Buzz
The scientific community generally agrees that the first fully operational quantum computer will be up and running in about a decade—an event so momentous that many are already marking the countdown to Y2Q: 'years to quantum.'
People who are somewhat familiar with quantum mechanics often associate the field with a sense of 'strangeness' that even the most experienced quantum physicists struggle to grasp. It evokes thoughts of walking through walls, time travel, and an uncertainty that challenges our deepest understandings of truth and reality. Conventional measurements begin to lose their meaning.
Given the immense power of quantum technology, it’s clear that whoever controls it in the future will hold a significant advantage across various fields such as politics, finance, security, and beyond. Major companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Intel are eagerly exploring 'quantum-safe cryptography,' driven by the fear that quantum-enhanced hackers could bring down their operations—and possibly entire governments.
Since it’s becoming increasingly certain that quantum computing is here to stay, it’s crucial to understand what this development means for the future, as well as the exciting (and at times daunting) new possibilities that quantum technology will introduce.
Here are ten remarkable consequences of quantum technology.
10. A Massive Leap in Computational Speed
To start with a very brief overview: The device you're using to read this relies on the same basic technology that powers nearly every computer in use today. It operates in a limited, binary world where data is encoded as bits—commonly known as 0s and 1s—which can only exist in one of two possible states (on or off). Quantum computing, however, leverages 'qubits,' which can exist in a nearly infinite number of states at the same time. (In simpler terms, n qubits can represent 2^n states simultaneously.)
When a conventional computer is given a string of thirty 0s and 1s, there are about a billion possible variations of that sequence. A regular computer would need to check each combination individually, consuming a lot of time and memory. In contrast, a quantum computer could analyze all one billion sequences at once—significantly speeding up the computational process and reducing resource usage.
In fact, quantum computers will be able to perform calculations in mere seconds that would take the most powerful supercomputers of today thousands of years to complete.
9. Uncovering New and More Potent Medications
The breakthrough of DNA sequencing was partly driven by substantial advances in computational power, as anticipated by Moore’s Law. Now, we are on the brink of a revolutionary shift in healthcare, fueled by quantum computing.
Although there is a vast array of effective medications available, the speed at which they can be developed, as well as their ability to treat specific conditions, is still relatively limited. Despite recent advancements in speed and precision, these improvements are modest due to the constraints of conventional computers.
The human body is an incredibly complex organism, with countless ways a drug can interact with its environment. When you factor in the infinite genetic variability at the molecular level, the potential reactions for non-specific drug treatments rise into the billions.
Quantum computers will be the only ones capable of analyzing every possible scenario of drug interaction and offering not only the most effective course of action but also an individual’s likelihood of success with a specific drug—thanks to a combination of faster, more precise DNA sequencing and a deeper understanding of protein folding.
These breakthroughs—particularly in the area of protein folding—will inevitably lead to a greater understanding of how life operates, which in turn will bring about more accurate treatments, superior drugs, and improved outcomes.
8. Unlimited Security
Beyond its revolutionary potential in medicine, quantum technology also offers the possibility of nearly unbreakable cybersecurity and ultra-secure long-distance communication.
In the realm of quantum phenomena, there exists a concept known as 'quantum entanglement,' where two or more particles become mysteriously linked, regardless of the distance or medium between them, without any visible signal. This phenomenon was famously described by Einstein as 'spooky action at a distance.' Since no physical medium exists through which these particles communicate, signals encoded with entangled particles would be impossible to intercept. While the technology required for such communication is still in its infancy, its potential could revolutionize both private and national security.
The massive increase in computing speed would also bolster cybersecurity, as the enormous processing power of quantum computers would enable them to resist even the most advanced hacking attempts, thanks to quantum encryption. 'Quantum computing will undoubtedly be used in areas like machine learning, cloud computing, and data analysis,' explains Kevin Curran, a cybersecurity expert at Ulster University. 'In security, this means intrusion detection, pattern recognition in data, and more advanced forms of parallel computing.' Quantum computers could essentially predict the actions of a hacking computer by millions—or even billions—of steps ahead.
7. Infinite Hacking
Naturally, with great power comes great responsibility, and the very quantum abilities that could elevate encryption to unprecedented levels might also give hackers the means to effortlessly break even the most complex security systems created by today's relatively rudimentary machines.
Modern cryptographic methods are typically built on mathematically challenging problems. While these problems are enough to deter most conventional supercomputers, a quantum computer could easily crack them. With its unparalleled ability to recognize patterns in vast data sets at lightning speed, a quantum computer could factor large numbers (a task that remains one of the biggest hurdles for hackers), which today’s computers can only accomplish by testing one possibility after another. With qubits and quantum superposition, every potential option can be tested at the same time.
In fact, it took around two years and hundreds of computers working in parallel to decrypt a single instance of the RSA-768 algorithm (which has two prime factors and requires a 768-bit key). A quantum computer, however, would finish this task in a fraction of a second.
6. Precision atomic clocks and advanced object detection
Atomic clocks are not just crucial for everyday timekeeping—they are fundamental to many of today’s technologies, including GPS systems and communication tools.
Typically, atomic clocks are not associated with needing further fine-tuning. The most precise atomic clocks function by harnessing the oscillations of microwaves emitted when electrons shift energy levels. These clocks use atoms that are nearly frozen to absolute zero, which allows for extended microwave probe durations and greater precision.
Next-generation atomic clocks utilizing advanced quantum technology will be so precise that they can serve as highly sensitive object detectors. They will be able to detect even the smallest changes in gravity, magnetic fields, electric fields, motion, temperature, and other phenomena that vary in the presence of matter. These variations would then be reflected by changes in time. (Remember, space, matter, and time are deeply interconnected.)
