Unveiling the Power of Quantum Computing in 2021

One of the most significant truths in computer science is that "the number of transistors we can place on a microchip doubles every 18 months, described by Moore's law. This empirical observation formulated by the co-founder of Intel Gordon Moore in the 70s. Today, it still represents a good indicator of the tremendous computational development experienced in the past decade. A higher density of transistors per chip translates to higher complexity and power of the processors. However, it is expected that Moore's law is doomed to fail because of the physical limits of miniaturisation and increasing costs to develop new generations of chips.

The power of quantum computing in today's digital world is significant. While traditional computers manipulate ones and zeros for smooth operations, quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits. Just like traditional computers use ones and zeros, but qubits have a third state called superposition which enables them to represent a one or a zero simultaneously. Instead of analysing a one or zero sequentially, superposition allows two quantum bits to represent four scenarios at the same time. Henceforth, the time it takes to crunch a data set is significantly minimised.

The most critical thing about a quantum computer is that it uses quantum mechanics that cannot entirely be understood even today to comprehend massive and repetitive algorithms, specifically linear algebra delivering results in seconds.

Till today, the power of quantum computing has enabled a remote economy, healthcare, partnership, education, secure and contactless transactions, and intelligence that overtake human minds. New quantum computing power will dominate a brand new technological era, offering massive rewards to companies and countries leading in 2021 and beyond.

Quantum Computer, the Leader of New Tech

Numerous breakthroughs from research, venture-backed companies, and the tech industry have found solutions to the challenges in scientific discovery last year. This has allowed quantum computing to switch from science fiction to reality to solve significant world problems.

Several companies, such as Atom Computing is applying neutral atoms for wireless qubit control. Besides, Honeywell's trapped ions approach and Google's superconducting metals have witnessed first-time results, setting the stage for the first commercial generation of quantum computers.

At the error-corrected qubit range between 40 and 80, these systems may offer capabilities that surpass classical computers that will, in turn, accelerate the ability to perform better in chemical reactions, resource optimisations, thermodynamic predictions, and financial predictions. Tech giants like Microsoft, IBM, Google, and Intel are ahead of any other companies to unlock the power of quantum computing. As many technologies and ecosystem breakthrough begin to emerge, coming years will be a decisive moment.

Future Prospects

Although a quantum computer comprises quantum bits that can store an infinite number of values while delivering a single measure, a regular computer can only store one value in one register. Like artificial intelligence, the quantum world is fully built on possibilities that have led humankind to be engulfed in fascination with the probabilities and chances on the horizon. Both the hardware and algorithms have to go a long way unless they grace the level of ecosystems. It is not an unattainable innovation but is reachable enough to learn and research for now.

Recent developments show that the lab's progress has started to transfer into commercial products, particularly cloud computing. Xanadu Quantum Cloud announced collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to bring its open-source quantum software library PennyLane to the cloud computing giant. Also, IBM managed to reach one of the most accepted general quantum computing performance measures on one of its systems.