.jpeg)
The term “Quantum Computing” likely conjures up images of highly advanced technology that you might see in a sci-fi movie. While it’s true that Quantum Computing will help our collective advancement into new technologies and allow us to accomplish even more as a species, it’s not quite as daunting as it sounds. Yes, the underlying technology is complex — but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be understood, to one degree or another, by the average non technical person in tech, like myself!
On that note, it’s extremely important for tech entrepreneurs to always stay one step ahead, especially when it comes to the tools of the future. Quantum Computing promises to open up a whole new world of opportunities, so if you want your business to succeed and stay relevant in a technological environment that is constantly evolving, you’ll need to have some idea of what to expect. In today’s post, I’d like to help demystify Quantum Computing for tech entrepreneurs and explain why the computing tech of tomorrow could be the next big step for humanity.
What is Quantum Computing?
As it currently stands, Quantum Computing (QC) is more of a theoretical practice than an actual technology that could be used by entrepreneurs or consumers. Even though theories surrounding Quantum Computing have been circulating since the 1980s, many researchers have dismissed QC as more of a pipedream than anything else. Nonetheless, as classical computing technology and our collective research methods continue to advance, Quantum Computing is inching closer and closer to becoming a reality.
So, what is Quantum Computing? Looking at the big picture, it is the next theoretical step in computing. Rather than computers solving problems using traditional programming languages, Quantum Computers could manipulate quantum states (states in nature at the atomic or subatomic level) to solve problems that reach far beyond the capabilities of today’s devices.
In layman’s terms, we could go from solving algorithms or finding solutions to problems by manipulating 1’s and 0’s to solving far more advanced and complex problems by manipulating the fundamental elements of nature. In short, Quantum Computing offers a way to simulate and exploit the laws of physics on a computer — something that has only been done in the world of science fiction.
In theory, this would not only increase computational speeds astronomically, but it would also fundamentally change the way we (as humans) go about solving problems. One issue with understanding the potential of Quantum Computing is that the possibilities are so vast, it’s difficult to really wrap our minds around them. For example, Quantum Computers will allow researchers to create artificial systems that do not exist under the normal conditions of nature, leading to new discoveries in the realm of physics, metaphysics, and other areas of study related to the basic nature of existence.
What Will Quantum Computing Mean For Tech Entrepreneurs?
It’s easy to see how Quantum Computing can help lead to new scientific discoveries, but until we see the introduction of personal quantum computers, the potential for tech entrepreneurs is much harder to predict. That said, the reality is that Quantum Computing will completely reinvent the way we approach everything in the tech world — from data collection to software development — and everything in between. However, on a more practical level, there are a few things that we can almost certainly expect to see as Quantum Computing technology develops.
Lightning-Fast Speed
Almost every new discovery in the tech industry promises faster speeds. Whether it’s the faster download speeds of 5G or the improved processing speeds of new microchips, the tech world loves to make every new invention move faster than its predecessor. However, Quantum Computing could put all of these improvements to shame. Imagine how fast you could accomplish any task when your computer can literally use processors built on the principles of quantum mechanics?
Big Data Organization
We’ve gotten really good at collecting data, but once we have it, we don’t always know what to do with it. For example, we can now collect insane amounts of information, but finding specific pieces of data can present a challenge. With Quantum Computing, we could take enormous datasets and find a tiny piece of the puzzle in a matter of milliseconds. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. With enhanced data organization capabilities, we can come to understand trends, consumer psychology, and the success of different operations with previously unimaginable proficiency.
Greater Storage Capabilities
If we can replicate some of the most basic mechanisms of our physical world in a computer, it stands to reason that we could develop software and hardware that could rival the storage capacity of the human brain. As it currently stands, we’ve already developed computers that can “think” more than 10 million times faster than a human brain. However, when it comes to storage, classic computers and storage devices pale in comparison to the gray matter between our ears. Quantum Computing could help us understand the mechanisms that allow the human brain to keep track of so much information and, theoretically, replicate it in everyday computers.
The Bottom Line
When it comes down to it, we still have years to go before Quantum Computing will be a reality for entrepreneurs. However, Google AI has already performed quantum computations, and we are moving closer and closer to the creation of a functional quantum computer every day. So, there’s no time like the present for tech entrepreneurs to prepare for the inevitable and understand exactly what Quantum Computing has in store for us.
