What enterprises think about quantum computing - Network World
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The value of quantum computing is uncertain, but it clearly has potential and is worth watching. Credit: Shutterstock Suppose you’re a CIO or senior application planner, and you need to understand whether you should dig into quantum computing as a future option. Enterprises themselves are divided on the issue, because frankly this whole quantum thing is spooky, and that’s according to no less than Albert Einstein. What Einstein didn’t like is that quantum physics is so totally different from what we see as real-world behavior (called “Newtonian physics” after the guy who supposedly got an apple dropped on his head) that we don’t even have a theory that harmonizes the two. One of the spooky things is the concept of “entanglement,” which seems to let you communicate faster than light. Another is “superposition,” which means that atomic particles can be in different states at the same time—a quantum bit (qubit) can be 1, 0, or both. The dualism lets a quantum computer test multiple inferences at the same time, making some algorithms that simply could not be run in a practical timeframe easy. Encryption and decryption is the classic example. There are quantum challenges beyond the spooky. Quantum computers’ qubits are incredibly fragile, so even setting or reading qubits has to be incredibly precise or it messes everything up. Environmental conditions can also mess things up, because qubits can get entangled with the things around them. Qubits can even leak away in the middle of something. So, here we have a technology that most people don’t understand and that is incredibly finicky, and we’re supposed to bet the business on it? How many enterprises would? None, according to the 352 who commented on the topic. How many think their companies will use it eventually? All of them—but they don’t know where or when, as an old song goes. And by the way, quantum theory is older than that song, and we still don’t have a handle on it. Of the 352 comments I received, 41 came from experts who were comfortable with the theory, and this group had some useful advice for all those waiting for the right moment to jump on the quantum bandwagon. First and foremost, this isn’t the technology for general business applications. The quantum geeks emphasize that good quantum applications are where you have some incredibly complex algorithm, some math problem, that is simply not solvable using digital computers. Some suggest that it’s best to think of a quantum computer as a kind of analog computer. Those can be used for things like image processing, healthcare, simulation, and even military missions because there’s a need for speed more than for precision. You shouldn’t expect quantum computing to ever replace traditional computers. Augment, yes, but not replace. Even where quantum computing can augment digital, you’ll have to watch ROI according to the second point. The cost of quantum computing is currently prohibitive for most applications, even the stuff it’s good for, so you need find applications that have massive benefits, or think of some “quantum as a service” for solving an occasional complex problem. A few experts think quantum computing will never be a general business tool. But a slight majority think that very specialized, limited, quantum computers will be practical as new quantum chips became available—which is likely in that five-year timeline. And speaking of chips, our third point is that the future of quantum computing depends on improvement of the chips. There are already some heady advances claimed by chip startups, but the hype is going to outrun the reality for some time. Eventually, quantum computing will be, like digital computing, more software-driven, but right now it’s the hardware, meaning the chips, that hold it back. If you want to watch a space for quantum progress, watch chips. Finally, quantum computing and AI may be the winning combination. Besides creating what might be the mother of all hype waves, to the delight of hedge funds, there’s actually a reason to think about this one. Quantum applications in the real world are already being explored, and analog computers have proven to have value in AI, so if quantum computers have similarities they might fit in too. Image analysis, and in particular video analysis, is an application that many think could combine the two technologies effectively. Anyway, intelligence in general arguably needs speed more than precision; look at humans if you need proof of that. So, is quantum computing a wonderful emerging business tool, or is it just a fable? Remember “superposition” is one of its foundations, so it’s fitting to say that right now, it’s both. Is it going to get real, at some point? There’s another quantum physics principle that applies here, the “Uncertainty Principle.” I’m uncertain about the value of quantum computing, and so is everyone else today, really. But I do know it’s got potential, and that it’s worth watching. High-Performance ComputingData CenterNetworking SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe