Where Do We Go From Here?

In 2019, Google proved "Quantum Supremacy" by completing a calculation in 200 seconds that would take a normal supercomputer 10,000 years (Arute et al., 2019). But we are still in the early days. Here is what happens next.

Fixing the Noise

Current quantum computers are incredibly fragile. A tiny change in room temperature or a stray magnetic field can ruin the calculation entirely. The next decade of engineering is entirely focused on building "Fault-Tolerant" systems that have enough backup Qubits to fix their own mistakes on the fly.

AI on Steroids

Artificial Intelligence is already highly capable, but it relies on processing massive amounts of training data. When we combine AI with Quantum Computing (creating Quantum Machine Learning), AI models will be able to learn, adapt, and evolve at speeds and depths we cannot currently predict.

Solving Climate Change

We urgently need better batteries for electric vehicles and more efficient ways to pull carbon dioxide directly out of the atmosphere. Quantum computers will allow researchers to simulate and invent completely new, perfectly efficient chemical materials at the atomic level, potentially helping us save the planet.

References

  • Arute, F., Arya, K., Babbush, R. et al., 2019. Quantum supremacy using a programmable superconducting processor. Nature, 574, pp.505–510. [DOI Link - Access via UEL]