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What Will Quantum Computing Really Bring to AI in Healthcare?

The marriage between quantum computing and AI promises to be the next big thing in IT, probably no more so than how it will impact and advance AI applications for healthcare.

AI is already being used in many areas of healthcare, from analyzing medical images to developing personalized treatment plans for patients. While quantum computing is still in its infancy, it has the potential to solve complex problems much faster than classical computers. When these two technologies are combined as is beginning to be realized, the possibilities are endless, particularly in healthcare delivery and drug research.

The revolution is already beginning. For example, Moderna and IBM recently announced a partnership that will explore various use cases of quantum computing within the life sciences, particularly mRNA medicine design.

As part of the collaboration, both organizations will employ MoLFormer, an AI-based foundation model, to predict the properties of molecules and gain insights into the characteristics of potential mRNA medicines.

What Makes Quantum Computers So Special?

Quantum computing operates by substituting classical computing’s bits with quantum bits, commonly referred to as “qubits.” Unlike bits, which can only store binary values of 0 or 1, qubits can exist as a superposition of both 0 and 1 simultaneously. This is made possible through a phenomenon in quantum mechanics called entanglement. This gives them computing power vastly superior to even today’s fastest supercomputers. Quantum computers’ ability to process vast amounts of data very quickly and very intuitively makes them particularly useful for advanced AI algorithms, particularly the kinds that are used in healthcare diagnostics and medical research where analyzing vast amounts of data for often minute details are required.

Let’s drill down on what quantum computing and AI when combined, can mean for healthcare delivery and for drug discovery.

Healthcare Delivery

Quantum computing can be used to process large amounts of data from medical records, electronic health records, and other sources to provide personalized healthcare services. The use of AI and quantum computing in healthcare delivery can also help in developing predictive models that can forecast the likelihood of certain diseases or health conditions. This information can help healthcare providers take proactive measures to prevent or treat diseases early, thus reducing the overall cost of healthcare and improving patient outcomes.

Additionally, AI can be used to develop chatbots that can provide immediate responses to patients’ queries and concerns. Chatbots can help reduce the workload on healthcare providers and provide quick and efficient responses to patients’ questions, thus improving patient satisfaction and overall healthcare experience.

Drug Research

As evidenced by the announced partnership between Moderna and IBM, drug discovery and pharmaceutical research is where quantum computing and AI is posed to make their most significant leap.

The development of new drugs is a complex and time-consuming process that can take years or even decades to complete. However, the combination of AI and quantum computing can significantly speed up this process. Quantum computing can be used to simulate chemical reactions and predict the properties of new molecules, making it possible to identify promising drug candidates faster.

AI can then be used to analyze the vast amounts of data generated by quantum computing simulations to identify the most promising drug candidates for further testing. This approach can significantly reduce the time and cost of drug development and bring new treatments to market that much faster.

The combination of AI and quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery and drug research. It can help healthcare providers deliver personalized healthcare services, develop predictive models, and improve patient outcomes. It can also significantly speed up the drug development process and bring new treatments to the market much faster. While there are challenges that need to be addressed, the possibilities are endless, and the future of healthcare looks promising with the integration of these two technologies.

How Big Rio Can Help

Quantum computing is still very much an emerging technology with large-scale and practical applications still a way off. However, the technology is steadily graduating from the lab and heading for the marketplace. In 2019, Google announced that it had achieved “quantum supremacy.”

Much like the partnership between Moderna and IBM BigRio has partnered with our sister company, Citadel Discovery, to use AI to advance drug discovery. Citadel was launched in 2021 with the purpose of giving a kind of “open access” to the data and technology that will drive the future of pharma research streamlining and lowering the costs of drug discovery and biological research.

The costs of drug discovery continue to rise, with current estimates exceeding $2 Billion. Not to mention that bringing a drug successfully through all clinical trial phases takes, on average, 10-12 years in research and development. Artificial intelligence and machine learning in drug discovery hold the key to reducing these costs and timelines.

