As traditional computing pushes the limits of what can be achieved through known manufacturing processes, quantum computing is still in its infancy. And still, quantum computing fills geeks with wonder, business people with uncertainty and encryption experts with fear. According to some estimates, the quantum computing industry will be worth about $5 billion by 2020, which means it will go from strength to strength over the next few years. So, how can businesses take advantage of this progress? And which areas does quantum computing excel in? Here are 5 areas to explore:
12. Cryptography
The most common area people associate quantum computing with is advanced cryptography. The ordinary computers we use today make it infeasible to break encryption that uses very large prime number factorization (300+ integers). With quantum computers, this decryption could become trivial, leading to much stronger protection of our digital lives and assets. Of course, we’ll also be able to break traditional encryption much faster.
2. Aviation
Quantum technology could enable much more complex computer modelling like aeronautical scenarios. Aiding in the routing and scheduling of aircrafts has enormous commercial benefits for time and costs. Large companies like Airbus and Lockheed Martin are actively researching and investing in the space to take advantage of the computing power and the optimization potential of the technology.
3. Data Analytics
Quantum mechanics and quantum computing can help solve problems on a huge scale. A field of study called topological analysis where geometric shapes behave in specific ways, describes computations that are simply impossible with today’s conventional computers due to the data set used. With quantum computing this can be boiled down to relatively simple calculations. NASA is looking at using quantum computing for analyzing the enormous amount of data they collect about the universe, as well as research better and safer methods of space travel.
4. Forecasting
Predicting and forecasting various scenarios rely on large and complex data sets. Traditional simulation of, for example, the weather is limited in the inputs that can be handled with classic computing. If you add too many factors, then the simulation takes longer than for the actual weather to evolve. Nearly 30% of the US GDP is affected by weather in some way or another, and being able to more accurately forecast it would have great economic benefits.
5. Pattern Matching
Finding patterns in data and using these to predict future patterns is highly valuable. Volkswagen is currently looking into how they can use quantum computing to inform drivers of traffic conditions 45 minutes in advance. Matching traffic patterns and predicting the behavior of a system as complex as modern day traffic is so far not possible for today’s computers, but this is going to change with quantum computers.