Quantum computation is the extension of classical computation to the processing of quantum information, using quantum systems like individual atoms, molecules, or photons. Plus, it is one of the top emerging technologies that will radically reshape the world, along with artificial intelligence and augmented reality. Quantum computers could perform certain tasks much more efficiently than classical computers and affords us with powerful tools for specific applications. Therefore, it will be beneficial in advancing solutions for the challenges of diverse fields such as energy, finance, aerospace, healthcare, etc. Their capabilities can help humans to cure diseases, improve global financial markets, detangle traffic, combat climate change, and complete many more complex tasks. For instance, quantum computing has the potential to speed up pharmaceutical discovery and development as well as improve the accuracy of the atmospheric models used to track and explain climate change and its adverse effects.
Can quantum computing be the ultimate vaporware?
People are making optimistic predictions for decades about the impact of quantum computers and the various advances in business and academia. But, today, quantum computers have finally arrived to replace the current high-speed computing systems. Recently, at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2019), tech-giant—IBM unveiled “IBM Q System One™”, the world’s first integrated universal approximate quantum computing system designed for scientific as well as commercial use. These quantum computer systems are designed to tackle the problems that are currently seen as too complex.
Now, one can visualize impossible things to become possible with the most powerful, advanced, auto-calibrated quantum computer hardware. Here are some major trends that could advance quantum computing to the next level in the revolutionary year 2019:
1. AI and Quantum Computers to tie a knot
In computer science, artificial intelligence is an extremely trendy field. Through machine learning and neural networks, scientists have tried to make AI more humane. If we blend AI with quantum computers, it will take us to a whole new level of possibilities. Developers are utilizing quantum algorithms to transform the field of artificial neural network optimization which is a prime supporter of machine learning and AI. Quantum computers and AI also share another trait—exponential growth. Processors for quantum devices are measured in qubits. However, quantum computing itself works in such a nature that matrices are often used to define and determine the quantum states of qubits. So with that, any computational process done on the neural network would be similar to using transformational quantum gates on qubits. Therefore, quantum computers seem like the perfect fit for neural networks incorporated in AI. Additionally, they help in significantly speeding up machine learning compared to a classical computer. That’s why Google has been investing in quantum computer research to use quantum hardware for the improvement of Google AI.
2. Quantum cryptography for security
Unlike traditional cryptographic systems that utilize mathematic models, quantum cryptography relies on physics as a key aspect of its security model. An unbreakable cryptosystem is developed with the help of individual particles—photons. Presently, this highly complex system is still in infancy but one cannot ignore its future capabilities as the recently launched quantum computers will be utilizing it for unmatchable security. At present, quantum cryptography has been demonstrated in the laboratory by IBM, but over relatively short distance communication. Similarly, some researches successfully transmitted photons through mediums like air but it was done in ideal working conditions for short distances. For longer distances, fiber optic cables can transmit photons bits up to 60 kilometers. This year, it is interesting to witness the emergence of this highly secured technology and how much it can push the distance levels.
3. Funding for quantum research and development
Recently, the US Department of Energy (DOE) has handed a $250 million boost to the quantum research. This huge amount will be utilized in 85 research projects at universities and national labs. Likewise, China is also a big contender in the multi-billion race of quantum. China has demonstrated rapid advances and innovation in technology and other disciplines that have drastically given rise to an international competition with the US and other actors in the Indo-Pacific. The tech-aggressive nation has announced $10 billion for a new facility of quantum research which is opening in 2020. Chinese powerful business giant—Alibaba and other companies have also gathered $15 billion for AI and quantum computing research.
4. Discovering new molecules by simulation
Molecule simulation has been a crucial field in biology and chemistry as it helps us understand the molecules’ structure and how they interact. But it also helps us discover new molecules. Despite the fact, classical computers can now simulate these molecular dynamics in a given simulation, but there is a limitation on the complexity of molecules. Today’s supercomputers can only simulate BeH2 and other simple molecules. In order to really find the molecule’s exact ground state, one needs to simulate how each electron in each atom interacts with other atoms’ nuclei. It gets even more complex as the molecule size increases. Quantum computers are able to break this barrier successfully and used for simulating small as well as large molecules. The powerful qubits enhance the power of computation in quantum computers. Therefore, these computers can make numbers of computation simultaneously and researchers are working towards investigating larger molecules that are beyond the scope of traditional computers.
5. Evolving the medicines for curing the diseases
Chemists need to evaluate the interactions between molecules, proteins, and chemicals to see if medicines are going to improve certain conditions or cure diseases in order to develop an effective drug. To analyze the extraordinary amount of combinations of molecules for medicines it takes time and labor intensively. Since quantum computers can simultaneously examine multiple molecules, proteins and chemicals which help chemists to identify viable drug options faster. The computational done by quantum computers would allow the genes of a person to be sequenced and analyzed much faster than the methods that we are using today and would allow the development of personalized drugs.
Conclusion
Many technologies-lead companies and governments around the world continue to make significant investments in the quantum computational field. They are counting on it to change the world by solving problems for today’s classical computers that are intractable. Plus, fully-fledged quantum computers have the capabilities to disrupt every industry. They will change the way people do business, protect data, watch, live, play, cure, invent, etc. Importantly, quantum computing will also help the human race to tackle some highly sensitive issues like changing the climate, terrorism, disease control, and rising population. Therefore, if handled and developed correctly, humans will confidently utilize this comprehensive technology in their daily lives which will assist them every now and then.
