Understanding how this kind of technology works usually requires several years of study at the degree level. Fortunately, you don’t have to understand technology like Einstein did to reap its benefits. However, while it is expected to usher in an era of new discoveries in fields such as astrophysics, drug discovery, and materials science, what it does and what impact it will have on society remains unclear. , there are still some common misconceptions. Here’s an overview of the five I encounter most often.

1. Quantum Computers Will Replace Classical Computers

Quantum computers will not replace classical computers, which convert information into binary bits (1s and 0s) for digital processing. There are many tasks that do not require the enormous power of quantum computing at all. Quantum computing has the potential to perform computations in hours or minutes that would take billions or even trillions of years for conventional computers. However, the average computer user doesn’t need to use quantum computing for communication, creativity, or business tasks. This means that the classic computer, which is much cheaper and easier to manufacture, will still be with us for some time.

2. Quantum computers are fast for all kinds of work

Quantum computers excel at a subset of mathematical problems that are only needed for complex tasks. Many of these are related to scientific research. For example, if a physicist wants to build a simulation that models the behavior of subatomic particles, he needs a computer that can operate on quantum principles. It is also ideal for modeling non-quantum but highly complex systems such as financial markets, weather patterns, and biological ecosystems.

One particular mathematical problem in which they are used is optimization problem You have to choose the best combination among many variables. This means that as neural networks become more complex and able to analyze larger amounts of data, they become more and more useful in machine learning.

But even though we use computers for most of our day-to-day tasks, from word processing to watching videos to playing games, it’s still unlikely we’ll get much faster. Software developers have spent decades optimizing how to run these on classical computers, but quantum developers are just getting started.

3. Quantum Computing Means the End of Cryptography

Quantum computing has implications for cryptography, the technology that fundamentally underpins all privacy and data security on the Internet.

Not all are useless, but cryptographic protocols, including those widely used to protect data on the Internet, such as RSA and ECC, are more susceptible to quantum-powered hacks than traditional hacking attacks. much more vulnerable to attack.

This issue has been in the spotlight for some time, and cryptographers have been working hard to develop “quantum-secure” cryptographic protocols.

In the United States, the National Institute of Standards and Technology currently evaluation We discuss post-quantum cryptography threats and potential remedies. Absolutely speaking, you are right that no protocol is known for certain to never be vulnerable to quantum attacks. Twenty years from now, the amount of quantum computing power available to us will be exponentially greater than it is today. However, it is believed that research in areas such as lattice-based cryptography and multivariate polynomial-based cryptography will develop new secure protocols for some time yet.

4. Quantum computers are not yet practical

The evolution of the quantum revolution is still in its early stages, but it would be a mistake to think that it has not yet begun.

Delivery giant DHL is using quantum computers to Optimization of delivery routesGoldman Sachs has developed a quantum algorithm that is used to: financial calculation Rapid use by pharmaceutical conglomerate Merk quantum chemistry To support the development of new antibiotics, partnership BMW and Airbus are working on applying quantum technology to the problem of developing new fuel cells that are more efficient.

New use cases for quantum computing are emerging daily, and the market, currently valued at $866 million worldwide, is forecast It is expected to grow to $4.3 billion by 2028.

5. Quantum computing is only viable for governments and large corporations

Quantum computers themselves are certainly expensive and must be maintained and operated in highly secure and controlled environments, but the price of access to this technology is falling.

Many of the problems that quantum computers can solve are related to small businesses and organizations, such as optimizing supply chains or creating new products more efficiently.

This means that quantum computing providers are already developing and offering services designed to give these companies access to their technology. 90 percent of the world economy.

IBM, Google, and IonQ are just three examples of quantum computing providers offering access-as-a-service to small businesses and research groups.