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Writer's pictureDr. Bohdan Tanyhin

Quantum Computing Software Development Kick-Off: When?

The world is on the verge of introducing a quantum computer - a powerful computer that can perform complex tasks simultaneously within seconds. It is given great credit and there are plenty of industry applications of quantum computers that might change everything beyond recognition. Today’s research results and quantum computers are promising. Startups receive huge fundings and advance in their quantum computing capabilities. However, there are questions surrounding this leveraging technology. When are we going to see its kick-off? So, to understand the time frames, let's draw a line on what we know about quantum computers so far!


What is a Quantum Computer vs a Classical Computer?

According to NewScientist, a quantum computer is a machine that uses quantum physics theories to store data and perform various computations. Quantum computers can outperform even today's best supercomputers. They win against classical computers when there is a need to process a large number of possible combinations. These computers carry out the task simultaneously alongside finding prime factors of a very large number or the best route between two places.


Classical computers encode information in binary “bits” that are either 0s or 1s. That’s why we call these computers binary. A quantum computer’s basic memory unit is a qubit also known as a quantum bit. Physical systems that include electrons and photons create qubits. These qubits can be 0s and 1s at the same time and in many combinations.


When qubits remain in many arrangements at once they form a quantum superposition. Also, when they inextricably link together but represent different things simultaneously, qubits form quantum entanglement. If qubits are scattered, this process is called quantum decoherence.


Being so powerful, why aren’t there any quantum computers available for users? Mainly, because they are still new and “experimental”, residing in a lab environment. Quantum computers react sensitively towards heat, electromagnetic fields, and collisions with air molecules, which can cause qubits to lose their quantum properties and give out wrong results. In other words, qubits fail to work appropriately outside their specifically created environment. There is a belief that classical computers can outperform quantum ones in specific tasks. However, the future looks rather like a combination of both computers.


Quantum Computer Market Outlook

Quantum technologies will be on top in a few years as today they are one of the leveraging technologies to come. It is projected that by 2040 the market revenue will amount to $93 billion. What can quantum technologies offer? So far, there are three major quantum use cases. These are:

Quantum Technology Use Cases;  Use Cases   Purpose   Quantum Computing   to solve advanced computational problems   Quantum Communication     for secure, theoretically tamper-proof communication networks   Quantum Sensing   for higher responsiveness, accuracy and performance in comparison with conventional sensors
Quantum Technology Use Cases

Imagine implementing quantum into our daily lives and what will it bring afterward! We could benefit from quick solutions to complex matters within seconds and achieve unheard success. Instead of imagining and talking about theoretical outputs, the world wants to see quantum computers soon and does everything possible to make them a reality. That’s why industries working with large volumes of data make attempts to engage in quantum technologies. About 40% of organizations in the telecommunications, aerospace, automotive, life sciences, energy and chemicals, and banking industries look forward to quantum computer launch onto the market.


Moreover, in 2022, most scientists and technicians from the scientific and technical services industry have researched quantum computing possibilities to enhance their performance and business results. Transportation and mobility industry representatives were surveyed and solving machine learning and data analytics problems were the most desired applications for quantum computing.


Quantum computers would be able to do calculations that we can't currently do and others that would take many months or years. The potential of doing those in days would just transform our design systems and lead to even better engines. - Prof Leigh Lapworth, quantum computing development lead at Rolls-Royce


Benefits of Quantum Computers for Businesses

Industries

There are numerous benefits quantum computers can offer to industries. The detailed applications are offered in the table below.

 Application/industry   Optimization algorithms   Data Science/Mathematical modeling   Quantum chemistry/Materials Science   Consumer   Distribution supply chain   Pricing and promotion optimization   Product portfolio optimization   Freight forecasting   Disruption management   Consumer offer recommender   Quantum LIDAR/improved sensors   Financial services   Financial modeling and recommendations   Credit origination and onboarding   Insurance pricing optimization   Credit, asset, financial product valuation   Investment, product risk analysis   Trading strategies   -   Technology, media and telecommunications   Network optimization   Semiconductor chip layout   Fault analysis in circuits and systems   Semiconductor materials discovery   Materials process optimization
Industry Applications of Quantum Computers

With such a quantity of industry applications, quantum computers bring business operations to a new level of efficiency with effective at-key solutions. For instance, you will obtain:

  • Increased speed

  • Improved efficiency

  • Enhanced security

  • New opportunities

  • Real-time simulation


Quantum Fundings and Adoption

Market giants like Amazon, IBM, Google, and Microsoft have set their focus on quantum computing as it might solve their most complex business problems as well. Also, quantum computing is the perfect technology trend to invest in. In 2019, IBM’s startup presented its first commercial quantum computer. It is the IBM Q System One that sides outside of the laboratory environment.


Among countries, that would like to fund quantum computing research and development, there’s China. The country has invested $15.3 billion, which is eight times bigger than the United States and more than double what the EU planned to invest.


