Explore the potential applications of quantum computing technology.
Applications of Electronic Technology in Everyday Life
The supercomputers with astounding processing speeds based on the power of quantum physics will be key players in the future of computing technology. This is the assertion of Eric Ladizinsky, co-founder of the quantum computing company D-Wave.
The crux is that conventional computers solve one problem at a time in a sequence of events, but quantum computers can address multiple problems simultaneously. This capability is foundational for a revolution across various industries. The issue is not just processing speed but also that quantum computers can tackle complex problems that traditional computers cannot handle.
So, what aspects can quantum computing technology be applied to? Let’s explore.
1. Highly Accurate Weather Forecasting
Even with the best meteorological instruments, producing a weather forecast with near-perfect accuracy remains an infeasible task. However, with the advent of quantum computers, creating a weather model for a region or globally is entirely achievable.
Quantum computers can predict a storm, including when it will start and the paths it may take, even before it forms. Hartmut Neven, Google’s technical director, states that in addition to forecasting specific weather phenomena, quantum computers can also predict future weather trends for decades ahead, particularly the consequences of global warming.
2. Developing More Effective New Drugs
Bringing a remedy to modern life involves thousands of tests, decades of development, and often costs millions of dollars. This does not account for the failures encountered before production begins.
However, this will be a thing of the past with the power of quantum computers as these machines can generate thousands of potential molecular combinations for the drug under study, enabling scientists to quickly identify the most optimal solutions without the lengthy processes of the past.
Moreover, quantum computers could also have the capability to decode the human genome, which would lay the foundation for breakthroughs in the field of medicine in the future.
3. Say Goodbye to Traffic Congestion
Typically, traffic regulation using current computing systems only meets requirements when there is no congestion, and they often still require human intervention to handle the arduous task.
With the advent of quantum computers, all activities on the streets can be processed instantaneously, and these machines can provide optimal routes for vehicles during peak hours at all hotspots in the city. Naturally, this system operates entirely autonomously.
4. Tighter Information Security
We often use encrypted information without even realizing it, such as logging into email accounts or using credit cards to shop online. While the likelihood of this data being compromised is low, there are still significant risks from hackers.
With quantum computers, the security mechanism has been revamped with a quantum mechanical defense system. This system operates on a principle of matching locks to respective keys, incorporating identification from involved parties. This means that when you send someone an email, the recipient must have a quantum mechanical encryption key to unlock the email; if someone intercepts the email, they cannot unlock it even if they create a duplicate key.
However, applying quantum mechanical theory to information security also introduces potential dangers from the theory itself if hackers can access these advanced technologies.
5. Further Space Exploration
With the aid of the Kepler telescope, astronomers have discovered over 2,000 exoplanets, but the information we receive is often just a glimpse into the past of these planets.
Thus, there is a need for a computing system that can process this information and return it to its original format so that scientists can ascertain whether life ever existed on these planets, which is a critical aspect of modern astronomy.
6. Machines with Learning Capabilities
This concept lies at the heart of fictional films like The Matrix and The Terminator, and of course, we will focus on its beneficial aspects rather than its negative connotations.
Learning-capable machines will be one of the greatest strengths of quantum computing as future robot processors will have the ability to autonomously gather information, process it, and adapt to potential scenarios based on the received data. This will be crucial for space explorations or probing hazardous areas.
Conclusion
These are some of the benefits we can gain if quantum computing technology develops rapidly. While there are extremely clear advantages, we cannot ignore the potential risks that arise when future computing systems possess the ability to learn and operate independently without human intervention.
