if substantial revenue is years away, creating both opportunity and risk in this evolving landscape.
