About Us

Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

A Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Social Media

Bluesky • Facebook • Instagram • LinkedIn • YouTube

Meet the Laser Focus World Team

Editorial

Sales

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology
My Watchlist
Indicators
Industrial Laser Index
Markets
Stocks
ETFs
Tools
Markets:
Overview
News
Currencies
International
Treasuries

Jeff Kagan: IBM is a quiet choice in quantum computing and watsonx AI

By: Equities.com
Jeff Kagan: IBM is a quiet choice in quantum computing and watsonx AI

Recently, Motley Fool said IBM is the best quantum computing stock to buy right now. While most people do not understand the quantum space, looking into the future, it will be important. But which companies will be leaders?

Today, it is a relatively quiet but real growth story. So, let’s take a closer look at IBM and at the rapidly growing and changing world of quantum.

First, I believe it is important to understand IBM IBM . To pull the camera back. To get a longer-term, historical perspective. This is a company which has been around for a long time. It has had ups and downs over time. They have led the way to growth in a variety of different segments.

About 15 years ago, IBM introduced the world to Watson on the television game show Jeopardy. This was the first time viewers had the chance to see the world of artificial intelligence in anything other than a Hollywood movie.

IBM Watson: the move into AI

However, as amazing as this new technology was, IBM did not market it well for the long-term. They did not call it AI. It was called Watson. In my opnion, this was an important marketing mistake. They must have wanted to own the space with their own name, rather than using the technology’s real name. That confused the market.

I attended the IBM World of Watson in Las Vegas, and it was incredible. Watson rapidly rose. But then it crested, ultimately fell. In recent years, IBM has started to rebuild their Watson technology calling it watsonx.

However, this time, while they work on the second act of Watson AI, something else is brewing. They are rapidly expanding into the world of quantum computing. This is what Motley Fool is talking about when naming IBM as their best quantum computing stock. Not that there aren’t other competitors. There are plenty, but they are not as well known. Not yet anyway.

Today, IBM is still a leader, not so much for their AI watsonx, although they are trying to reboot that growth engine once again, but for quantum computing. Quantum is a space which is real, and which is also very confusing for the average investor. That means quantum is the kind of environment, especially at this early stage, which will confuse the marketplace and the investor community.

Quantum is real and confusing

I think one of the reasons IBM is taking a leadership position in the quantum space is they are a familiar brand. As we move forward, other brands may become well-known as well. After all, in the AI space both Nvidia NVDA and OpenAI (which created ChatGPT) were not known a few short years ago either. Now they are on the tips of everyone’s tongue.

As that happens with quantum, leaders will rise while others will stall. The real question is where IBM will be at that time? I have always been a fan of IBM. Always seen them as a beacon on the hill. An industry leader. That being said, they are more technologists, less marketers.

That raises a serious challenge for the company. How will they communicate with the marketplace of investors and customers? IBM needs a group of middlemen who understand both the technology and how to talk about it to the average customer, investor, regulator and more.

While I agree IBM makes sense as an early leader in quantum stocks for now, I also want to encourage every investor to keep their eyes open. Keep learning about both quantum and AI. And understand if and when the leadership positions change, to be ready for the next step to take immediately.

More from Jeff Kagan: Here’s how long it will take AI to eliminate your job

More News

View More
Lowe’s vs. Home Depot: Which Benefits More From Lower Rates?
Via MarketBeat
Topics Economy
Tickers AMD HD LOW
These 5 Beaten-Down Tech Stocks Could Catch Fire Next
Via MarketBeat
Topics Artificial Intelligence
Tickers ASTS ETSY OPEN SOUN TEM
Falcon Flex Drives Growth as CrowdStrike Bets on AI Security
Via MarketBeat
Topics Artificial Intelligence
Tickers CRWD
Amphenol: The Unseen Giant Behind Every Major Tech Trend
Via MarketBeat
Topics Artificial Intelligence
Tickers APH COMM
This Insider Just Made a Massive Bet on Transocean's Comeback
Via MarketBeat
Tickers RIG
Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.