Since the development of the electronic calculator in the 1960s, the field of computing has seen tremendous breakthroughs. In the field of information processing, the last several years have been particularly revolutionary. Technology has made what were previously considered science fiction dreams a reality. Our enabling equipment has become smaller and more versatile, and classical computing has become enormously quicker and more capable.

We are now moving into a new data era known as quantum computing, which is distinct from classical computing. By influencing the fields of artificial intelligence and data analytics, quantum computing is predicted to propel us into the future more quickly. The speed and power of quantum computing will enable us to tackle some of the most difficult problems that humanity has ever faced.

Quantum computing is related to the enigmatic field of subatomic physics, which bases computations on states of uncertainty at the atomic level. Quantum computing draws on a fundamental concept of quantum physics known as "superposition," which means a single entity can occupy multiple states simultaneously. Quantum computing is defined by Gartner as "the use of atomic quantum states to effect computation." Qubits (quantum bits), which can store all conceivable states at once, are used to store data. Even when physically isolated, information stored in one qubit can influence data stored in another. This phenomenon is known as quantum entanglement.

In simpler terms, quantum computers employ quantum bits, or qubits, for digital communications rather than the conventional binary bits of ones and zeros. Since atoms are a physical system that may exist in both 0 and 1 states at the same time, they are used in quantum computers.

Scientific discoveries in quantum research during the last few years have been particularly revolutionary, leading to vastly faster and more accurate computers. Technological realities have replaced what were once considered science fiction fantasies.

Recently, the first wireless transmission of a quantum algorithm between two distinct quantum processors was accomplished by a group of researchers at the University of Oxford. Utilizing their unique nature, the two cores combined to create a powerful computer that could tackle issues that neither could handle on its own. By using quantum entanglement, the Oxford researchers were able to transmit basic data between computers almost instantly.

Additionally, quantum computing is becoming increasingly feasible thanks to recent advancements that make it simpler to build and more effective at scaling. The two main methods for quantum computing are the gate model and quantum annealing. Workable quantum solutions that make use of annealing systems are now in use. And gate models may arrive much faster than originally anticipated. In the past year alone, there have been some very impressive breakthroughs in both annealing and gate models:

Microsoft has recently advanced the timeline for the actualization of large-scale quantum computing. Its new Majorana 1 processor uses particles that are the opposite of each other. Microsoft uses depends on many electrons moving in synchrony as though they were a single particle. This method would enable qubits to be rapidly scaled for practical applications. The scope is enormous: one chip has the potential to surpass the combined performance of all current computers.

Google unveiled its strategy for quantum computing and unveiled Willow, its newest quantum chip with significant error-correcting enhancements. Willow can use more qubits to scale up and reduce errors. The development was dubbed a breakthrough by Google that will increase the dependability of quantum systems. For the past ten years, Google has been developing quantum chips. According to the company, its most recent Willow chip is so quick that it can finish a calculation in less than five minutes that would take a top-tier supercomputer today, such as the Frontier supercomputer in Tennessee, 10 septillion years, technically older than the universe itself.

Reimei, the first hybrid quantum supercomputer in history, has been turned on by Japanese engineers. The 20-qubit quantum machine has been integrated into Fugaku, the sixth-fastest supercomputer in the world. The hybrid computer used Quantinuum’s architecture.

In order to develop a fault-tolerant quantum computer, Intel is taking steps to build scalable silicon-based quantum processors, which pave the way for mass production and further scaling of silicon-based quantum processors. Intel’s latest work focuses on three key areas that are essential to the development of quantum computing: high-volume testing, reproducibility, and qubit density. The silicon spin qubits produced by the company are smaller and denser than superconducting and trapped ion versions.

IBM recently created “IBM Quantum System Two" which is well-known for its quantum data centers. The modular quantum computer technology that IBM has introduced makes it simpler to scale and expand the capabilities of quantum computing. IBM made major hardware and software advancements to its quantum system; scientists say the company's latest quantum computer is now powerful enough for practical scientific study. IBM's newest 156-qubit quantum chip can run 50 times faster than its earlier version.

A major breakthrough in quantum computing has been made with the successful calibration and benchmarking of D-Wave Quantum's new 4,400+ qubit Advantage2TM processor. With the ability to solve issues 25,000 times faster and produce five times better results for high-precision jobs, the sixth-generation system outperforms its present AdvantageTM system in terms of performance. The processor demonstrated impressive performance in optimization, artificial intelligence, and materials science applications, outperforming the existing system in 99% of satisfiability problem testing.

Quantinuum recently Launched Industry-First, Trapped-Ion 56-Qubit Quantum Computer. An important milestone was achieved earlier last year that allows fault-tolerance was reached by Quantinuum's H-Series, which became the first to achieve "three 9s" – 99.9% – two-qubit gate fidelity across all qubit pairs in a production device. The development provides high fidelity to advance the field of quantum algorithms for industrial use cases broadly, and financial use cases in particular

Quantum Computing Inc. runs a full-stack quantum solutions business to accelerate the delivery of hardware systems for quantum information processing that offer analytics and cybersecurity performance benefits. The advantage of quantum photonic computing is that it is operational and can be conducted at room temperature as the particles are more stable. QCI recently announced they are building their own photonic quantum computing chip at scale.