You can read much more about how AI is redefining drug discovery in my new book Quantum Care: A Deep Dive into AI for Health Delivery and Research. It’s a comprehensive look at how AI and machine learning are being used to improve healthcare delivery at every touchpoint, with a particular emphasis on drug discovery and Pharma research.

Rohit Mahajan is a Managing Partner with BigRio. He has particular expertise in the development and design of innovative solutions for clients in Healthcare, Financial Services, Retail, Automotive, Manufacturing, and other industry segments.

BigRio is a technology consulting firm empowering data to drive innovation and advanced AI. We specialize in cutting-edge Big Data, Machine Learning, and Custom Software strategy, analysis, architecture, and implementation solutions. If you would like to benefit from our expertise in these areas or if you have further questions on the content of this article, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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The University Of Southern California Launches $1 Billion-plus Initiative to Advance Quantum Computing

The University of Southern California (USC) has announced that it has launched the single largest comprehensive academic initiative in the university’s history — Frontiers of Computing. The initiative integrates computing throughout education and research to enhance digital literacy for all students as the university aims to hold its lead as a top provider of tech professionals.

USC President Carol L. Folt says that quantum computing and AI will be a big part of the $1 billion-plus initiative. In addition to a focus on AI and machine learning, Folt said that “data science, augmented and virtual reality, robotics, gaming, and blockchain” will all be part of the initiative.

“I want every student who comes through our programs, whether they are in science, business, the humanities, or the arts, to have a solid grounding in technology and the ethics of the work that they do,” Folt said. “We will integrate digital literacy across disciplines to create responsible leaders for the workforce of the future.”

Seeded with a $260 million gift from the Lord Foundation of California, USC Frontiers of Computing encompasses a multipronged effort to push the boundaries of computing into a new era.

USC leaders began developing Frontiers of Computing three years ago, before the recent rise of artificial intelligence and generative AI.

USC already is the leading provider of tech talent for the nation. More than 1,300 students per year graduate with bachelor’s, master’s, and PhDs in computer science.

“We all know the world is changing very fast right now,” Folt said. “We need to take that momentum of change — and couple it with USC’s history of innovation — to create what has never been done before. And we’re going to do it.”

How Big Rio Can Help

Much like the USC initiative, one of BigRio’s ultimate goals is to help foster the next generation of IT innovators with our focus on the support of startups in AI and quantum computing.

Quantum computing is still very much an emerging technology with large-scale and practical applications still a way off. However, the technology is steadily graduating from the lab and heading for the marketplace. In 2019, Google announced that it had achieved “quantum supremacy,” IBM has committed to doubling the power of its quantum computers every year, and numerous other companies and academic institutions are investing billions toward making quantum computing a commercial reality.

Quantum computing will take artificial intelligence and machine learning to the next level. For example, quantum computing’s ability to process and manipulate vast amounts of data simultaneously can enhance data processing capabilities in AI systems. This is particularly beneficial for handling big data applications, where quantum computers can provide faster data analysis, more efficient data clustering, and improved data compression techniques.

The marriage between the two is an area to pay very close attention to for startups as well as for where Big Tech will be going over the next five to ten years, and wherever this road can take us, BigRio will be there to help get startups and society as a whole to its ultimate destination.

You can read much more about how quantum computing will redefine AI and machine learning in my new book Quantum Care: A Deep Dive into AI for Health Delivery and Research. It’s a comprehensive look at how AI is being used to improve healthcare and society as a whole.

Rohit Mahajan is a Managing Partner with BigRio. He has particular expertise in the development and design of innovative solutions for clients in Healthcare, Financial Services, Retail, Automotive, Manufacturing, and other industry segments.

BigRio is a technology consulting firm empowering data to drive innovation and advanced AI. We specialize in cutting-edge Big Data, Machine Learning, and Custom Software strategy, analysis, architecture, and implementation solutions. If you would like to benefit from our expertise in these areas or if you have further questions on the content of this article, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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Startup Reveals Unprecedented Quantum Computer Chip!

