As leaders, we’re swimming in messaging about AI transformation. And for good reason: AI is fundamentally changing the way we work, learn, and live.
But there’s another technological revolution happening quietly in the background that could prove even more transformational for certain industries: quantum computing.
At Udemy, we’re committed to helping customers prepare for what’s around the corner, not just what’s happening at work today. In a recent analysis of Udemy platform data, minutes of video consumed in quantum computing courses were up 51% year over year in 2025 relative to the same months (January to July) in 2024. ​​The Asia-Pacific region had the largest such growth in quantum course video consumption, largely driven by India and Japan, where 2025 minutes consumed were up 222% relative to 2024.
Organizations like McKinsey and the Bank of America, among many, are heralding quantum as a massive leap, with one analyst comparing it to the discovery of fire.
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The big takeaway for the future of work is this: Quantum technology will reshape organizational capabilities in ways that are fundamentally different from AI’s more visible disruption.
THE SILENT REVOLUTION: WHY QUANTUM IS DIFFERENT
Unlike AI, which is reshaping daily workflows and transforming individual productivity, quantum computing represents what I call a silent revolution. As Seth Hodgson, our SVP of engineering at Udemy, told me recently, “Most people won’t directly notice quantum computing’s impact, unlike AI which is visible in everyday work.”
Yet behind the scenes, quantum will dramatically expand what’s computationally possible (and indeed, already is in many organizations). Think of it as similar to how cloud computing transformed infrastructure without most end users noticing the change. The revolution happens in the background, but the competitive advantages are enormous.
WHY LEADERS SHOULD PAY ATTENTION NOW
The implications of this silent revolution are profound:
Quantum expands possibility rather than replacing workers
While AI conversations often focus on displacement, quantum computing will create entirely new categories of problem solvers. The most valuable talent will be empowered with radically expanded computational capabilities.
The “new computational divide” is forming
Organizations will increasingly split into two categories: those constrained by classical computing limitations and those liberated by quantum possibilities. This divide will reshape competitive landscapes in pharmaceuticals, materials science, logistics, and finance first. Eventually, it will touch every computation-heavy industry.
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Problems you’ve abandoned as “unsolvable” will become addressable
As Seth pointed out, quantum computing will make currently infeasible computational challenges—like complex protein folding for drug discovery or massive optimization problems—suddenly solvable. The constraint won’t be computational power but our imagination in applying it.
PREPARE YOUR ORGANIZATION: 3 LEADERSHIP ACTIONS
Based on these insights, here are three actions leaders should consider now:
1. Audit your computational challenges
Identify which business problems your organization has classified as too complex or computationally infeasible. These represent your quantum opportunity space. In pharmaceuticals, this might be molecular modeling; in logistics, it could be complex supply chain optimization.
2. Build quantum fluency among technical teams
As Seth emphasized, quantum requires fundamentally different thinking about algorithms and problem solving. The organizations that invest in quantum upskilling now will own the talent pipeline later. This doesn’t mean everyone needs to understand quantum physics, but your technical leaders should comprehend its application possibilities.
3. Reframe problems for quantum advantage
The most significant competitive edge will come not from applying quantum to existing problems, but from reimagining what problems you can solve. Leaders should encourage their teams to think beyond current computational constraints.
THE QUANTUM-READY ORGANIZATION
While quantum computing remains in its early stages across many sectors, the organizations that prepare now by upskilling their workforces will gain disproportionate advantages later. The timeline may be uncertain, but the direction is clear: Quantum will transform what work becomes possible, not just how we do current work. The quantum transformation will be invisible to most, but revolutionary for those who harness it.
At Udemy, we’re exploring how to help organizations build a quantum-ready workforce through accessible education that demystifies these concepts. In the silent revolution of quantum computing, the winners will be the organizations with the vision to reimagine what’s possible.
Hugo Sarrazin is CEO of Udemy.