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In the fall of last year, you may have seen some articles floating around on the Internet announcing that Google has achieved quantum supremacy. Although the term quantum supremacy sounds like the title you receive after a streak of murders of ten people during a science fiction multiplayer campaign, the idea of Google achieving quantum supremacy is, and was, a massive development in the world of quantum computing.
For the uninitiated, quantum supremacy is a term used in the world of quantum computing that describes the time when a programmable quantum device can solve a problem that no classical computer can feasibly solve.
In the case of Google, and described in great detail in your published article, the search giant announced that its 54-qubit Sycamore processor was able to perform a calculation on 200 seconds that would have taken the most powerful supercomputer in the world 10,000 years to solve. Now, Google’s moment of quantum supremacy was met with some scrutiny and challenges from competitors like IBM. However, the research community at large welcomed the historic moment for the quantum computing arena. However, you are probably wondering why there is so much hype about quantum computing and whether it will directly affect your life.
Well, you’re in luck today. We are going to highlight some of the main reasons why people are so excited about quantum computing and how this emerging technology will shape their lives in no time. But we are getting ahead. Before jumping to how quantum computing will impact the world, we will give you a quick introduction to quantum computing.
Quantum computing really started generating interest in 1994, when mathematician Peter Shor developed a quantum algorithm that could find the prime factors of large numbers efficiently, meaning that these algorithms could solve problems at a time of practical relevance, something that is beyond the capacity of “classic avant-garde algorithms”.
How is this possible? Both quantum computers and classical computers try to solve problems; however, the means by which they manipulate the data to elicit responses are fundamentally very different.
1. Quantum computing is based on “creepy” science
As you probably guessed, quantum computing is looking to make the quantum world work, powered by two principles of superposition and entanglement in quantum mechanics. The overlay may be a bit contradictory, but please be patient with us.
In short, overlap refers to the quantum phenomenon where a quantum system can exist in multiple states or places at the same time. In other words, something can be “here” and “there”, or “up” and “down” at the same time. Think you have a computer system that can be 1 and 0 at the same time. This principle establishes the framework for the basic information component of a quantum computer, a qubit.
Qubits play a role similar to bits on a computer. How described on the Frontiers of Engineering: State-of-the-art Engineering Reports from the 2018 Symposium, “In classical computing, bits are transistors that can be turned on or off, corresponding to states 0 and 1. In qubits like electrons, 0 and 1 simply they correspond to states like the lower and higher energy levels discussed above. “
“Qubits are distinguished from classic bits, which must always be in the 0 or 1 state, by their ability to be in overlays with variable probabilities that can be manipulated by quantum operations during calculations.”
In short, quantum computers perform calculations based on the state of the probability object before it is measured, allowing them the potential to exponentially process more data compared to conventional computers. This is what makes quantum computing special. Due to the superposition principle, we are able to solve multiple problems in different ways.
2. Quantum computers can “contain uncertainty” in your head
For example, imagine you asked a quantum computer and a classic computer to figure out how to get out of a maze. The traditional computer would test all branches, discarding all paths until it finds the correct path. While a quantum computer will test all routes at once. A quantum computer can “hold the uncertainty in its head.”
Quantum computers will be used to tackle some of the world’s biggest problems, from artificial intelligence to healthcare. Are you already excited?
3. Quantum computing will help us usher in the era of artificial intelligence.
As you probably already know, artificial intelligence will change almost every facet of society. In fact, you’ve already seen the impact of AI on our smart homes, healthcare, and transportation. However, we are still a long way from the world of general AI, AI that can think and act like humans.
Quantum computing will offer the developing world of artificial intelligence more computing power, which in turn will lead to more robust artificial intelligence systems that can better understand us, “think for themselves,” offer more efficient machine learning, and solve better small and big problems. Quantum computing may be the boost we need to go beyond limited artificial intelligence.
4. We will have better cyber security
The basis of online security depends on factoring large numbers into prime numbers. As we mentioned earlier, quantum computers are great at this. However, the eventual widespread adoption of quantum computers will ultimately render our encryption methods obsolete.
Quantum computers could become a serious threat in the wrong hands. However, the good news is that emerging technology is also being used to develop new encryption methods and to create ultra-secure communication thanks to the properties of quantum mechanics handled by computers.
5. Quantum computers are already being used to develop exciting new technologies.
Will you have a quantum device in your hands? Or some new Apple Quantum computer? Probably not. Quantum computing will be used by technology companies, organizations, R&D, financial institutions, etc. Furthermore, there are currently companies that are using quantum computers.
Google is currently using them to improve the software found in autonomous vehicles and to better model chemical reactions. However, if you are interested in playing with a quantum computer, you can access the IBM quantum computer through its website and play some card games if you want.
6. Weather forecasts will be much more accurate
The weather forecast is very accurate but it still has its flaws. Accurately predicting the weather goes far beyond having to bring an umbrella for the day. Climate can directly affect the growth and functionality of an economy.
According to chief economist Rodney F. Weiher, almost 30% of US GDP USA$ 6 billion) is directly or indirectly affected by the climate, affecting food production, transport and retail, among others. Quantum computing will usher in a new era in weather forecasting and natural disaster prediction.
7. Quantum computing will help us create better life-saving medications.
As mentioned earlier, one of the most important attractions of quantum computing is its ability to analyze countless situations at the same time to provide a solution. Active drug research requires chemists to evaluate the interactions between molecules, proteins, and chemicals to see if the drugs will improve certain conditions or cure diseases.
However, as you can imagine, there are a lot of combinations that need to be analyzed. Quantum computing could cut this curve in half, helping chemists discover viable drug options faster. Furthermore, quantum computing could help reduce the time required for the development of personalized drug treatments.
To the future
There are many reasons why people should be excited about quantum computing. However, don’t expect to see technology in your home. The effects of quantum computing will be felt by improving the quality of life for people around the world by creating better technologies. Should you be excited? Of course. As Nella Ludlow put it, “Quantum computing promises to be a disruptive technology with speed improvements so dramatic that real manageable solutions to difficult problems could be solved in hours and days.”
“These same problems would take hundreds of years to resolve on our best supercomputers, known as classic computers, forcing your search for all possible solutions.”