This ultra-precise detection will aid in locating and removing underground objects, tracking submarines deep beneath the ocean’s surface, and enhancing navigation and autonomous driving systems by helping software distinguish between vehicles and other obstacles more effectively.
As David Delpy, the head of Britain’s Defense Scientific Advisory Council, aptly states, 'You can’t shield gravity.'
5. Financial Markets
In the fast-paced world of finance, speed is paramount. Many challenges faced by the financial industry, many stemming from insufficient computational power, remain unresolved. Even the most advanced traditional computers, relying on binary data (0s and 1s), cannot adequately predict future financial events or solve complex problems related to option pricing in a constantly changing market.
For instance, some stock options involve complex derivatives that depend on the path taken by the price of the underlying asset—meaning that the payout is determined by the asset's price trajectory. Mapping and predicting every possible ‘path’ for such an option is too daunting a task for current technology. However, thanks to their speed and processing ability, quantum computers could theoretically detect inaccurately priced stock options and capitalize on them before the market adjusts.
This immense computational power could cause significant disruption in the market, giving an unfair advantage to a small number of firms possessing quantum technology while sidelining individual traders and companies unable to afford such advancements.
4. Mapping the Human Mind
Despite the extraordinary progress made in neuroscience and cognition in recent years, scientists still understand surprisingly little about the workings of the human mind. What we do know is that the brain is one of the most intricate systems in the universe, and unlocking its full potential will demand an entirely new level of computational power.
The human brain contains approximately 86 billion neurons—cells that transmit small amounts of information through quick electrical impulses. While the basic electrical framework of the brain is well-documented, the mind itself remains elusive. As neurobiologist Prof Rafael Yuste of Columbia University puts it, “The challenge is precisely how to go from a physical substrate of cells that are connected inside this organ, to our mental world, our thoughts, our memories, our feelings.”
In their pursuit of understanding the mind, neuroscientists have often compared the brain to a computer, given that the brain processes sensory information and generates relatively predictable responses. And what better tool to study the mind’s mechanisms than a computer itself?
For Dr. Ken Hayworth, a neuroscientist who maps tiny sections of mouse brains, “to image a whole fly brain it is going to take us approximately one to two years. The idea of mapping a whole human brain with the existing technology that we have today is simply impossible” without the power of quantum computing.
3. Material Science and Engineering
It’s clear that quantum computing holds tremendous potential for material science and engineering, as its computational strength is particularly suited to exploring new frontiers at the atomic level.
Quantum computing will enable the use of increasingly advanced models to study how molecules assemble and crystallize, paving the way for the discovery of new materials. These breakthroughs could lead to the development of innovative structures, impacting industries such as energy, pollution control, and pharmaceuticals.
“When an engineer builds a dam or an aeroplane, the structure is first designed using computers. This is extremely difficult at the size scale of molecules or atoms, which often assemble in non-intuitive ways,” explains Graeme Day, a Professor of Chemical Modeling at the University of Southampton. “It is difficult to design at the atomic scale from scratch and the failure rate in new materials discovery is high. As chemists and physicists trying to discover new materials, we often feel like explorers without reliable maps.”
Quantum computation will provide a much more “reliable map,” by allowing scientists to simulate and analyze atomic interactions with incredible precision, which in turn would lead to the creation of entirely new and more efficient materials—without the trial and error that inevitably comes with attempting to construct new materials on a larger scale. This means we will be able to find and create better superconductors, more powerful magnets, better energy sources, and much more.
2. Genetics
The completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 marked the dawn of a new era in medicine. With a deep understanding of the human genome, we can now create highly personalized treatments tailored specifically to the individual’s unique genetic profile.
Despite our extensive understanding of human DNA, our knowledge of the proteins that DNA codes for remains surprisingly limited.
Enter quantum computing, which holds the potential to map proteins just as we map genes. This technology will also enable us to model complex molecular interactions at the atomic level, offering invaluable insights for advancing medical research and pharmaceuticals. By simulating interactions between over 20,000 proteins and a vast range of drugs (even those that have not yet been developed), we will be able to identify potential breakthroughs. Quantum computing, combined with advanced optimization algorithms, is likely to lead to new cures for diseases that are currently considered incurable.
The speed of quantum computing will further enhance the use of 'quantum dots'—tiny semiconductor nanocrystals just a few nanometers in size. These nanocrystals are already at the cutting edge of cancer detection and treatment.
Moreover, quantum computers may be able to determine if mutations in DNA—currently believed to be entirely random—are actually caused by quantum fluctuations.
1. Discovering Distant Planets
It is no surprise that quantum computing will play a crucial role in space exploration, which often involves analyzing vast amounts of data. NASA engineers, using quantum processors cooled to 20 millikelvin (just a hair above absolute zero), are planning to harness quantum computing to tackle highly complex optimization problems that involve billions of data points.
For example, NASA scientists will leverage minuscule fluctuations in quantum waves to detect subtle, distant heat differences emitted by otherwise invisible stars and possibly even black holes.
NASA is already applying the core principles of quantum computing to develop safer and more efficient space travel methods, especially for robotic missions. These missions are typically planned a decade in advance, with the aim of using quantum optimization to predict all possible scenarios and create contingency plans for each outcome, utilizing advanced optimization strategies.
With better planning of robotic missions, more efficient battery usage will become possible, which is critical as battery life remains one of the major limitations of robotic space exploration.
