I think I can safely say that nobody understands quantum mechanics.
Quantum mechanics is the foundation of physics, which underlies chemistry, which is the foundation of biology –> nature. Scientists who want to simulate nature, biology, and chemistry need a better way of making calculations that can handle uncertainty. Quantum computing will impact our ability to solve problems that are hard to address by traditional supercomputers. Instead of bits, quantum computers consist of qubits. Quantum mechanics allow qubits to code more information than bits. And without quantum mechanics, the matter would not exist.
Count every molecule
Quantum Computers are particularly good at calculating the properties of systems based on quantum mechanics. It includes molecules. Caffeine is a small molecule. It contains protons, neutrons, and electrons. The number of bits required for the molecule and bonds that hold it all together is approximately 10⁴⁸ (in case you do not know how big such a number is, here it is: 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000). Just one molecule!
~10⁴⁸
classical bits to model a single caffeine molecule and its bonds
2.95 × 10²⁰
caffeine molecules in a 95 mg cup of coffee
160 qubits
would let a quantum computer run that calculation
Smell your coffee before drinking and reflect that nature handles the single caffeine molecule effectively, almost without visible effort. A quantum computer with 160 qubits could make such a calculation.
With quantum computing, we really don’t know what we’re going to be able to solve. The answer is going to surprise us.
Solve 4 main problems
You might be wondering how quantum mechanics is even relevant to businesses today. Quantum computing may provide a new path to solving some of the hardest or most memory-intensive problems in business and science. There are four categories of problems quantum computers can solve much better than classical computers:
Encryption & cybersecurity
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Chemistry & biology research
Quantum computers could replicate chemical systems to give us new insights into molecules and reactions by simulating how the electrons in the atoms that make up molecules interact with each other. Designing new fertilizers is critical in food production, and scientists hope quantum computers will reveal more energy-efficient ways to make fertilizer.
Optimization problems
Rather than billions of trillions of individual operations, quantum computing can reduce the most challenging optimization problems — for example logistics — down to several functions where even a classical computer could find the optimal answer quickly.
Data analysis
Finding patterns is more challenging as datasets get larger — and they are getting huge in many scientific fields. Quantum computers offer a fundamentally different and faster way to explore these large datasets and could help solve this important type of problem.
Progress in quantum computing is happening fast. There is excellent progress in developing algorithms that quantum computers may use. But the devices themselves still need a lot more work.
Usain Bolt of computers
In October 2019, Google’s Californian research lab became the first to achieve “quantum supremacy,” performing a calculation that would be practically impossible for even the most potent classical supercomputer. The University of Science and Technology of China achieved quantum supremacy only 14 months later, claiming its quantum computer to be 10 billion times faster than Google’s. IBM hopes to have a 1,000-qubit machine by 2023.
2019
Google’s lab claims the first “quantum supremacy”
10 billion×
faster: China’s machine, just 14 months later
1,000 qubits
IBM’s targeted machine by 2023
The history of quantum computers started in 1935 with the EPR Paradox … but everyone can start learning about quantum computers & quantum physics (and what #qubits are) from comics: “The Talk” by Scott Aaronson & Zach Weinersmith. Learning about complex topics in an engaging way is essential (especially during a pandemic).
Learn from the masters
After some theory, there is time to start practicing. It looks like a good time for developers and other IT specialists to explore quantum computing. Let’s start with three programming languages where you can design and execute quantum circuits:
Microsoft Q#
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IBM Qiskit
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Google Cirq
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All three are built with user-friendly development environments with sample documentation to help developers start their quantum journey.
Digital transformation would not slow down; new emerging technologies would be adopted across industries. If you want to be ready for the next wave of digital transformation, it is an excellent time to learn some basics about quantum computing.