Quantum computer startup SEEQC has just unveiled a quantum digital chip that can operate at super-cold temperatures.

The New York-based startup said in a recent press release that it has developed a digital chip that can operate at temperatures colder than outer space so it can be used with quantum processors that are often in cryogenic chambers.

Quantum computers, which leverage the properties of quantum physics, can complete some calculations millions of times faster than conventional computers. This makes them essential to the ongoing evolution of artificial intelligence.

One challenge is that quantum processors, unlike conventional computer chips, often need to be stored at very cold temperatures near zero Kelvin, or -273.15 Celsius. It has been very hard to find chips that can operate in that kind of environment and process the qubits that need to be in close proximity to the main processors in order for the “quantum entanglements” upon which quantum computing relies to work.

Before the announcement by SEEQC, in most quantum applications, hard wires connect the quantum processor in the freezing chamber to classical computers nearby but at room temperature, but the temperature change can slow the speed and cause other issues.

SEEQC seems to have solved that issue by developing a chip that can operate in the super-cold environment. The first such chip, which it unveiled recently, resides directly under the quantum processor and controls the qubits and reads out the results.

At least two other chips still under development will be in a slightly warmer part of the cryogenic chamber. These could further process the information needed for quantum computing.

The technology could make it easier to build more powerful quantum computers as each cryogenic chamber would be able to support a larger number of qubits, said John Levy, co-founder, and CEO of SEEQC. Today’s superconducting quantum computers have hundreds of qubits, but some estimate thousands or even a million could be needed to create a quantum computer to run next-gen AI algorithms.

The SEEQC digital chips are made at SEEQC’s fabrication facility in Elmsford using silicon wafers but do not use transistors, Levy said.

SEEQC was founded in 2018 and has raised a total of $30 million from investors, including Merck’s M Ventures and LG Tech Ventures.

How is This Discovery Relevant to AI?

Quantum computing will take AI and machine learning to the next level. The marriage between the two is an area to pay very close attention to for startups such as SEEQC as well as for where Big Tech will be going over the next five to ten years.

Consider this. We are at the limits of the data processing power of traditional computers, and the data just keeps growing. It has been estimated that we produce 2.5 exabytes (one exabyte = 1 billion GB ) of data every day. That’s equivalent to 250,000 Libraries of Congress or the content of five million laptops!

In order to handle this ever-increasing volume of data, there’s a race from the biggest leaders in the industry to be the first to launch a practical quantum computer. Only a quantum computer will be powerful enough to process all of this Big Data and be able to solve increasingly complex problems in order for AI to reach its full potential.

How Big Rio Can Help

Quantum computing is still very much an emerging technology with large-scale and practical applications still a ways off. However, the technology is steadily graduating from the lab and heading for the marketplace. In 2019, Google announced that it had achieved “quantum supremacy,” IBM has committed to doubling the power of its quantum computers every year, and numerous other companies and academic institutions are investing billions toward making quantum computing a commercial reality.

Quantum computing algorithms will allow us to enhance what’s already possible with machine learning and AI. BigRio will be there to help get startups and society as a whole to AI’s ultimate destination.

You can read much more about how quantum computing will redefine AI and machine learning in my new book Quantum Care: A Deep Dive into AI for Health Delivery and Research. It’s a comprehensive look at how AI is being used to improve healthcare and society as a whole.

Rohit Mahajan is a Managing Partner with BigRio. He has a particular expertise in the development and design of innovative solutions for clients in Healthcare, Financial Services, Retail, Automotive, Manufacturing, and other industry segments.

BigRio is a technology consulting firm empowering data to drive innovation, and advanced AI. We specialize in cutting-edge Big Data, Machine Learning, and Custom Software strategy, analysis, architecture, and implementation solutions. If you would like to benefit from our expertise in these areas or if you have further questions on the content of this article, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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IBM And EY Form Strategic Alliance to Expand Into Quantum Computing

The EY organization and IBM recently announced that EY Global Services Limited will be joining the IBM Quantum Network, further enabling EY teams to explore solutions with IBM that could help resolve some of today’s most complex business and global challenges.

