John Martinis won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics for the discovery that made quantum computing possible. At 67, he retired from UC Santa Barbara to build Qolab, his quantum hardware startup. President Trump named him to the PCAST science council with Zuckerberg, Brin, and Huang — the only physicist in the room.

This is the uncut Davos conversation.

What we cover:— How quantum computing could replace rare earth elements with common materials— Why JPMorgan and Robinhood are already running quantum algorithms— What a Nobel physicist actually thinks about the multiverse— Why his biggest breakthroughs came from being pushed out

Topics: quantum computing, Nobel Prize Physics 2025, John Martinis, Qolab, quantum computer, superconducting qubits, AI vs quantum, deep tech, Davos, career in tech.

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Google Fired Him. Then He Won a Nobel Prize | John Martinis