👨‍💻 What is quantum computing?

If you’ve ever thought:

Brace yourself. Quantum computing is here to ruin your day. (just kidding)

Thanks to recent technological advances, quantum computing is poised to revolutionize… pretty much everything.

McKinsey & Company projects that further advances in quantum computing technology could create an additional $2 trillion in value across the chemicals, life sciences, and financial services industries by 2035. (see a piece of quantum computing hardware below)

So, what is quantum computing?

Quantum computing uses insights from theoretical physics — particularly quantum mechanics — to process information in ways that traditional computers simply can't.

Traditional computers use bits, which are like light switches.

They're either on or off — 1 or 0.

This is the fundamental principle of binary code, which is the basis of all computer software.

Quantum computers, on the other hand, use something called quantum bits - or qubits.

Qubits are like magical coins that can be heads and tails — on and off — at the same time. 

This is called superposition, a term from physics that refers to the ability to be multiple things at the same time.

Now, here's where it gets really wild.

When you have multiple qubits, they can become “entangled.”

The quantum state of one or more “entangled” qubits can't be described independently — even if a large distance separates them.

This matters because measuring one qubit instantly affects the state of its entangled partner.

As a result: Superposition and entanglement allow quantum computers to crunch through certain problems at mind-boggling speeds.

We're talking about solving in seconds what might take a traditional computer millions of years.

Physicists and computer scientists have been playing around with the idea of quantum computing since the 1980s, but there were significant doubts about whether it could be achieved in practice.

Everything shifted in 2019, when Google changed the game by claiming to have achieved “quantum supremacy.”

The company said their quantum computer did a calculation in 200 seconds that would take a conventional supercomputer 10,000 years.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai (pictured above with a quantum computer) explained in a blog post:

These events set the stage for what is now a revolution in quantum computing, with governments and companies investing billions of dollars to advance the science of quantum computing. (see the chart below showing the amount of government investment in quantum computing research)

What are the benefits of quantum computing?

Quantum computing has the potential to change our world by tackling hyper-complex problems that have stumped us for ages.

Quantum computers could help us to:

• fight climate change by designing better batteries & solar panels and by making energy grids more efficient ⚡

• improve healthcare by revolutionizing drug discovery & advancing our understanding of diseases 💊

• make financial markets less risky by optimizing trading strategies & improving risk management 📈

All these possibilities may have you asking:

When can I own a quantum computer?

We’re not there yet, because there are a lot of technical challenges still facing quantum computing.

Quantum computers must be kept at extraordinarily low temperatures (just above absolute zero, or -459°F or 0 Kelvin), because heat causes errors in qubits. That’s colder than the temperature in outer space!

Also, current quantum computers are huge complex machines that take up entire rooms.

History suggests that this problem could eventually be overcome, just as old-school computers have shrunk over time.

But: shrinking quantum computers into robust and portable devices may no longer be necessary.

Because of the internet, it would likely be cheaper and more efficient to give users access to quantum computers through a cloud-based model.

The future of quantum computing

Easily accessible quantum computing could help solve some of our biggest global challenges.

Some of the technology’s most important applications probably haven't even been thought of yet.

It's like trying to predict the internet back in the 1950s. (see some potential use cases for quantum computing below)

Dr. Jay Gambetta, a quantum computing expert at IBM, said:

And as quantum computers become more advanced, we can expect that quantum computing memes will continue to improve as well.

ART OF THE DAY

Faust Aleph Null by Gray Morrow. (click here to see more art with wizards & computers)