The EY organization established its own Global Quantum Lab last year with a mission to “harness quantum value in the domains of trust, transformation, and sustainability.” Under the new alliance, EY will gain access to IBM’s fleet of quantum computers over the cloud and will become part of the IBM Quantum Network’s community of organizations working to advance quantum computing.

Quantum computing is a rapidly emerging technology that harnesses the laws of quantum mechanics to solve problems that even today’s most powerful supercomputers cannot solve. EY teams will leverage their access to the world’s largest fleet of quantum computers to explore solutions to enterprise challenges across finance, oil and gas, healthcare, and government.

Leveraging IBM’s quantum technology, EY teams plan to conduct leading-class research to uncover transformative use cases, including but not limited to the reduction of CO2 emissions from classical computing, the improvement of safety and accuracy of self-driving cars, and most critically, integrate quantum benefits into organizations’ mainstream systems for data processing and enterprise decision making.

In a press release announcing the EY/IBM alliance Andy Baldwin, EY Global Managing Partner, said, “Quantum, in terms of importance to business, society, and the EY organization, is akin to what AI represented years ago. This alliance puts the EY organization at the forefront of technology. As we invest in this level of quantum computing access, we accelerate our own position and depth of knowledge and capabilities in this space and deepen our rich relationship with our IBM alliance teams.”

Jay Gambetta, Vice President IBM Quantum, added, “IBM’s vision is to deliver useful quantum computing to the world. We value partners like the EY organization that can introduce emerging technology to a wide ecosystem of public and private industry. This will help EY facilitate the exploration of quantum computing’s potential for use cases that matter in their industry.”

How is This Alliance Relevant to AI?

If the is any limit at all on what AI can achieve to improve healthcare, education, research, the economy, and society as a whole, it is the processing power of conventional computers. The marriage of AI and quantum computing will help AI fulfill all of its potential promise, and alliances like this one will help get us there.

Membership in the IBM Quantum Network is part of a broader effort by the EY organization to invest and develop robust capabilities in emerging technologies, which already include artificial intelligence.

How Big Rio Can Help

Quantum computing is still very much an emerging technology with large-scale and practical applications still a way off. However, the technology is steadily graduating from the lab and heading for the marketplace. In 2019, Google announced that it had achieved “quantum supremacy,” IBM, as can be seen in this venture with EY, is fulfilling on its commitment to doubling the power of its quantum computers every year, and numerous other companies and academic institutions are investing billions toward making quantum computing a commercial reality.

Quantum computing will take artificial intelligence and machine learning to the next level. The symbiosis between the two is an area to pay very close attention to for startups as well as for where Big Tech will be going over the next five to ten years, and where ever this road can take use BigRio will be there to help get startups and society as a whole to its ultimate destination.

You can read much more about how quantum computing will redefine AI and machine learning in my new book Quantum Care: A Deep Dive into AI for Health Delivery and Research. It’s a comprehensive look at how AI is being used to improve healthcare and society as a whole. There is an entire chapter devoted to quantum computing and AI.

Rohit Mahajan is a Managing Partner with BigRio. He has a particular expertise in the development and design of innovative solutions for clients in Healthcare, Financial Services, Retail, Automotive, Manufacturing, and other industry segments.

BigRio is a technology consulting firm empowering data to drive innovation and advanced AI. We specialize in cutting-edge Big Data, Machine Learning, and Custom Software strategy, analysis, architecture, and implementation solutions. If you would like to benefit from our expertise in these areas or if you have further questions on the content of this article, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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A Major Hurdle to Large-Scale Implementation of Quantum Computing Has Been Overcome!

The promises of quantum computing, particularly when combined with AI, are many. However, the technology, while being used in some real-world applications, is still in its infancy, and there are many hurdles yet to be overcome before quantum computers can be implemented on a large scale. However, researchers with Sussex University report that they may have just overcome one of them.

