Microsoft IBM and Fujitsu get Aggressive to make Quantum Computing a Reality

Computer technology is on the cusp of a new revolution. Despite the cutting edge contemporary computing technology, the scope of using atomic and subatomic or the quantum mechanical phenomena to perform operations on data has ushered in a new era in this domain.

Going by the huge investments into development of this new technology, Quantum computers may be a widespread reality soon. What makes quantum computers special is their ability to provide computing power that can solve problems that are currently impossible to perform by classical computer technology.

Quantum computers are considered revolutionary given the fact that they can manipulate bits of information according to the quantum rules that govern the behaviour of matter on the smallest scales. Countries like the UK are already looking to become a major hub for quantum computing.

According a recent report, the country will soon have a mega research centre focused on the newer computing technology. Quantum Technologies Innovation Centre (QTIC) is set to open in 2021 and will have more than 200 researchers on-board who will be developing new prototypes and carrying out research into quantum computing.

A number of companies, including IBM, Google, Fujitsu, and Microsoft Corp are pushing to create Quantum computing machines that businesses can use.

In a recent statement, the American multinational technology company-IBM said that it “aims to demonstrate capabilities beyond today’s classical systems” with quantum systems.

Dario Gil, VP, AI and IBM Q at IBM Research recently said that IBM scientists have successfully built and measured a processor prototype with 50 quantum bits, known as qubits. According to Gil it’s the first time any company has built a quantum computer at this scale. He also announced building a computer that uses 20 qubits.

This announcement puts IBM in direct competition with Google, which had earlier stated that it plans to show a similarly sized machine capable of achieving this milestone by the end of the year. IBM’s big announcement comes shortly after Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella disclosed the plans to explore the field of quantum computing. He said that the newer form of computing will help lead to big shifts in the future. Quantum computing will help build superior mixed reality and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

"Quantum computing would be a viable alternative", says Dr Joseph Reger, CTO, Fujitsu Fellow, Fujitsu. Why? Because quantum computing lets you computing various possibilities at the same time, not sequentially.

Speaking about the disruptive nature of Quantum Computing, Reger adds: “We can now do molecular design, materials design, drug design, disaster management, radiation therapy, traffic optimization, financial portfolios, IoT applications, optimisation problems, and artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning. There is also the quantum communication part too and we will be able to build completely safe communication channels that cannot be copied and it will usher in an era of safer networks and a quantum-secure Internet.”