Why knowledge of quantum computing is essential across disciplines - The Hindu
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As quantum computing progresses from theoretical exploration to technological reality, its capacity to transform global industries from cybersecurity and financial modelling to logistics, materials science, and artificial intelligence is undeniable. Yet the significance of this transformation extends well beyond the boundaries of Science and Engineering. Universities now face the pressing question of how to cultivate quantum literacy not only among future technologists but also among students in Business, Law, and the Arts that will increasingly operate within a quantum-influenced world.Historically, quantum computing has been taught almost exclusively within Physics and Computer Science departments. While these programmes are essential to train experts who will design and build quantum systems, they represent only one facet of the broader educational challenge. As was the case with the digital revolution of the late 20th century, the implications of quantum technologies will ripple across society, influencing economics, governance, ethics, and culture.Quantum literacy, therefore, must be conceived as a foundational element of general education. What is required is an informed awareness of what quantum computing is, what it can and cannot do, and how it may reshape existing systems of power, knowledge, and communication. Such literacy equips graduates to interpret and respond to technological disruption with insight and ethical awareness rather than passive adaptation. AdvertisementPowered by: 00:09 00:00 Ad will close in:3 seconds orclick to close In Business educationBusiness leaders will soon confront the strategic consequences of quantum-enabled computation. Quantum algorithms capable of solving optimisation and simulation problems far faster than classical computers could redefine competitive advantage across finance, logistics, and manufacturing. A quantum-literate manager will be better prepared to evaluate emerging technologies, assess risks, and guide investment decisions.Business schools can integrate quantum awareness into courses on data analytics, operations management, and strategic innovation. Students might explore case studies on how quantum computing could transform financial forecasting or supply chain design. Moreover, courses in business ethics can address the uneven global access to quantum infrastructure, raising questions about technological inequality and digital sovereignty in the quantum era.In lawIn the legal domain, practical quantum computing presents profound challenges to established norms of cybersecurity and privacy. The ability of quantum algorithms to break classical encryption threatens the foundations of digital security, prompting governments and corporations alike to prepare for a “post-quantum” legal environment.Law schools can embed quantum literacy within courses on technology law, intellectual property, and international regulation. Students should be encouraged to analyse hypothetical cases involving quantum hacking, algorithmic accountability, and the ownership of quantum-generated intellectual property. Such exercises prepare future legal professionals to shape a regulatory framework that balances innovation with public protection and ethical integrity.In the artsThe Arts and Humanities also have a crucial role in mediating society’s understanding of quantum phenomena. Artists, writers, and designers can translate abstract scientific principles into tangible forms that make quantum ideas accessible and meaningful. Meanwhile, philosophers and cultural theorists may reconsider concepts of causality, randomness, and perception in light of quantum theory’s challenge to classical determinism.Courses in Media Studies, Digital Arts, and Philosophy can thus explore the intersection of quantum science and human creativity. By engaging with these ideas, the arts contribute to a richer cultural discourse about uncertainty, knowledge, and the boundaries of human understanding.Embedding quantum literacy across disciplines requires a structural reimagining of foundational university courses. Logic, ethics, and systems thinking must evolve to reflect a world increasingly defined by probabilistic reasoning and computational complexity. Courses on critical thinking could introduce quantum logic as a new framework for understanding uncertainty, while ethics classes might explore the societal implications of quantum technologies: who gains, who is excluded, and how equity can be maintained in an era of accelerating innovation.Quantum computing represents not merely a technological breakthrough but a paradigm shift in how humanity processes information and approaches complexity. Preparing students for this shift demands that higher education move beyond the confines of specialised instruction and embrace a holistic model of quantum literacy. Only then can society we that the immense power of quantum computation is guided by human insight, responsibility, and shared understanding.The writer is the Deputy Director of the School of Engineering and Technology ,CMR University, Bengaluru.