Rigetti Computing provides cloud access to their quantum computing systems via the "Forest" platform and creates superconducting qubit processors. Forest is made to enable programs that employ a quantum processor to provide traditional software new capabilities, similar to how a computer may have a graphics card. According to Rigetti, this hybrid architecture will be essential to making technology workable. Programmers can create quantum algorithms on the platform to simulate a 36-qubit quantum device.

IonQ creates software and computers for trapped ion quantum technology. The qubits of IonQ are ionized atoms of the silvery rare-earth element ytterbium. In the universe, every ytterbium atom is the same as every other ytterbium atom. They can be created in a certain stable quantum state and stay there for extended periods.

Back in 2022, I had the privilege of speaking at the "Commercialising Quantum" conference, which was hosted by the editors of The Economist and focused on how businesses can get ready for the modern world. My message was that we should be ready to invest to ensure that quantum capabilities for both national security and economic development are developed under the upcoming elements of quantum technologies.

Many now believe that the power and speed of quantum computing will enable us to address some of the biggest and most difficult problems our civilization faces. Problem-solving will be made possible by quantum computing’s unprecedented processing speed and predictive analytics. That is a remarkable near-term potential. Mckinsey & Company forecasts that Quantum Technologies could create an economic value in the market of up to $2 trillion by 2035.

Quantum measuring and sensing is one field where quantum technologies have already made their appearance. Navigational devices and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) already employ it. Quantum sensors detect and quantify minute changes in time, gravity, temperature, pressure, rotation, acceleration, frequency, and magnetic and electric fields using the smallest amounts of matter and energy.

Quantum will have a direct impact on many scientific fields, including biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Industry applications will have an impact on a wide range of fields, including healthcare, banking, communications, commerce, cybersecurity, energy, and space exploration. In other words, any sector in which data is a component.

More specifically, quantum technology has incredible potential to transform a wide range of fields, including materials science, lasers, biotechnology, communications, genetic sequencing, and real-time data analytics. Quantum computing is also expected to speed up the future via influencing the Metaverse and artificial intelligence landscape.

The success of quantum computing aligned with quantum supremacy can also pose risks. The United States and other nations are concerned that hackers are stealing data now so that it can be cracked by quantum computers within the decade. The same processing power that makes it possible to quickly decode or solve complicated problems can also be used to compromise cybersecurity. This directly threatens financial systems and other vital infrastructure.

It would take a billion years for a traditional computer to crack the encryption of today's RSA-2048 standard. It could theoretically break in less than two minutes if you had a functional quantum computer

An event referred to as Q-Day by quantum researchers is where large-scale quantum computers can use Shor's algorithm to break all public key systems that employ integer factorization-based (and other) cryptography.

We are on the emerging pathway to the new era of quantum computing. And it is arriving in various forms sooner than we thought. Quantum technologies will inevitably be combined with artificial intelligence. The implications of that convergence will be transformational. We must now prepare for the exponential benefits and risks of quantum technologies due to their potentially disruptive nature.

Below are some organizations that possess a wealth of information for a deeper dive into quantum topics.

Academia is also getting more involved in quantum research and development. In an important development, scientists with the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) at the University of Chicago network will be opened to academia and industry as one of the nation’s first publicly available testbeds for quantum security technology. The CQE’s mission is "to lead the nation to an inclusive and sustainable quantum economy by connecting leading academic talent, top scientific facilities, and a diverse industry base that includes Fortune 500 companies, quantum startups, and a wide variety of sectors poised to adopt quantum technologies”.

Quantum Strategy Institute is an international network of cross-domain experts with rich and varied expertise, sharing a passion for quantum technologies. What united us was a vision and drive to explore and further the understanding of the practical applications of quantum computing across industries and to help bridge the white space between potential and practicality.

Also, follow QSI Founder Brian Lenahan on LinkedIn. Brian is LinkedIn’s Top Strategy Voice, Quantum Top Voice for 2022, 2023 & 2024, 3x Amazon Bestselling Author, MIT-trained, former executive, recognized speaker, consultant and mentor in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing.

Quantum Security Alliance was formed to bring academia, industry, researchers, and US government entities together to identify, define, collaborate, baseline, standardize and protect sovereign countries, society, and individuals from the far-reaching impacts of Quantum Computing.

IEEE Quantum is an IEEE Future Directions initiative launched in 2019 that serves as IEEE’s leading community for all projects and activities on quantum technologies. IEEE Quantum is supported by leadership and representation across IEEE Societies and OUs. The initiative has developed a project plan to address the current landscape of quantum technologies, identify challenges and opportunities, leverage and collaborate with existing initiatives, engage the quantum community at large, and sustain the Quantum Initiative in the long term.