Growing Interest in Quantum Computing : Daily Current Affairs

Date: 05/09/2022

Relevance: GS-3: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life;

Key phrases: Quantum computing, National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications, Classical computing, Artificial Intelligence, Complexity, Technological availability, World Economic Forum (WEF), Industrial revolution 4.0, Cyber Security, Quantum-Enabled Science and Technology (QuEST), ‘Quantum Computer Simulator (QSim) toolkit’.

Context:

‘Quantum computers could open the door to new scientific discoveries, life-saving drugs, and improvements in supply chains, logistics and the modelling of financial data’.

What is a Quantum Computing?

Quantum computing is a rapidly-emerging technology that harnesses the laws of quantum mechanics to solve problems too complex for classical computers.
Quantum computing is an area of computer science that uses the principles of quantum theory. Quantum theory explains the behavior of energy and material on the atomic and subatomic levels.
Quantum computing uses subatomic particles, such as electrons or photons. Quantum bits, or qubits, allow these particles to exist in more than one state (i.e., 1 and 0) at the same time.
Theoretically, linked qubits can "exploit the interference between their wave-like quantum states to perform calculations that might otherwise take millions of years."

Differences between Quantum and Classical computing:

	Classical Computing	Quantum Computing
1.	Classical computing is based on the classical phenomenon of electrical circuits being in a single state at a given time, either on or off.	Quantum computing is based on the phenomenon of Quantum Mechanics, such as superposition and entanglement, the phenomenon where it is possible to be in more than one state at a time.
2.	Information storage and manipulation is based on “bit”, which is based on voltage or charge; low is 0 and high is 1.	Information storage and manipulation is based on Quantum Bit or “qubits”, which is based on the spin of electron or polarization of a single photon.
3.	The circuit behavior is governed by classical physics.	The circuit behavior is governed by quantum physics or quantum mechanics.
4.	Classical computing use binary codes i.e. bits 0 or 1 at represent information.	Quantum computing use qubits i.e. 0, 1 and superposition state of both 0 and 1 to represent information.
5.	Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) transistors are the basic building blocks of Classical computers.	Superconducting Quantum Interference Device or SQUID or Quantum Transistors are the basic building blocks of quantum computers.
6.	In conventional computers, data processing is done in Central Processing Unit or CPU, which consists of Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU), processor registers and a control unit.	In quantum computers, data processing is done in Quantum Processing Unit or QPU, which consists of a number of interconnected qubits.

Application:

Quantum computing is an inherently multidisciplinary field, spanning a diverse range of disciplines from physics and mathematics to engineering and computer science. Like.
- Artificial Intelligence:
  - AI already has many applications in various fields. These include healthcare, e-commerce, education, finance, security, and media, among others.
  - Quantum computing can be a significant help in AI efforts. AI development requires the processing of vast amounts of data for machine learning. Quantum computing helps the AI recognize patterns and make decisions better.
  - Although classic computing is doing its job, AI would benefit a lot from quantum tech. Faster processing can lead to better AI performance. Eventually, this can result in more human-like responses from AI.
- Pharmaceutical:
  - Quantum computing could reduce the time frame of the discovery of new molecules and related processes to a few days.
  - From drug discovery to vaccine trials, several efforts can be enhanced, improved and fast tracked using quantum computing.
- Financial:
  - Financial procedures often rely on a lot of complex mathematical processes. Quantum computing can help make more accurate simulations and predictions of market activity.
  - Credit risk analysis, which includes several more parameters, can become far more accurate with quantum computing.
  - Banking and financial giants recognize the possible applications of this emerging tech. JP Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo have already invested in quantum computing, powering the future of finance.
- Cyber Security and secure communications:
  - Various techniques to combat cyber security threats can be developed using some of the quantum machine learning approaches and reducing time to crack codes.
- Weather forecasting and Disaster Management:
  - Tsunamis, drought, earthquakes and floods may become more predictable with quantum applications.
  - The collection of data regarding climate change can be streamlined in a better way through quantum technology.

Challenges:

Complexity:
- The first issue is the complexity of quantum computing processes. Quantum computers are difficult to engineer and program.
- Thus it becomes challenging to find skilled individuals to operate and maintain the necessary machinery.
Stability:
- Qubits are stable only at cryogenic temperatures, and only governments and large corporations can hope to keep a quantum computer on the premises.
Insecure communications:
- The dark side of quantum computing is the disruptive effect that it will have on cryptographic encryption, which secures communications and computers.
Privacy:
- Encryption depends on very large prime numbers, which serve as the seeds from which cryptographic keys are generated and exchanged by the parties to a conversation. If the odds of encryption and decryption are evened by exponentially powerful computers, privacy online would be dead.

India’s race to quantum computing:

India formally joined the race to quantum computing by establishing the National Mission for Quantum Technology and Applications in 2020.
The Department of Science and Technology launched the Quantum-Enabled Science and Technology (QuEST) initiative to invest INR 80 crores to lay out infrastructure and to facilitate research in the field.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the ‘Quantum Computer Simulator (QSim) toolkit’ to provide the first quantum development environment to academicians, industry professionals, students, and the scientific community in India.
As per IBM quantum roadmap announced in 2021, IBM debuted its first 127-qubit processor. In 2022, IBM extended its quantum roadmap even further to clearly lay out how we will blaze a path towards frictionless quantum computing.

World Economic Forum (WEF) on Quantum Computing Governance:

World Economic Forum (WEF) suggested some principles which are critical while considering the multi-industry applications of quantum computing:
- They include privacy, cyber security, open innovation and sustainability.
- A set of core values have also been identified to prevent human biases and ensure responsible behaviour.
- Mechanisms in place to ensure human accountability, both in its design and in its uses and outcomes.

Way ahead:

While quantum computing has the enormous potential to revolutionize how real-world issues are tackled, there are still numerous difficult engineering challenges to overcome first, leaving companies without a timeframe for when it will be used in the workplace.
India is poised to play a pivotal role in the quantum technology revolution globally. IBM is committed to helping India advance its quantum agenda by developing the talent and skills landscape and building an ecosystem with industry, business, academia and government. Government is counting on the vibrant Indian talent and expertise to help solve some of the most pressing challenges.

Source: The Hindu

Mains Question:

Q. How will quantum computing provide an edge over classical computing in terms of solving the problems arising in today’s world? Discuss.