Why Fujitsu Thinks Computing Isn’t a Choice Between Quantum or AI

The tech industry often paints the AI future as a race for dominance. One breakthrough replaces the last, with the promise of a tech revolution. But some of the biggest decisions shaping computing today are not about choosing winners; rather, it’s about learning how different systems can work together.

That thinking underpins how Fujitsu is approaching its next phase of growth. Fujitsu is reshaping its presence in India, positioning the country as a core centre for research and intelligence rather than a low-cost engineering base.

In a roundtable with AIM, Ken Toyoda, MD and CEO of Fujitsu Research of India Private Limited (FRIPL); Okai Jungo, head of technology business management; and Priyanka Sharma, director of software engineering and business head of the Monaka R&D Unit at FRIPL, outlined how this strategy is taking shape.

Until recently, India’s association with Fujitsu had largely been limited to electronics and hardware. That perception has shifted. The company has moved key research work in high-performance computing and quantum systems to India, reflecting a broader internal transition.

“Three years back, our business was primarily in that sector,” Sharma said. “But now, India has become our nodal centre for cutting-edge IT, which is HPC, quantum.”

Not Everything Needs Quantum

The Japanese technology company views quantum computing, AI, and high-performance computing as parts of a broader system. 

While Fujitsu has built and deployed superconducting quantum systems, it does not present quantum as a universal solution. Instead, it emphasises matching problems to the right computing architecture.

“Not every computation needs quantum, and not every computation needs GPUs or CPUs,” Sharma remarked. The company believes sustainability in computing comes from carefully choosing systems, rather than defaulting to the most advanced option.

This approach forms the basis of Fujitsu’s hybrid computing strategy. The model combines traditional processors, GPUs, and quantum computers, with a software layer that selects the most suitable resource for each task.

“It has to basically be able to pick the optimal computing architecture, based on the application,” she added.

Quantum computing, in Fujitsu’s view, remains best suited for specific use cases. Drug discovery is one such area where the challenge lies in running vast permutations to identify viable molecules. Classical systems struggle to scale these calculations efficiently.

“Identification of a new drug molecule is a permutation problem,” Sharma emphasised. “That is where quantum computing comes into play.”

Even then, Fujitsu sees quantum working alongside classical computing. Toyoda revealed that the company currently operates a 256-qubit quantum computer and plans to release a 1,000-qubit system next year. A 10,000-qubit machine is already in development.

Robots That Feel the Room

Beyond computing infrastructure, Fujitsu is investing extensively in physical AI. The focus is on ensuring that robotics can interact with people and environments, rather than just perform repetitive tasks.

The company’s research spans robotics, AI, and material science. The executives described a future where robots respond to human emotions and collaborate with other machines in shared spaces.

“This is physical AI,” Sharma said, “where you are able to add the right emotional gesture on the face of the robot.”

Fujitsu does not see this as a single-company effort. Its leadership argues that robotics ecosystems will involve many platforms, standards, and control systems. Without coordination, such systems risk failing in real-world settings.

“The future of robotics is not just one company providing all the robots,” Jungo said, warning that fragmented systems could break down without shared frameworks. This belief also extends beyond robotics.

Many Hats

Across AI, quantum computing, and security, Fujitsu is pushing for collaboration as a necessity rather than a choice. The company has established small research laboratories at universities in Japan and overseas, and continues to expand academic partnerships.

Fujitsu has also helped establish a consortium to address AI-led misinformation, bringing together dozens of companies across markets. The goal is to build shared standards rather than isolated solutions. “Security is not just [about] one company, but we need a standard of collaboration,” Jungo said.

Healthcare is another area where Fujitsu has leaned into partnerships. Last year, the company announced a collaboration with IBM Japan, despite the two firms competing in other domains. Fujitsu leaders said systemic change in healthcare requires more than strong technology.

“Just because you have good technology doesn’t mean you can change the healthcare system,” Jungo added. “These two companies together, we can really change it.”

India as an Intelligence Centre

Fujitsu’s growing research footprint in India reflects a deeper shift in its view of the country. The company now employs around 400 researchers in India, many of whom hold advanced degrees in AI and computing.

“Today, what we see in India is very different, a country that provides the intelligence,” Jungo said. The company stressed that cost is not the primary driver. Instead, Fujitsu values adaptability and problem-solving ability among Indian researchers.

“Focus is not to develop it at a lesser cost,” Toyoda added. “The focus is to capture the goodness in Indian talent.”

Fujitsu is also looking beyond top universities and metro cities into tier-2 and tier-3 cities in the near future, while remaining selective in its hiring. The company does not recruit in bulk, preferring targeted research roles that sit at the intersection of multiple disciplines.

That approach reflects Fujitsu’s long-term philosophy. The company identifies its strength not in stability, but in constant reinvention. “One thing we don’t change is we keep changing,” Toyoda said.

The post Why Fujitsu Thinks Computing Isn’t a Choice Between Quantum or AI appeared first on Analytics India Magazine.