What concerns quantum adoption, China and Netherlands are the leading countries here. More than 40% of the responders in both countries are either starting to work on or plan to work with quantum computers. 65% of International Data Corporation (IDC) survey respondents would like to use quantum computing via the cloud.


Quantum Computing Startups

Today, there’s a large quantum startup ecosystem that is booming. In 2021, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom had the largest number of quantum computing startups.

Quantum Computers, Quantum Computing Startups of 2021, by country
Quantum Computing Startups (by country)

At least 40% of these startups are heavily involved in quantum computer research and experiments. However, not only startups work on innovations in quantum computing. There are also 33% of universities involved. Universities bring a good share of research that gives the best insights about quantum computer technologies born in laboratories. Among the startups, you can find both new and top performers on the market:

 Top Quantum Computing Startups ;  Startup   Funding   Focus   D-Wave   $216 million   To discover the true power of quantum computing and help solve the most challenging problems existing in the world.   Rigetti Computing   $198.5 million   To build scalable, flawless quantum computers and promote high-performance access to current systems via cloud technologies.   The University of Oxford (UK)   $117.59 million   To build the first generation of quantum computers with the top performance.    IonQ   $52 million   To build the best quantum computer hardware and ensure access to quantum systems via the cloud.   Silicon Quantum Computing   $66 million   To build a silicon quantum computer based on research produced at Australia’s Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology.    Cambridge Quantum Computing (CQC)   $48 million   To advance in quantum chemistry, quantum machine learning, quantum natural language processing and quantum cybersecurity.   1QBit   $45 million (CA dollar)   To be the leader in quantum computing all around the world, advance in AI techniques, cloud-based quantum processing, and achieve hardware innovations.   IQM   €29 million   To build scalable hardware for quantum computers and focus on superconducting technology.
Top Quantum Computing Startups

Programming Languages for a Quantum Computer

The programs designed specifically for quantum computers should adhere to mathematics and quantum mechanics principles. With the demand for a scientific approach, quantum computers utilize corresponding programming languages. The latter are categorized by how they evaluate and qualify quantum algorithms. Also, by their specific execution, and examination of the fundamentals of a quantum system.

According to Quantum Insider, the top 5 programming languages to consider today are:

  • Python - Actual Quantum Programming Language

  • Qiskit - Open-source Programming Tool from IBM

  • Ocean™ - Quantum Computing Programming Suite from D-Wave Systems

  • Q# - Quantum Computing Programming Algorithm from Microsoft

  • Cirq - AI Programming Language from Google

These programming languages function at the level of a gate or a building block. If there is a need for a building block and it is not yet implemented, a specification of the exact sequence of interconnections between qubits and quantum gates should be done. This process reminds of a digital circuit with AND, OR, and NOT logical gates. It works perfectly for dozens of logical gates, but in the process of scaling to thousands or millions of gates, it is practically impossible.

Implementing business logic and object abstraction for any application or industry can be easily done using the OOP capabilities of the respective languages. For instance, Python is the easiest and most well-known approach in the case of quantum computing. It can be used as a wrapper around quantum languages that are more low-level. Using conventional relation and non-relational databases should be implemented in Python and also using popular ORM technologies such as SQLAlchemy.


Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)

Being fast in calculations and using quantum physics phenomena, it becomes easy for quantum algorithms to break the security of sensitive data and communications. However, this is considered a fraud and can compromise the positive impact of any quantum breakthrough. Therefore, there are cryptographic algorithms that resist quantum computer attacks. This notion is called post-quantum cryptography.

With quantum computer advancements, there’s been more and more PQC research with a set goal to develop strong cryptographic algorithms that can secure against attacks of classical and quantum computers. These algorithms are powered by mathematical problems that are hard to solve by quantum computers. For example, lattice-based cryptography, code-based cryptography, hash-based cryptography, and multivariate cryptography.


With the ongoing research in quantum computing, it is expected that most of the post-quantum cryptography algorithms are going to be broken soon. This kind of threat to security and communications is too dangerous. Therefore, PQC is being studied by academic researchers, government agencies, and industry stakeholders to ensure that secure and effective cryptographic algorithms are available for use in the post-quantum era.


Our Quantum Computer Experience

Sencury waits for quantum computers to enter the software development market. In addition, we are more than ready to work with quantum computing cloud possibilities that already exist. We can provide solutions for different industries. Sencury’s team are experts both in technical aspects and science. So, we have both the knowledge and the potential to offer real positive change. Among the offered services, our clients can benefit from

  • consulting on the possibilities of quantum computers, where our expert helps to understand what can and cannot be done on a quantum computer

  • preparing functional and non-functional requirements specifications for a concrete quantum solution

  • integrating quantum and non-quantum software layers properly

  • designing a solution architecture using a quantum paradigm

To implement all of these solutions we use the quantum programming languages mentioned above. Become our business partner and discover the power of quantum computing!


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