Sonia M. Rompoti, MSc, Bsc

What is magic, but another way of viewing reality? And what if reality touched magic? In my humble opinion, quantum computing is just that: reality touching magic. 

Quantum computing is a type of computing that uses quantum-mechanical phenomena, such as superposition and entanglement, to perform operations on data. Unlike classical computers that use binary digits (bits) to represent and process information, quantum computers use quantum bits (qubits), which can exist in multiple states simultaneously. This allows quantum computers to solve certain types of problems much faster than classical computers.

Quantum computers are important because they have the potential to solve certain types of problems much faster than classical computers. These include problems in fields such as cryptography, chemistry, and machine learning. In cryptography, quantum computers could break currently-used encryption algorithms, making secure communication more challenging. In chemistry, quantum computers can be used to simulate and understand complex chemical reactions, potentially leading to the discovery of new drugs and materials. In machine learning, quantum computers can be used to analyze large amounts of data and identify patterns, which could have a significant impact on fields such as financial modeling, medical diagnosis, and even weather forecasting.

But who needs such a powerful machine? I mean, we are reaching magic levels… after all, what is clairvoyance if not being able to predict the future?

After some research, I figured that a wide range of industries and organizations could benefit from having access to a quantum computer. Some examples include financial services, healthcare, energy sectors, and military cryptography specialists. 

Down the rabbit hole we go… But we don’t. Cause where can one buy a quantum computer?

Quantum computers are still in the early stages of development, and they are currently not widely available for purchase by individuals or small businesses. Currently, access to quantum computers is primarily limited to large corporations, research institutions, and government organizations. However, several companies, such as IBM, Google, Microsoft, and Rigetti Computing, are developing quantum computers and offering cloud-based quantum computing services, where users can access a quantum computer over the internet and run their own algorithms and simulations. If you are interested in accessing a quantum computer, you may want to explore these cloud-based services or contact one of the companies that are developing quantum computers to inquire about their offerings.

You know I had to… I simply had to! How can one access a quantum computer, you ask? Then we are alike than you know hahaha

There are several ways to access a quantum computer:

Cloud-based services: Some companies, such as IBM, Google, Microsoft, and Rigetti Computing, are offering cloud-based quantum computing services, where users can access a quantum computer over the internet and run their own algorithms and simulations.

Research institutions: Some universities and research institutions have access to quantum computers and may allow researchers to use them for their work.

Partnership with a technology company: Companies developing quantum computers, such as IBM, may offer access to their machines for certain projects or collaborations.

Government programs: Government organizations may have access to quantum computers and may offer opportunities for outside researchers or businesses to collaborate or use their resources.

These are some of the ways you can access a quantum computer, but availability and the process for accessing them can vary depending on the institution or company. You may want to research the options available in your area and reach out to organizations or companies you are interested in working with to learn more.

So we aren’t seeing one up close anytime soon… but what does a quantum computer look like?

A quantum computer can take many different forms, but generally, it consists of a set of quantum bits (qubits), which are the quantum mechanical analogs of classical bits. These qubits can be made using a variety of physical systems, such as superconducting circuits, trapped ions, and nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamonds.

The exact appearance of a quantum computer depends on the type of qubits used and the design of the system. For example, superconducting qubit systems can consist of a complex network of wires, capacitors, and Josephson junctions cooled to very low temperatures. Trapped ion systems can consist of arrays of laser-cooled ions suspended in a vacuum.

In addition to the qubits themselves, a quantum computer will also typically include electronics for controlling and manipulating the qubits, as well as cryogenic cooling systems to keep the qubits at the required low temperatures.

Overall, a quantum computer can look like a large, complex system of interconnected components, often surrounded by extensive cooling and control systems. However, the exact appearance of a quantum computer can vary greatly depending on the specific design and technology used.

Hmmm… does AI use quantum computers?

Currently, AI applications are mainly run on classical computers, not quantum computers. However, quantum computers have the potential to significantly enhance some aspects of AI, particularly in the areas of machine learning and optimization.

For example, quantum computers can be used to perform certain types of machine learning tasks much faster than classical computers. They can also be used to solve optimization problems, such as finding the shortest path or the best allocation of resources, much more efficiently.

In practice, the use of quantum computers for AI is still in the early stages of development, and the availability of large-scale, practical quantum computers capable of running AI applications is limited. Nevertheless, research into the use of quantum computers for AI is ongoing, and it is possible that in the future, quantum computers will play a larger role in the development of AI technologies.

What does the future look like for quantum computing?

The future of quantum computing is still uncertain, but it holds great promise and potential. The development of practical and scalable quantum computers is an active area of research, and there has been significant progress in recent years.

In the near term, quantum computers are likely to be used for a limited number of specialized applications, such as simulating quantum systems, optimizing complex processes, and solving problems in cryptography and finance. As technology advances, it is possible that quantum computers will become more widely available and that their use will become more widespread across a range of industries.

In the longer term, it is possible that quantum computers will play a transformative role in fields such as medicine, materials science, cryptography, and artificial intelligence. However, there are also many technical and practical challenges that must be overcome before quantum computers can reach their full potential.

Overall, the future of quantum computing is bright, and there is a great deal of excitement and anticipation about what can be achieved with this technology in the coming years and decades.

On which theories of quantum physics, does quantum computing rely on?

Quantum computing relies on several key theories from quantum physics, including:

1. Superposition: This theory states that a quantum particle can exist in multiple states simultaneously until it is observed, at which point it collapses into a single state. This property is used in quantum computing to encode information in qubits, which can be in multiple states at the same time.
2. Entanglement: This theory states that the state of two or more quantum particles can be correlated in such a way that measuring the state of one particle affects the state of the other particle, even if they are separated by large distances. This property is used in quantum computing to create quantum gates, which perform operations on qubits.
3. Quantum algorithms: Quantum algorithms are algorithms designed to run on quantum computers that exploit the principles of quantum mechanics to perform computation. Some of the most famous quantum algorithms include Shor’s algorithm for factoring large numbers and Grover’s algorithm for searching unsorted databases.
4. Quantum error correction: This theory provides a way to protect quantum information from errors that occur during computation by encoding the information in a redundant manner and using error correction algorithms to detect and correct errors.

Overall, quantum computing relies on a deep understanding of quantum mechanics and its application to computation, and advances in the field have been driven by progress in the development of quantum algorithms, quantum error correction, and the design and implementation of quantum computers.

Our brains are too slow to register that every concrete object is winking in and out of existence at the quantum level thousands of times per second.

— Deepak Chopra