What We Already Know About Computing Power
Most of us rely daily on digital devices that work with bits – binary units of information. A single bit can be either 0 or 1, and by combining thousands of such bits, we create complex programs that allow us to search for information, communicate, or play games. This method of data processing is exactly what we have been doing for approximately eighty years of modern digital computing development.
In recent decades, however, new ideas have emerged that we call quantum technology. Its fundamental unit is not a bit, but a qubit – a quantum bit. A qubit can be in a superposition of states 0 and 1 simultaneously, opening the door to calculations that classical computers would only manage by a miracle of time.
This is why many experts ask: are quantum computations a true revolution, or just an illusion? And what will it mean for the future of technology?
How Quantum Computers Work
Qubit vs. Bit
If we imagine a classical computer as a series of lights on a street traffic signal, each light is either red (0) or green (1). In the quantum world, it is possible to have a “partial” light that can be simultaneously red and green. This state is called superposition.
Superposition and Interference Effects
Superposition allows qubits to represent multiple combinations at once. For example, with 3 qubits we can simultaneously have 8 different states (2³ = 8). If we work with 1,000 qubits, the number of possible states is astronomical – approximately 2^1000. This means that a quantum computer can represent and explore a huge number of possibilities within one computation, with interference guiding the final result.
Interference then allows these states to be “correctly” combined and creates computational procedures that would require significantly more steps for a classical computer.
Entanglement – Long-Distance Connection
Entanglement is a phenomenon where two or more qubits remain connected to each other, even when they are separated by distance. Measuring one qubit collapses the state of the other entangled qubit, determining its outcome probabilities. This state is used to create correlations between qubits for parallel computations within a quantum algorithm and forms the basis for quantum cryptography and other quantum applications.
Possibilities of Quantum Computers – What Could They Bring?
Cryptography: Shor’s Algorithm
One of the most well-known applications of quantum computers is breaking current encryption methods. Shor’s algorithm can factor large numbers in polynomial time, which could compromise RSA and other commonly used cryptographic systems. This raises the question of future security standards.
Molecular Simulation: The Pharmaceutical Industry
In the field of pharmaceuticals, quantum computers can be used for detailed modeling of molecular interactions. Currently, we rely on classical simulations for drug development, which can take weeks or months. The quantum approach could shorten this process to a much shorter time frame and enable faster discovery of effective medications.
Optimization: Logistics and Finance
Quantum algorithms also focus on optimization tasks that represent logistical problems or portfolio calculations in the real world. For example, finding the most efficient route for a fleet of vehicles in a large city can be solved much faster by a quantum computer than traditional methods.
Limitations and Challenges – Why Is There No Quantum Revolution Yet?
Decoherence Time and Noise
Qubits are extremely sensitive to external influences. Once light flashes or heat is added, a qubit can lose its quantum property – a process called decoherence. Therefore, it is critical to maintain the device at very low temperatures and isolate it from noise.
Errors and Error Correction
Quantum information is prone to errors, which are handled in classical computers using redundant bits. In the quantum world, however, special techniques are needed – quantum coding, which can detect and correct errors without compromising superposition.
Hardware Limitations
So far, NISQ (Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum) devices with roughly 50 to around 1,000 qubits, which are not yet advanced enough for full fault-tolerance. For practical applications, thousands or even millions of reliable qubits would be needed, which is technologically challenging.
How Close Are We to Practical Use?
Current Quantum Computers
Currently, several companies operate quantum devices:
- IBM offers access to its 156-qubit Heron system and 120-qubit Nighthawk system through the cloud.
- Google developed the Sycamore processor with 53 qubits, which demonstrated “quantum supremacy” in a special task.
- Startups such as Rigetti, along with other firms, are currently developing quantum architectures.
These systems are still limited to special computations and are not suitable for common applications that would require reliable performance without errors.
Milestones in Quantum Supremacy
Quantum supremacy – a state where a quantum computer surpasses the best classical algorithm – was claimed by Google in 2019 in the random circuit sampling benchmark, although IBM subsequently disputed this claim, arguing that a classical supercomputer could complete the task in 2.5 days rather than the claimed 10,000 years. Although this represents significant technological progress, the specific practical use of this advantage in industry remains unclear.
Expected Timeframe
Leading companies in quantum computing, such as IBM, expect the first verified cases of quantum advantage by the end of 2026 and fully fault-tolerant quantum computers by 2029. A range of estimates suggests that practical commercial quantum applications will begin to emerge between 2028 and 2033. During this time, gradual increases in qubit numbers and improvements in error correction are expected.
Future and Impact on Industry
Healthcare – Faster Drug Development
Quantum simulations could enable more precise modeling of biological processes, which could bring new therapies for complex diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease or cancer.
Energy and Materials Science
Calculating new battery or catalyst structures could lead to the development of more energy-efficient technologies. Quantum computers can rapidly test thousands of configurations that would take classical systems years.
Finance – Complex Risk Modeling
Banks and investment companies will seek to use quantum algorithms to analyze market trends and optimize portfolios. This could change how risk is managed in the global market.
Education – A New Generation of Scientists
With gradual access to quantum devices, it will be possible to incorporate practical experiments into educational programs. This will lead to rapid expansion of knowledge and skills in the field of quantum physics.
What Does It Mean for Us?
Quantum technology represents potential that could fundamentally change how we solve problems in the world of technology. Nevertheless, it is clear that many challenges remain before us – from physical limits to the need for new algorithmic approaches.
While the scientific community strives to overcome these barriers, the question remains open: will the quantum revolution be real or will it remain just an illusion? And how quickly will we be able to implement new technologies into everyday life?
Let us watch the development together and discover how the world of technology will transform in the coming decades.
Content Transparency and AI Assistance
How this article was created:
This article was generated with artificial intelligence assistance. Specifically, we used the gpt-oss-20b language model, running locally in LM‑Studio. Our editorial team established the topic, research direction, and primary sources; the AI then generated the initial structure and draft text.
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- ✓ The text was editorially reviewed
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- ✓ Fact corrections and enhancement: Our editorial team corrected factual inaccuracies and added subject matter expertise
AI model limitations (important disclaimer):
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Technical details:
- Model: gpt-oss-20b (Apache 2.0 licence)
- Execution: Running locally in LM-Studio
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