The scientists say that they have managed to transfer data between chips at record speeds and – more importantly – record accuracy.

“What we have achieved here is the ability to realize extremely powerful quantum computers capable of solving some of the most important problems for industries and society,” said lead researcher Prof Winfried Hensinger.

The foundation of the power of quantum computing is drawn from quantum physics, hence its name. Without getting into a complex discussion beyond the scope of this article, quantum computing relies on one of the driving principles of quantum mechanics, namely that subatomic particles can literally exist in two places at the same time and can be in a state of “quantum attachment” mirroring each other’s actions almost simultaneously across unfathomable distances.

Leveraging these properties in the computational space means that quantum computers could potentially handle multiple processes at speeds not possible with even today’s most advance “supercomputers.”

One of the major obstacles to the technology’s development has been the ability to transfer information across chips, so it remains intact. Quantum computers, by design, are highly sensitive and therefore have a low fault tolerance. That means that the slightest interferences can disrupt their effective operation.

The research team at Sussex University demonstrated a way to transfer information between quantum chips with 99.999993% reliability, and the connection rate was 2424/s.

Both set world records, the researchers say, and show it’s possible for quantum chips to be fitted together to build more powerful quantum computers.

Director of the National Quantum Computing Centre, Prof Michael Cuthbert, commented on the findings.

“To build the type of quantum computer you need in the future, you start off by connecting chips that are the size of your thumbnail until you get something the size of a dinner plate. The Sussex group has shown you can have the stability and speed for that step.”

How is This Discovery Relevant to AI?

It is quantum computers that will create astronomical changes in the field of AI. Currently, it can take months to train an AI model to become effective. Quantum computing will speed up AI and machine learning by considerable orders of magnitude.

In fact, IBM has already revealed mathematical proof that quantum machine learning is exponentially faster than standard methods of ML, as long as “one can provide classical data to the algorithm in the form of quantum states.” Although it remains theoretical at this point, if it can be applied, then the future for AI and quantum computing looks very promising indeed.

Furthermore, and perhaps even more significant to the Sussex discoveries, is that the ultimate goal of AI is to recreate, as close as possible, the human mind. Prof Hensinger and his team’s “quantum chip-to-chip” nearly instantaneous transfer of information behaved very much like the neuron-to-neuron communications of the brain. This could have an astounding impact on AI and put us on the path to computers that can truly “think” like humans in every way.

How Big Rio Can Help

Quantum computing is still very much an emerging technology with large-scale and practical applications still a way off. However, the technology is steadily graduating from the lab and heading for the marketplace. In 2019, Google announced that it had achieved “quantum supremacy,” IBM has committed to doubling the power of its quantum computers every year, and numerous other companies and academic institutions are investing billions toward making quantum computing a commercial reality.

Quantum computing will take artificial intelligence and machine learning to the next level. The marriage between the two is an area to pay very close attention to for startups as well as for where Big Tech will be going over the next five to ten years, and where ever this road can take use BigRio will be there to help get startups and society as a whole to its ultimate destination.

You can read much more about how quantum computing will redefine AI and machine learning in my new book Quantum Care: A Deep Dive into AI for Health Delivery and Research. It’s a comprehensive look at how AI is being used to improve healthcare and society as a whole.

Rohit Mahajan is a Managing Partner with BigRio. He has a particular expertise in the development and design of innovative solutions for clients in Healthcare, Financial Services, Retail, Automotive, Manufacturing, and other industry segments.

BigRio is a technology consulting firm empowering data to drive innovation, and advanced AI. We specialize in cutting-edge Big Data, Machine Learning, and Custom Software strategy, analysis, architecture, and implementation solutions. If you would like to benefit from our expertise in these areas or if you have further questions on the content of this article, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

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What is Quantum Biology, and How Is it Changing Medicine for the Better?

AI and “quantum biology” may hold the key to changing medicine forever, maybe even the eradication of all disease!

