While binary computing has come a long way from its initial days and when the transistor was first used in computing, it is now reaching a stage where its capacity will start to become insufficient.  

The power of classic computing is based on a straightforward concept: the more transistors there are on a chip, the more powerful the computer will be. And, therefore, to increase computing power, we should be able to squeeze the size of the transistor. We have done this successfully over the years using Moore’s Law. Case in point: the PC of the 1970 had about 300 transistors. The iPhone you carry in your pocket today has 19 billion! 

However, the limit to which we can reduce of the transistor is now starting to reach its lower threshold. Which implies that we are close to reaching the peak of enhancing computing power through reduction of transistor size. 

This is where the power of quantum computing will act as a powerful next step to continue the innovation in automation and data processing. To understand what quantum computing is, it is important to get a feel for its underlying concept – quantum superposition and its extension into quantum mechanics. 

You may have heard of a thought experiment by Erwin Schrödinger, where he put forth a hypothesis – a paradox that a cat may be considered both alive and dead at the same time. Imagine this cat is put in a box with a poison that can be activated under certain conditions. When the box is closed (and you cannot see what’s happening inside), there is a 50% probability that the cat is alive and 50% that it is dead.  

This hypothetical phenomenon, commonly known as “Schrödinger’s Cat”, is one of the most fascinating parables to describe quantum superposition. Conversely, once the box is opened and we witness whether the cat is dead or alive – that is a binary (yes or no) position, which leads to the collapse of the quantum superposition. 

I have had a deep fascination with quantum mechanics from my very early days. This is mainly thanks to the fact that I studied it at university and found it to be a powerful theory with many applications. The fascination has stayed with me over the years. Today, as quantum computing starts to make strides towards becoming a realizable concept, I still believe that it has the potential to make a remarkable impact on diverse aspects of the way the world lives and does business. 

The basic principles of quantum computing 

There are a set of terms which describe the various components of quantum computing. While these sound technical, I have done my best to explain what they mean. The first is Qubits (or quantum bits), which act as basic units of information. They use principles of quantum superposition to result in the linear combination of two states. They are interdependent and go through “entanglement” when what happens to one Qubit results in an impact on another. Then come Quantum Gates, which form reversible circuits to help perform basic operations.  

Combined with Quantum Algorithms to add structure / process to run an operation, Quantum Decoherence to support environmental interaction and error correction, and Quantum Supremacy which showcases its speed advantage, quantum computing becomes a realizable and implementable concept. 

Using the power of quantum computing 

Given the exponentially increased speed of computing it enables, the concept can have a transformative impact in several use cases that I can think of, some examples of which include: 

• Cryptography and its applications in cyber security: quantum key distribution can make messages super-secure and almost impossible to hack and is a powerful alternative to classical cryptography 
• Optimization by enabling near-accurate predictive models – for use in industrial applications such as supply chain or social infrastructure ones such as traffic management by redistributing cars in dense road networks, assisting in intelligent routing, etc. 

• Molecular simulation and protein folding helping drive smarter and faster drug discovery  
• Use of evolved risk analysis and fraud detection to make financial models stronger and banking operations more secure 
• Impact on material science by driving the discovery and design of new materials, including high-temperature semiconductors 

The world is already at a stage where Artificial Intelligence is starting to make great strides in being practicably applicable in real-world scenarios. By enabling enhanced capabilities for machine learning and driving complex data analysis, quantum computing is bound to have a major impact on its efficacy and application in the fourth industrial revolution and beyond. 

Are we there yet? 

Admittedly, quantum computing is still in its nascent stages. It cannot act as an alternative to classical computing at its current stage of development and is being used to solve specific problems in a small scale today. We have several challenges to address before this starts to become a reality.  

The primary one is keeping qubits in superposition.  This needs the particles to stay near absolute zero (−273.15 °C). Moreover, quantum superposition is a very unstable state with the need of complex correction processes. In its current stage of development, it is still open to security vulnerabilities, including RSA (asymmetric) encryption threats and the resultant need for post-quantum cryptography. In its untested stages, it could therefore lead to potential breaches of sensitive data and threats related to infrastructure security.  

Beyond the conceptual threats is the socioeconomic and geopolitical impact, where development of a powerful tool such as quantum computing could drive a quantum arms race and lead to significant increase in espionage and surveillance.  

What lies ahead… 

But these risks and challenges cannot impede the march of quantum computing. And, much like any other transformative concept, the world will find a safe way to benefit from its power. Every time a new wave in technology is about to begin, it brings along a wave of fascination and suspicion. AI and IoT are the most recent examples of how such fascination and suspicion has been overcome and how they have become part of our everyday lives today. 

A powerful concept such as quantum computing will, when it materializes, disrupt everything that we are accustomed to in terms of ways of working and how we think.