Quantum computing can be used for different purposes, as it has the ability to solve any complex problem within no time. As it is an emerging technology, various top IT companies are still trying to find applications where quantum computing can be used.
Quantum computers have a lot of applications in the real world, and a few important ones are explained below.
Cryptography
Quantum computing can be used efficiently to generate private keys for asymmetric key exchange algorithms, such as the RSA algorithm. The main function of using quantum computing in generating the private keys is its uncertainty, as during the exchange of keys between sender and receiver if there is any disruption, such as hacking, the attacker will not get the full information of keys due to quantum uncertainty.
In order to break the key, the attacker will need to break the laws of quantum physics, which seem to be quite difficult as compared to classical key exchange techniques. Different banks and companies around the world, such as JP Morgan Chase (JPMC), CaixaBank, IBM, Google, and Barclays, are already testing the quantum unbreakable encryption technique.
Quantum computing is also considered as a threat to blockchain technology, as blockchain is based on complex mathematical problems, which is quite impossible for a normal computer, with high processing, to solve. Quantum computers can solve complex mathematical problems, which is why it is considered as a threat to blockchain technology. Google is working on quantum supremacy, which has the ability to solve the mathematical problems that were impossible to solve with traditional computers.
Health care and medicine
Health care and medicine can also take a great advantage from quantum computing. One of the applications of quantum computing in the health care sector is providing easiness in design and analysis of molecules that will be used in drug development, as it is considered difficult currently. The analysis of molecules for drug development is tough, as describing and calculating the quantum properties of all atoms in a molecule is computationally a hard job, even for supercomputers.
The quantum computers will perform better in the analysis of molecules for drug development, as it performs operations using the same quantum properties as the molecule it is trying to simulate. The large scale quantum simulations use for drug development will help in creating the treatment for different diseases in future, such as Alzheimer. Some of the drug making companies involved in quantum computing includes ChemAlive, Cloud Pharmaceuticals, GTN, Entropica Labs, Biogen, Pharmacelera, and Silicon Therapeutics.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is also to benefit from quantum computing. As in AI, the response system usually depends on the experience of the system, the reactions get more accurate through many feedbacks. The response of the AI system is based on the calculation of probabilities for various possible actions. This type of response from the system shows that AI is also one of the ideal fields for quantum computing.
Some of the recent developments related to quantum computing in AI include the development of autopilot testing software by Lockheed Martin Corporation using its D-Wave quantum computer. Google is also trying to create software for the distinction between cars and landmarks using quantum computers.