• Question: Do you believe that quantum and even super computing can, in the future be available for all fields. And if so how can we create functions and learn about how to use its maximum performance?

    Asked by arms519bugs on 24 Mar 2025.
    • Photo: John Easton

      John Easton answered on 24 Mar 2025:

      Basically no. Quantum computers are only good (by which I mean they show a performance benefit) for a fairly small class of problems. Those will show benefit, but quantum is no better than other traditional solutions for spaces outside of that small set of problems. There are quantum computers available on the cloud today that you can try things out with. See: https://quantum.ibm.com/ for example where you can sign up for a free id and run some experiments. That is the best way to learn how to use one…

    • Photo: Neil Barnby

      Neil Barnby answered on 25 Mar 2025:

      My understanding is that Quantum computing is still in the early stages, but currently only suitable for certain tasks. There are some machines avaiable in the cloud for experimentation but until it is developed for other fields, it is unlikely to be used in fields outside its current scope.

Comments

  • Photo: chrisheunen

    chrisheunen commented on :

    I work on quantum computers, and they’re a bit like normal computers were in the 1960s; quite primitive. They can do anything a normal computer can do, and for some specific problems they’re much faster. So in the very long run, they could be available for all fields. But as it stands, they are very expensive and difficult to make, so they’re only worth it for those specific cases where they’re better. Normal computers have had over 50 years of a head start, so they’re now easy to build and you can buy them everywhere! It’s a bit like petrol cars and electric cars; electric cars used to be much more expensive and much more limited than petrol cars, but over time that will change.