Former Intel CEO Patrick Gelsinger recently signaled his strong support for PsiQuantum as it secures a major new contract. The quantum computing company signed a $125 million agreement with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, to advance the development of utility-scale quantum systems.
This partnership focuses on moving quantum technology out of the lab and into functional systems capable of solving complex, real-world problems. By providing DARPA experts with direct access to its facilities, PsiQuantum aims to prove that their silicon-photonics platforms can reach this necessary scale. The company has already progressed to the third stage of DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative.
Gelsinger highlighted the importance of this work on his social channels. He noted that rigorous technical validation of this kind accelerates the entire quantum ecosystem. His comments follow a broader industry discussion he led earlier this summer regarding the future of quantum applications in areas like logistics and global computational infrastructure.
PsiQuantum relies on a modular architecture to build its hardware, combining specialized chips and cryogenic cooling systems. This government-backed effort represents a shift toward practical deployment, moving away from experimental setups. As the timeline for viable quantum computing continues to tighten, this $125 million investment serves as a concrete indicator of where the industry is placing its focus for the remainder of the decade.