| | AUGUST 202019CIOReviewmodeling and simulations, machine learning, and optimization provide key insights into how much faster quantum computing could solve real-world problems.A broad, global effort has sought to demonstrate the concepts of quantum computing. The fundamental controllability needed to build quantum computers using individual trapped atoms, photons, and electrons have been established, but these demonstrations have also highlighted the challenges in scaling up qubits in quantity and quality. Today, quantum computers are at a very early stage of development compared to modern computing systems. The few early devices available for research-grade testing are small, expensive, imperfect and restricted to leading research laboratories. BUILDING QUANTUM ADVANTAGEThe promises offered by quantum computing are twofold. First, quantum algorithms are proven to have theoretical speedups over best-in-class counterparts for conventional computing. This implies a corresponding payoff in time-to-solution that could be a big win for scalable applications, e.g., database mining and machine learning. The second payoff is the lower energy consumption expected from using both fewer operations and lower energy technologies. The individual atoms and electrons that comprise a quantum computer require considerably less energy to perform calculations, and there is a potential energy dividend of several orders of magnitude.Research groups across industry, academia, and government are now working towards the next major milestone: demonstrating a quantum advantage over conventional computing. Quantum advantage would symbolize when the technology exceeds current capabilities, and it would give a clear indication that work is progressing in the right direction. For example, modeling and simulation of quantum physics is limited by the memory and energy consumption available in modern high-performance computing systems. But a quantum computer offers a natural platform to push pass this physical limitation. Although this achievement will require larger and more polished devices than currently available, clear examples of quantum advantage are within reach of near-term devices.THE FUTURE IS QUANTUMThe effort to develop quantum computing, scale up the hardware and demonstrate a quantum advantage is accelerating. Software and applications for quantum computing are advancing quickly, spearheaded by open-source initiatives and growing user communities. Performance benchmarks for quantum computers are beginning to emerge that enable comparisons across generations of devices as well as with conventional approaches. Driven by the need for more timely and efficient solutions, we anticipate the long development period for the technology will push our computational capabilities to new heights. APPLICATION: FOOD SECURITYArtificial synthesis of ammonia for fertilizer is a time and energy intensive chemical process, and in sharp contrast to the natural process enabled by the enzyme nitrogenase. Quantum computing offers a natural platform for modeling and simulation with unprecedented detail, which could lead to a new understanding of how to replicate nature and stabilize global food production.Travis S. Humble
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