Quantum computing has long been the topic of scientific fascination—touted as the next revolution in technology, quantum computers promise to solve problems that are beyond the reach of classical machines.
Exhaustive technology of this magnitude hasn’t been seen in decades, begging the question: Is it still too early to expect practical applications of this instrument, and if so, why?
With major breakthroughs celebrated in the media, it is worth asking whether quantum computing is a technological game-changer or merely a fanciful dream.
Quantum computing operates on fundamentally different principles than classical computing. According to Internal Business Machines Corporation (IBM), “Classical computers process information using bits, which exist as either a one or a zero (binary code). However, quantum computers rely on qubits, which can exist in a state of both one and zero simultaneously due to a phenomenon known as superposition.”
This ability to process multiple possibilities at once allows quantum computers to perform certain calculations exponentially faster than any classical computer.
Quantum computing holds immense potential across various fields, offering transformative capabilities. In artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, it can accelerate task optimization by processing large and complex data sets simultaneously.
Ernst and Young (EY) reported that financial institutions could use quantum computing to model investment behaviors more accurately, manage risks and optimize portfolios.
According to McKinsey and Company, pharmaceutical companies are involved in understanding molecular formation, which makes the industry well-suited for advancements in quantum computing.
The authors stated molecules, especially those used in drug development, are quantum systems governed by quantum physics. Traditional computing methods often struggle to simulate these systems accurately, especially when atomic-level interactions are crucial.
In contrast, the authors noted quantum computers are “expected to predict and simulate the structure, properties and behavior (or reactivity) of these molecules” much more effectively. With quantum computers advancing rapidly, their ability to tackle complex molecular simulations holds the potential for immense value in pharmaceutical research.
The World Economic Forum noted that organizations like Google and NASA have just announced that they have achieved “quantum supremacy.” They went on to add how, “their quantum computer solved a problem in 200 seconds that would take the world’s fastest supercomputer 10,000 years.”
While these milestones are impressive, it is important to note that the problems being solved are largely theoretical at this stage.
Despite the excitement, quantum computing still faces significant technical challenges.
Vox author, Bryan Walsh, highlighted how, “refrigeration is key to making IBM’s quantum computers work, and it also demonstrates why doing so is such an engineering challenge. While quantum computers are potentially far more powerful than their classic counterparts, they’re also far, far more finicky.”
Walsh went on to add how, “the challenge IBM and other companies face is engineering quantum computers that are less error-prone.”
MIT Technology Review furthered the sentiment, expressing that, “quantum computing is barely into its proof-of-principle stage, with a long way to go.”
Vox reported that IBM, for example, recently unveiled its 127-qubit processor, but experts said “to fulfill that promise, you’re going to need some revolutionary development.”
There is no denying the theoretical power of quantum computing, but the hype surrounding the field can sometimes overshadow the reality. Many headlines proclaim quantum computing as just around the corner, but in truth, we are still far from realizing its full potential.
As Bryan Walsh of Vox noted, the road to a practical quantum computer is long and fraught with some of the hardest challenges in computer engineering.
Quantum computing holds incredible promise for the future, from revolutionizing fields like cryptography and drug discovery to solving problems in climate science.
However, it is essential to temper expectations. The technology is still in its early stages, and while progress is being made, it may be years before we see practical, large-scale quantum computers.
Copy edited by Camiryn Stepteau
