Overview:
As we delve into the quantum revolution, with quantum computing becoming a buzzword and companies rushing to advance in the field, we are entering a new dimension beyond standard computing. With the advent of quantum computing, we’re going to see endless possibilities — one that involves solving problems deemed impossible with current technology and super computers.
How is Quantum Computing different from normal computing?
Cleo Abram, a tech YouTuber, explains quantum computers well with this analogy:
Imagine you’re a human on land trying to explore the area around you. With a horse (early computers), you can explore more efficiently and overcome hurdles that you couldn’t manage by just walking. Similarly, with a car, you can travel to places impossible to reach even with a horse.
Quantum computers aren’t a faster car.
They can be seen as a boat: it allows you to explore the seas and reach different islands, something that can’t be done even with the fastest car. Hence, “A boat isn’t a better car; it’s just built for different terrains.” That’s what quantum computers are.
Quantum computers involve working with Qubits — put in a very simple way, it’s just binary that’s not sure if it’s a 1 or a 0. And when many such confused binaries (or Qubits) interact, there’s a trend amongst their behavior. With quantum computers — you can exploit their confusion to your benefit when there’s a lot of them.
What are the possibilities?
Since everything in the world follows Quantum Mechanics (everyone is confused, yes.), Quantum computers can simulate real-world scenarios and help create solutions for real-life problems. Some applications include:
Drug Discovery: By simulating molecular structures at the quantum level, quantum computers can accelerate the discovery of new drugs.
Climate Forecasting: Quantum computers can improve the accuracy of climate models, helping us better predict and mitigate climate change. (very much needed with current forecasting systems being very unreliable)
Fraud Detection: They can enhance the detection of fraudulent activities by analyzing complex patterns in large datasets.
Optimizing supply chain management, and the possibilities are endless.
What about AI?
Quantum machine learning (QML) is an emerging field that combines quantum computing and AI. Quantum computers can handle vast datasets and perform complex calculations quickly, leading to more accurate models and faster training times.
They can also perform complex linear algebra operations, such as matrix multiplication, much faster than classical computers. Since many machine learning algorithms rely heavily on these operations, QML has the potential to revolutionize AI by enabling faster training times and more accurate models.
What powers does that give to researchers?
With the integration of QML, researchers gain several powerful capabilities:
- Enhanced Computational Power: Researchers can tackle problems that were previously considered too complex or time-consuming for classical computers.
- Accelerated Discoveries: Faster processing speeds mean that researchers can iterate more quickly, testing and refining hypotheses at an unprecedented rate.
- Handling Big Data: Quantum computers can process and analyze large datasets more efficiently, making it easier for researchers to draw meaningful conclusions from complex data.
- New Algorithms and Approaches: The unique properties of quantum mechanics enable the development of novel algorithms that can solve specific problems more effectively than classical approaches.
Isn’t that scary?
Yes, and no. In the wrong hands, quantum computing could allow access to highly confidential systems, potentially causing significant damage to institutions and governments. Imagine someone acquires military data, it could put national security at risk. Hence, every country is now in a race to make the best quantum computer and ensure they can be safe with Quantum resilient security.
Should I be scared?
The answer is confusing, yet simple — For example, current RSA encryption (the security standard most companies use to save your passwords in a manner that normal people can’t understand) relies on the difficulty of guessing a large number (2²⁵⁶ digits), traditional computers (or supercomputers) — might take billions of years to crack your Instagram password just by brute force (repeatedly trying new passwords, unless you keep it as your own name). However, quantum computers, using algorithms like Shor’s Algorithm, could potentially do this in hours or days.
But don’t worry, you won’t need to change your passwords just yet. Quantum computers capable of this feat would need to process around a million qubits simultaneously. Currently, the most advanced quantum computers, like IBM’s Condor, can process 1,121 qubits.
Preparing for Quantum Resilient Security
While quantum computers give us another terrain to explore, they do also make our current terrain very dangerous and exposed to unseen adversities. With respect to Quantum Resilient cryptography, it won’t be long before we see companies shifting to post-quantum cryptography (PQC), ensuring our data remains secure in a quantum future.
To address these threats, the field of Quantum-Resilient Cryptography is gaining momentum. Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) involves developing cryptographic algorithms that can withstand attacks from both classical and quantum computers. These algorithms are designed to be secure against the capabilities of future quantum processors, ensuring that our data remains protected even in a post-quantum world.
On the brighter side, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is in the process of evaluating and standardizing quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms.
Conclusion:
To summarize, as Uncle Ben said — “With great power comes great responsibilities”. So, with great computing comes more vulnerabilities. The same capabilities that make quantum computers so powerful also pose significant security risks. It is inevitable that we prepare for a future where quantum-resilient cryptography becomes the norm, safeguarding our data and systems against potential threats.
In essence, quantum computing is not just a faster or better version of classical computing — it is a fundamentally different tool designed for a new terrain, offering unparalleled opportunities for those who dare to explore its depths. So, the question remains — are we ready to explore the unseen waters with our new small boat?
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Author — Reyansh Gupta
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