But first, what is quantum computing?
Quantum computing is a new operating technology which can harness the quantum mechanic laws to solve complex problems substantially faster than the classical computer. The main difference between a quantum computer and a classic computer is that a quantum computer uses qubits to run multidimensional quantum algorithms instead of bits to run its operations. As a bit can only hold either the value 0 or 1, a qubit can be in a superposition which allows them to be in any proportion of both states at once. With 4 bits for example, there are 24 combinations out of which you can only use one. With 4 qubits in superposition however, can be in all the combinations at once. 20 qubits in superposition can already store over a million values at once. At the moment though, it is still under debate whether quantum computing is just a very specialized tool or a revolution for mankind.
Quantum computing has many application and in recent years many companies are attempting to implement it in their digital strategy. ExxonMobil for example partners up with IBM and makes use of quantum computing to find optimal fleet routes for their ships accounting for many uncertainties like weather and demand (ExxonMobil Strives to Solve Complex Energy Challenges, n.d.). While Mercedes-Benz is partnering with IBM and Google to explore quantum computing and its ability to accurately simulate batteries at a molecular level of detail which involves huge complexity in running algorithms. With these simulations, Mercedes-Benz can explore new materials to create more efficient batteries (Mercedes-Benz Group, n.d.).
Many companies in this branch aim to have the best quantum computer with the most superconducting qubits to reach quantum supremacy. Quantum supremacy is reached when a quantum device is able to solve a problem that no classical computer is able to solve in a feasible time. Google have claimed to reach quantum supremacy back in 2019 by performing a series of operations in 200 seconds which would take a supercomputer about 10,000 years (Waters & Murgia, 2019). In 2020 a group based in the University of Science and Technology of China claimed to reach quantum supremacy by generating samples which took their quantum computer about 20 seconds while taking an ordinary supercomputer 600 million years of computing (Zhong et al., 2020).
References
ExxonMobil strives to solve complex energy challenges. (n.d.). IBM. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.ibm.com/case-studies/exxonmobil/
Mercedes-Benz Group. (n.d.). The Art of Quantum Simulation. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://group.mercedes-benz.com/innovation/partnerships/collaboration/quantum-computing-google.html
Waters, R., & Murgia, M. (2019, September 20). Google claims to have reached quantum supremacy. Financial Times. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.ft.com/content/b9bb4e54-dbc1-11e9-8f9b-77216ebe1f17
Zhong, H., Wang, H., Deng, Y., Peng, L., Luo, Y., Qin, J., & Wu, D. (2020, December). Quantum computational advantage using photons. Science, 370(6523), 1460–1463. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abe8770