Imagine a world where cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s even aging itself have been defeated or can be treated in such a way that everyone can enjoy a long life of strength, vitality, and good health. That is the ultimate promise of artificial intelligence in healthcare, and it is AI combined with quantum computing which is creating the emerging field of “quantum biology” that could make that world a reality.

At its most basic meaning, the term “quantum” refers to something that is so small that it borders on the infinitesimal. In quantum physics, that means the smallest particle possible that still maintains the properties of the matter it is part of. In quantum biology, it may reveal the deepest level of understanding of how the body works and the real impact of disease that has thus far eluded even the most advanced medical science — and quantum computing will help.

Without getting into heavy details on how — quantum computing has processing power and memory capacity that is many orders of magnitude higher than conventional computers. With its ability to process massive amounts of data quickly, quantum computing, when combined with AI algorithms, may provide researchers with the in-depth information they need to unlock the innermost secrets of the human body.
One area where this is, albeit in its infancy, but already occurring is in Pharma research and drug discovery.

With quantum technology, the hope is that drug-trial simulations can eliminate the high development costs, reducing the barriers that prevent pharmaceutical companies from investing in developing treatments for rare diseases, speeding up trials, and improving patient outcomes.

This is especially true for some of the rarest yet most devastating conditions. It is an unfortunate economic reality that innovative treatments for rare diseases, no matter how fatal or debilitating they can be – rarely get developed because it is just too costly, relative to the people that would benefit and therefore pay for any drugs that were developed. But, with AI and quantum computing significantly reducing the costs of drug discovery at every phase – that profit motive can be removed. The development of effective treatment for all diseases, no matter how rare, could be possible, which could radically change healthcare for the better.

AI, Quantum Computing, and “The Virtual Patient”

Besides drug discovery, the other area in healthcare where AI combined with quantum computing is likely to make the biggest paradigm shift is in cognitive digital twin technologies or CDT. In CDT, a “digital twin” of a real-world system is created using AI algorithms. Digital twins are already being used to monitor the “healthspan” of high-value mechanical systems such as cars, boats, and airplanes. NOAA recently announced it is using AI to develop a “digital twin” of the Earth itself to track global climate change.
CDT is already being used in healthcare through the creation of “virtual organs,” which are being used in drug trials. But the Holy Grail of personalized healthcare is the creation of a digital twin of yourself. Just as digital twins of helicopters and fighter jets are used to monitor systems breakdowns for preventive maintenance – once each of us has our own cognitive digital twins, our doctors can monitor us for health issues before they become major concerns.

A “digital patient” will also make very specific and targeted therapeutics a reality, as your doctor can try different drugs on you virtually to see what is the most effective treatment without any fear of side effects or complications. Quantum computing will make the digital twinning of something as complex as the human body possible.
Currently, the pharmaceutical industry, and indeed all of healthcare by its very nature, has to take a one-size-fits-all approach. Every patient with a condition is treated with the same few drugs or treatment options. But know not all drugs are not effective for everyone. Quantum tech will allow doctors to personalize medicines to create uniquely tailored treatments for their patients, which will be a fundamental shift in healthcare.

How Big Rio Can Help

Quantum computing is still very much an emerging technology with large-scale and practical applications still a way off. However, the technology is steadily graduating from the lab and heading for the marketplace. In 2019, Google announced that it had achieved “quantum supremacy,” IBM has committed to doubling the power of its quantum computers every year, and numerous other companies and academic institutions are investing billions toward making quantum computing a commercial reality.

Quantum computing will take artificial intelligence and machine learning to the next level. The marriage between the two is an area to pay very close attention to for startups as well as for where Big Tech will be going over the next five to ten years, and where ever this road can take use BigRio will be there to help get startups and society as a whole to its ultimate destination.

Rohit Mahajan is a Managing Partner with BigRio. He has a particular expertise in the development and design of innovative solutions for clients in Healthcare, Financial Services, Retail, Automotive, Manufacturing, and other industry segments.

