Quantum Supremacy

- Overview

In quantum computing, the goal of quantum supremacy (quantum priority, or quantum superiority) is to demonstrate that a programmable quantum device can solve a problem (regardless of the usefulness of the problem) that a classical computer cannot solve in any feasible amount of time. 

Conceptually, quantum supremacy involves both the engineering task of building a powerful quantum computer and the computational complexity theory task of finding a problem that can be solved by this quantum computer and that has a hyperpolynomial speedup over the best known or possible classical algorithms.  

A remarkable property of quantum supremacy is that it can be achieved by near-term quantum computers, since it does not require quantum computers to perform any useful tasks or use high-quality quantum error correction, both of which are long-term goals. 

Researchers therefore view quantum supremacy as a major scientific goal with relatively little direct impact on the future commercial viability of quantum computing. 

Due to unpredictable possible improvements in classical computers and algorithms, quantum supremacy may be temporary or unstable, making possible achievements subject to intense scrutiny.

- The Importance of Quantum Supremacy

The first quantum algorithms were solved in the 1990s. While the problem itself is useless, the process provides the computer scientists who designed the problem with knowledge and insights that they can use to develop more meaningful algorithms — like Shor’s algorithm — that could have huge practical consequences. 

Computer scientists hope that quantum supremacy will repeat the process and push inventors to create a quantum computer that can outperform a classical computer—even if it only solves a simple, useless problem—because the work may be beneficial and The key to useless questions. The supreme quantum computer. 

Some also believe that Moore's Law is coming to an end. This will inhibit artificial intelligence research, because intelligent applications such as fully autonomous vehicles require a lot of processing power. Once quantum supremacy is achieved, quantum computing should be able to solve this problem and revolutionize machine learning (ML). 

Quantum supremacy will greatly impact the field of theoretical computer science. For decades, scientists in the field have believed in the extended Church-Turing theory, which states that a classical computer can efficiently do any problem that any other type of computer can do. Quantum supremacy violates this assumption. Scientists will be forced to consider a whole new world of computer science.

- The Future of Quantum Supremacy

The ultimate goal of quantum computing is to create a fully functional, general-purpose, fault-tolerant gate computer. Before building this machine, computer scientists need to develop: 

• Fine error correction, does not require a lot of hardware.
• Advanced algorithms that can support uniquely complex problems.
• Enhance the noise.
• Qubits have lower noise sensitivity, longer coherence times, and higher reliability.
• Quantum processors with thousands of qubits.

The United States and China are the countries most concerned about quantum project investment, in addition to organizations and companies such as Google, Microsoft, IBM, Lockheed Martin and Alibaba.

- Advantages and Disadvantages of Quantum Supremacy

Once quantum supremacy is demonstrated, quantum computers will offer remarkable utility for processing large datasets, such as those used in cancer research, drug design, genetically engineered particle physics, and weather forecasting. Because of superposition, programmers working on coding tools for quantum computers cannot see the path data takes from input to output, complicating the debugging process considerably. 

While quantum supremacy is highly beneficial to various industries, this breakthrough could also lead to rogue states or actors using quantum computers for destructive purposes, such as breaking current encryption models.

 - Applications of Quantum Supremacy

Some believe that a quantum computer that achieves quantum supremacy may be the most disruptive new technology since Intel's 4004 microprocessor was invented in 1971. Certain professions and fields of business will be significantly affected by quantum supremacy. 

Examples include: 

• The ability to perform more complex simulations at scale will provide companies with greater efficiencies, deeper insights, and better predictions, leading to improved optimization processes.
• Enhanced simulations for modeling complex quantum systems such as biomolecules will be possible.
• Combining quantum computing with artificial intelligence could make artificial intelligence even smarter than it is today.
• New custom drugs, chemicals and materials can be designed, modeled and modified to help develop new pharmaceutical, commercial or commercial products.
• The ability to factor extremely large numbers could break current long-standing forms of encryption.

While most of these applications appear to offer benefits, quantum supremacy could also undermine the mathematics that underlies most current data encryption. Once quantum supremacy is achieved, computer scientists will have to completely re-evaluate computer security and how to protect information and data. This will be extremely difficult due to the high speeds and large amounts of data that quantum computers will be processing.

- Challenges and Limitations

While quantum supremacy offers many exciting opportunities and possibilities, it also faces many challenges and constraints. Quantum computers are still in their infancy and require significant resources and expertise to operate and maintain. They are prone to errors and noise, and require sophisticated error correction and tolerance methods. 

They also have limited scalability and connectivity, and require efficient information encoding and decoding methods. Furthermore, quantum computers are not a universal solution to all problems, and certain tasks may still be better suited to classical computers or hybrid systems. 

Therefore, quantum supremacy is not an end goal, but a milestone that opens new avenues for research and development.

<More to come ..>