Rigetti Computing (RGTI) stock surged 5.01% in the pre-market session on Wednesday, following a wave of investor enthusiasm sweeping the quantum computing sector. The rally appears fueled by growing optimism around the potential of this nascent technology as it transitions from theoretical concepts to real-world applications.

The recent easing of artificial intelligence regulations by President Trump is seen as a positive for quantum computing stocks, given the synergies between AI and quantum computing's vast computational power. Rigetti has also benefited from analyst price target upgrades, reflecting the company's progress in scaling its quantum systems to tackle complex problems.

Additionally, government interest and potential contracts for quantum projects have bolstered investor confidence in Rigetti's prospects. With an estimated $450 billion to $850 billion in economic value expected from quantum computing by 2040, investors are betting big on companies like Rigetti that are leading the charge in this emerging field.