BigRio is a technology consulting firm empowering data to drive innovation, and advanced AI. We specialize in cutting-edge Big Data, Machine Learning, and Custom Software strategy, analysis, architecture, and implementation solutions. If you would like to benefit from our expertise in these areas or if you have further questions on the content of this article, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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Quantum “Spooky Action at a Distance” Lands Scientists Nobel Prize in Physics

October is the month for all things spooky, so it’s no wonder that The 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to three scientists whose work provided the groundbreaking “spooky at a distance” relationship in quantum mechanics.

While it is an odd phenomenon, there is nothing “supernatural” about the discovery of “spooky at a distance” behavior of particles. The theory, as proven by the work of the scientists receiving the awards, refers to the way that particles once “bound” together at the quantum level, will still behave as if they were bound, even when they are separated over great distances.

John F. Clauser, Alain Aspect, and Anton Zeilinger won the 10 million Swedish krona ($915,000) prize for “experiments with entangled photons, establishing the violation of Bell inequalities and pioneering quantum information science,” the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced on Tuesday Oct. 4.

Albert Einstein who was aware of the phenomenon dubbed it “spooky action at a distance.”

This concept of “quantum entanglement” paves the way for such theoretical applications as teleportation and forms the very real basis for quantum computing. It is this “spooky” behavior of entangled particles that makes quantum computers orders of magnitude more powerful than even the most powerful supercomputers in use today.

A quantum computer in used by Google is said to be 100 million times faster than any of today’s systems.

What is a Quantum Computer?
The main difference between quantum computers and conventional computers is that they do not store and process information in the bits and bytes that we are familiar with, but rather in something else entirely, known as quantum bits, or “qubits.”

All conventional computing comes down to streams of electrical or optical pulses representing 1s or 0s. Everything from your tweets and e-mails to your iTunes songs and YouTube videos are essentially long strings of these binary digits.

Qubits, on the other hand, are typically made up of subatomic particles such as electrons or photons. The very same photons that were involved in the trio of scientists Nobel Prize winning experiments.

Qubits leverage quantum entanglement,” something that Einstein himself called “spooky action at a distance.”

A simple way of understanding “entanglement” is it is an interdependence based on a long an intimate relationship between the two particles, like a child who goes away to college across the country, but still is “dependent” on the support of his or her parents.

In quantum computing, entanglement is what accounts for the nearly incomprehensible processing power and memory of quantum computers. In a conventional computer, bits and processing power are in a 1:1 relationship – if you double the bits, you get double the processing power, but thanks to entanglement, adding extra qubits to a quantum machine produces an exponential increase in its calculation ability.

Quantum computing is still very much an emerging technology with large scale and practical applications still a way off. However, the technology is steadily graduating from the lab and heading for the marketplace. In 2019, Google announced that it had achieved “quantum supremacy,” IBM has committed to doubling the power of its quantum computers every year, and numerous other companies and academic institutions are investing billions toward making quantum computing a commercial reality.

Quantum computing will take artificial intelligence and machine learning to the next level. The marriage between the two is an area to pay very close attention to for startups as well as for where Big Tech will be going over the next five to ten years.

Zeilinger, 77, professor emeritus at the University of Vienna, said during a press conference about the award, “It is quite clear that in the near future we will have quantum communication all over the world.”

Kudos to the Royal Swedish Academy for recognizing the groundbreaking work of the gentlemen that have literally opened the door into another world and the unbridled potential of artificial intelligence and information technology.

Rohit Mahajan is a Managing Partner with BigRio. He has a particular expertise in the development and design of innovative solutions for clients in Healthcare, Financial Services, Retail, Automotive, Manufacturing, and other industry segments.

BigRio is a technology consulting firm empowering data to drive innovation, and advanced AI. We specialize in cutting-edge Big Data, Machine Learning, and Custom Software strategy, analysis, architecture, and implementation solutions. If you would like to benefit from our expertise in these areas or if you have further questions on the content of this article, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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