Importance of Quantum Computing:

I. Introduction: Where Physics Meets the Impossible:

Quantum computing is where computer science meets quantum physics. Quantum physics is the science that governs how the tiniest particles in the universe behave. In theory, quantum computers can solve problems far beyond the reach of classical computers [1].

Quantum computer: A quantum computer uses qubits instead of bits. While a bit is either 0 or 1, a qubit can represent both 0 and 1 at the same time, thanks to a property called superposition [1].

And when tech titans like IBM, Google, and Microsoft began investing in quantum computing while it was still in its infancy, it became clear that these capabilities are more than just theoretical.

II. Quantum Supremacy vs. Quantum Advantage: The Race Beyond Imagination:

These companies have sparked a competitive race to achieve quantum supremacy.

Quantum supremacy: the ability of a quantum computer to solve a problem that is infeasible for a classical computer [2].

However, these problems are not necessarily practical; they are designed primarily to showcase the capabilities of quantum computers.

In 2019, Google claimed to be the first to achieve quantum supremacy, demonstrating that its quantum processor could solve a specific task in just 200 seconds—a task that would take the world’s most powerful classical computer around ten thousand years to complete.

The achievement was published in the journal Nature, where Google’s team reported that their quantum processor was able to solve a random sampling task—generating a specific distribution of random numbers (a math-oriented problem)—in just minutes. This task would otherwise (using a classical computer) take 10,000 years to solve [3].

From there, similar achievements followed. A second notable milestone is the work done by a group at the University of Science and Technology of China on Gaussian boson sampling (a physics-oriented problem). The team stated in December 2020 that the numbers were generated in a couple of minutes, while a classical computer would take 2.5 billion years to compute the same results [4].

However, the real milestone would be quantum advantage.

Quantum advantage: when a quantum computer solves a practical, commercially relevant problem more efficiently than a regular computer [2].

III. Follow the Money: Why Everyone’s Betting on Qubits:

It should also be noted that investments are not only tied to tech companies but also come from other sources, such as private investors, universities, and governments around the globe. According to a report by McKinsey & Co., these investments are expected to expand the market by $173 billion by 2040 [5]. So, the natural question would be: Why is quantum computing attracting different sectors of society worldwide?

The short answer is the threat that quantum computing poses to cybersecurity, as quantum computers can break current encryption methods [6]. In response, governments and companies are developing new algorithms to protect cryptographic systems from hackers who might exploit quantum technology.

On the brighter side, quantum computing can be applied to improve a wide range of industries, including material science, finance, machine learning, and even policy-making [7].

Quantum computing isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a technological revolution in the making. With the potential to break encryption, transform industries, and tackle problems once thought unsolvable, its impact will be massive.

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Stay tuned for our next blog, where we’ll delve into the heart of the matter and answer the big question: What exactly is quantum computing?

References:

Importance of Quantum Computing:

I. Introduction: Where Physics Meets the Impossible:

II. Quantum Supremacy vs. Quantum Advantage: The Race Beyond Imagination:

III. Follow the Money: Why Everyone’s Betting on Qubits:

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