We need more qubits!
…and they must be more reliable, stable, and error-free. IBM‘s roadmap suggests 2029 could be the breakthrough year, and they’re delivering on it. As a former IBMer, I follow this progress with fascination and pride. My pride extends to imec, our world-class research facility in Flanders, where Kristiaan De Greve and team are pushing boundaries.
Despite calls to “start today,” it seems to me that few companies urgently need to board the quantum train. For most, it’s okay to wait and see. Don’t forget that today there is still no problem where a quantum computer is superior to a classical computer (quantum supremacy). The quantum promise may still take decades to materialize. Also, it remains really hard to translate a business problem into a quantum algorithm but once the hardware and software mature, the algorithms will surely be made easily accessible on a higher level of abstraction;
At the Belgian Quantum Circle inaugural event yesterday, we were reminded that quantum encryption and quantum simulation are the two most promising use cases.
- Quantum encryption: Getting ready for post quantum cryptography and communication seems the most concrete (the only?) use case for now. It is a domain where real-world explorations are already underway. Apparently the new algorithms are not easy to apply correctly so it will take some time to get familiar with them. It doesn’t look like a plug and play replacement of your current encryption mechanism.
- Quantum simulation: Chemistry simulations in particular will be useful since traditional algorithms have limited accuracy. Researchers are trying to make the problem small enough to fit in current (and near future) quantum computing hardware.
Quantum computing remains one of the most fascinating and bizarre fields to keep on your radar.