Exploring the Future of Quantum Computing
As companies navigate a shifting digital environment, new challenges emerge for them to meet. Knowing which technologies can accelerate business operations is crucial.
Quantum computing is one such technology that will help solve difficult problems that traditional computers cannot. For instance, it can speed drug discovery, break encryptions, speed up financial transactions and enhance machine learning capabilities.
1. Quantum Advantage
Quantum advantage and quantum supremacy are complex concepts. Simply stated, advantage refers to solving real-world problems on a quantum computer which are difficult to simulate with classical computers; supremacy refers to selecting non-real world problems which you can show are faster than their classical equivalents using certain parameters.
IBM researchers are shifting from demonstrating quantum advantage to achieving quantum utility, taking a more pragmatic approach in planning for quantum computing’s future.
Business applications benefit greatly from computational efficiency and accuracy, such as improved energy use. Financial transactions provide unbreakable security; pharmaceutical companies can speed drug development with fast molecular simulation.
2. Error Correction
Quantum computing’s primary challenges stem from qubits’ susceptibility to environmental noise, which can alter calculations. To overcome this hurdle, scientists are working on strategies for shielding qubits from noise while developing error correction software.
Till then, noisy quantum computers will struggle to tackle many classically intractable problems; however, McKinsey predicts that progress towards building large-scale error-corrected quantum computers will accelerate rapidly this year.
Quantum computers could help facilitate use cases that involve simulating many variables or selecting among multiple options for route selection. An ambulance racing through rush-hour traffic could utilise quantum computers’ ability to simultaneously evaluate all potential routes and identify which one would lead directly to quicker delivery of lifesaving medicine to patients.
3. Hybrid Computing
Prior to quantum computers becoming capable of solving real business issues on their own, businesses will require hybrid quantum-classical computing. This combination of two different forms of computation is used today for various applications like simulating chemistry reactions or optimizing factory floors or global supply chains as well as detecting fraud or risk patterns in financial transactions.
Quantum computers offer the potential to perform calculations that classical computers cannot. For instance, accurate climate models requiring numerous inputs that represent real world conditions cannot be accurately represented by classic computers.
Finding talented individuals with complementary skill sets to maximize the benefits of quantum computing for any organization can be difficult due to its novelty; failing to do so could jeopardize value creation potential and jeopardise potential value creation opportunities.
4. Scalability
Scalability refers to the capacity of a technology or product to meet increased usage needs, whether that is increased users, storage capacity or transactions handled.
Quantum computers have the ability to consider many potential combinations simultaneously, which makes them useful in solving tasks that would be intractable using classical computers, such as finding prime factors in large numbers or routing traffic through an optimal path. Unfortunately, quantum computers won’t solve all problems faster or be more accurate for each issue than classic computers would.
As the QC industry expands, companies will need to identify applications with meaningful business impact that accelerate industrialization and reduce long-term investments risks. To do this, effective cross-industry collaboration must take place to establish use cases with significant business benefits that create demand stimulation while simultaneously driving innovation forward.
5. Personalized Learning
Quantum computing will have an immediate, profound effect on personalized learning by speeding up the creation of new, effective educational content. This is particularly relevant to courses with students entering with various levels of knowledge and ability – such as developmental math courses but also many general education classes.
Quantum technologies’ ability to run multiple calculations simultaneously make them the perfect solution for complex problems requiring simulation of scenarios with numerous variables or picking an optimal path among various options (such as traveling salesman problem). Multiverse, a Spanish quantum startup working closely with BBVA to optimise investment portfolios.
Survey respondents highlighted cross-industry collaboration as one of the primary obstacles to quantum computing ecosystem development, industrialization and derisking investments in this field. To do this effectively requires creating high impact use cases which drive demand thereby creating a virtuous cycle between supply and demand.