Digitally Curious

CHAPTER 20QUANTUM COMPUTING

This is probably one of the most futuristic topics in the book. Although quantum computing may be a few years from becoming a mainstream technology, the opportunities it offers, as well as the threat it poses to existing security systems and encryption, make it a future technology well worth being digitally curious about.

What is Quantum Computing?

Quantum computing is a revolutionary approach to computation that uses the peculiar principles of quantum mechanics, a branch of physics that describes the behaviour of particles at the microscopic level.

Unlike traditional computers, which process bits of information as 0s or 1s, quantum computers use quantum bits (qubits). Qubits have the remarkable ability to exist in a state of 0, 1, or both simultaneously, thanks to a phenomenon known as superposition. This allows quantum computers to process vast amounts of data simultaneously, potentially solving complex problems much faster than current computers.

The implications of quantum computing are vast. By offering solutions that are currently beyond the reach of classical computing technologies, quantum computing promises breakthroughs in fields such as cryptography and drug discovery.

Practical and widespread use of quantum computing still faces significant technical challenges. These include maintaining qubits in a stable state and scaling up the number of qubits to a level where they can outperform traditional computers on a wide range of tasks.