1. What Is Quantum Computing in the First Place?

To understand quantum computing, we should first explain how standard computing works. The usual computer works by processing bits, which are presented by a zero or a one. That’s why they are called binary systems. Quantum computers use a so-called quantum superposition to encode data. The bits are called qubits, and they can represent a zero, a one, or a combination.

2. Speed Is the Real Deal

Speed is the answer. Calculations become much faster with quantum computing. Although these computers process the same operations, they are much faster in doing that. Why is there such a substantial difference? First and foremost, quantum computers are different in superposition. The bits are more flexible, so they can take more than the two standard positions in classical computing (zero and one). Thanks to this ability, quantum computers can process numerous operations at the same time. Entanglement is another important factor that makes quantum computers different. It means that they can calculate operations simultaneously, and not one by one as our usual computers do.

3. Complex Calculations Are No Longer an Issue

Traditional computers are cool. However, they don’t have the power to simultaneously track some important things.

A quantum state can be much more complex than that because, as we know, things can be both particle and wave at the same time, and the uncertainty around quantum states allows us to encode more information into a much smaller computer.

As we can see, quantum computers can do something that standard ones can’t.

4. Quantum Computers Aren’t Cost-Effective Just Yet

If quantum computing is so cool, what stops it from becoming mainstream?

It’s not just the concept of quantum computing that’s complex. The computers themselves are complex, and they cost a lot. D-Wave Systems was the first company to start selling quantum computers. Do you know who the buyers are? NASA, USRA, Google, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Lockheed Martin. Those organizations can easily spend millions of dollars on a computer.

The price won’t go down anytime soon, so we shouldn’t expect this technology to replace our usual computers.

5. Quantum Computing Will Change Medicine, Too

Do your doctors rely on DNA tests before prescribing any medicine? Of course not. DNA tests are expensive and take a long time. Quantum computing will change that.

With faster and more accessible DNA tests, doctors will be able to diagnose illnesses and personalize the treatment for you.

Faster sequencing of DNA is the most obvious advantage that quantum computers have over traditional technology. However, we should remember that they can process more data, too. This means that the predictions from quantum computers will be more reliable. They could help us take the guesswork out of genetics and genomics.

6. We’ll Finally Understand Climate Change

The data that goes into climate change research is too big for traditional computing technology to work around. Since quantum computers can handle more data and process it more effectively, they will help us evaluate the situation more precisely. The World Economic Forum published an interesting article on the matter: How quantum computing could beat climate change. It explains that we’ll be able to simulate complex, large molecules with quantum computing. That should help us find effective solutions for carbon capture. With quantum computers, we’ll be able to simulate small molecules up to one million qubits. Currently, researchers simulate them up to a few dozen qubits. 

7. Quantum Computing Use-Cases

Quantum computing seems incredible and almighty in theory, but what about its practical implications and use-cases? How can we take it to our advantage? There are so many things to consider here, but we will point out the most interesting examples only:

– Weather and climate modeling: The issue of climate change is too complex for traditional computers to handle efficiently, but quantum computing can make more accurate predictions and help us to solve problems at least to a certain extent.

– Personalized medicine: Instead of relying on “one size fits all” solutions, doctors will be able to analyze patients’ DNA structures and come up with highly personalized treatments.

– eCommerce: Online retail giants such as Amazon are having a hard time analyzing millions of orders and shipments minute after minute. With quantum computing, it won’t be a problem to calculate everything within seconds.

Of course, we have to emphasize once again that quantum computing still has a long way to go. Traditional computers will remain the key IT power in the years to come, but we hope it won’t take too long for tech experts to come up with fully functional quantum computers.

Conclusion

People and businesses rely on classical computers to get things done faster and more efficiently, but it seems like quantum computing could give these processes a brand new boost. It’s a revolutionary computing format that could change the world as we know it, but how soon can we expect it to emerge?

Have you ever thought about quantum computing? Feel free to share your opinion in the comments, we would love to discuss this amazing topic with our readers!

Image Credit: Quantum computers

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Source: https://datafloq.com/read/quantum-computers-7-amazing-facts-you-need-know-about/15005