Quantum computers are expected to solve many problems with high computational power, but they may also create new issues.
At the Thomas J. Watson Research Center of IBM in Westchester, New York, scientists always keep a box of dental floss on hand just in case it’s needed when working with quantum computers—devices the size of an oil drum that can complete tasks millions of times faster than a laptop and tens of thousands of times quicker than the most powerful supercomputers.
IBM’s quantum computer is called System One, protected by a type of glass similar to the bulletproof glass that safeguards the Mona Lisa, consisting of three cylinders that taper in circumference. This casing envelops a layered cluster of silver wires, with the base layer housing a quantum chip.
“Chandelier” inside the quantum computer designed to cool the processor chip at ultra-cold temperatures. (Photo: Time)
To function normally, the quantum chip requires ultra-cool temperatures of 0.015 K (-273° C). According to experts, most materials shrink or become brittle and fragile under such extreme cold, but dental floss is an exception.
“Dental floss is a necessary material to secure the internal wiring system of the quantum computer, but it must be the wax-free, unscented type. Otherwise, escaping vapors will cause everything to get messy,” said Jay Gambetta, Vice President of IBM’s Quantum division.
IBM is a pioneer in quantum computing, with over 60 operational machines, more than the rest of the world combined. Other notable names in the field include Google, ExxonMobil, Sony…
The Power of Quantum Computers
While traditional computers rely on binary bits—on or off, represented as 1 and 0—to process information, quantum computers utilize what are known as qubits as their foundation. These are small subatomic particles that can exist simultaneously in both states, much like a spinning coin in mid-air. The leap from dual processing to multivariate processing exponentially increases computational power. Consequently, complex problems that the most powerful supercomputers take years to solve can be completed by quantum computers in mere seconds.
Experts indicate that while quantum computers may appear simple at first glance, they are beginning to play a crucial role in many areas, from optimizing the routes of thousands of fuel-carrying ships across the globe to determining which ICU patients need urgent care, and even mimicking chemical processes at the atomic level to design new materials. In the field of AI, quantum computers enhance the training of algorithms, potentially bringing autonomous flying cars or taxis to reality.
“Quantum AI simulations have demonstrated incredible levels of efficiency recently,” remarked Chris Inglis, Director of the U.S. National Cybersecurity.
The industrial applications of quantum computers are deemed limitless. BMW serves as an example. The time required to create a new car model takes at least four years, with the testing phase being the longest. However, according to Carsten Sapia, Vice President of Strategy, Governance, and Security at BMW, the application of quantum computing in vehicle operation simulations allows the company to shorten this process by at least six months.
Meanwhile, global tech giants, from American companies like Google and Amazon to China’s Alibaba, are racing to gain an advantage in quantum technology. According to IDC, the global quantum computing industry is projected to grow from $412 million in 2020 to $8.6 billion by 2027.
“This technology will be the next industrial revolution,” Tony Uttley, President of Quantinuum—a company specializing in commercial quantum applications in Colorado—commented. “It’s akin to the dawn of the Internet or the beginning of classical computing.”
The Challenges of Quantum Computers
With their superior computational power, quantum computers can open unprecedented possibilities, helping to address existing challenges such as climate change and food security. With recent breakthroughs, humanity is predicted to be on the verge of a quantum revolution.
A sample quantum chip from IBM. (Photo: Time)
However, like any technology, breakthroughs come with risks. Experts warn that the ability of quantum computing to solve problems swiftly could render current computing systems obsolete, jeopardizing communications, financial transactions, and even military defenses.
Among these concerns, the power of decryption is the greatest worry. Currently, all cybersecurity systems—from WhatsApp messaging, bank transfers to digital signatures—rely on RSA, an asymmetric encryption algorithm used to securely transmit data.
With RSA, a conventional computer might need billions of years to crack it, but a quantum computer could do it in just a few hours. In December 2022, a group of Chinese scientists claimed to have developed a quantum algorithm to break RSA using a 372-qubit computer. Although it has not yet been verified by a third party, the research results have sparked lively debates and concerns as existing encryption systems can be easily compromised by quantum computers.
Dario Gil, Senior Vice President and Director of Research at IBM, assessed that current quantum computers are not yet powerful enough to break encryption, but the future may not be the same. “Hackers may have collected data to use in a few years. Every day, if we do not switch to more secure protocols, the risk of system breaches and attacks will occur,” he predicted.
In addition to security risks, the computational capabilities of quantum computers also make verifying their correctness extremely challenging. While with current computers, humans can still verify results with pen and paper, “This may lead to a leap of faith,” Gil stated. “Building trust across the entire quantum computing ecosystem is truly important.”
