Quantum Supremacy: How Google’s Technological Advancements Will Solve Big-Scale Problems

A few weeks back, the release of new research generated surprise and doubts within the scientific community. It was an article detailing advancements in quantum supremacy, by a team of Google researchers, led by John Martinis. It was published by error on NASA’s website. But to understand how this new technology could help your next nearshoring project, we must first understand what quantum information really is.

Beyond Limits

As Google explains in its official blog, quantum computing is based upon the properties of quantum mechanics. Classic information–made available to us by computers, smartphones, and gadgets–is based on a binary system of zero’s and one’s. Quantum particles, however, allow a single particle to exist in two states at the same time. A very useful example is the Schrödinger paradigm, whose cat in a box could be both dead and alive at the same time. 

With the use of this technology, a digital signal could at once be a zero and a one. This exponentially increases the computer’s storage capacity, with a quantum bit, or cubit.

“Quantum supremacy” refers to when a quantum computer is able to beat a classic one in solving a problem. Today, the most powerful supercomputer is Summit from Laboratorio Nacional Oak Ridge, developed by IBM. However, according to Google, using its quantum processor Sycamore of 54 cubits, their teams were able to solve an algorithm that uses complex mathematical processes to generate random numbers. The tech company assured that it solves this program in just 200 seconds, and that it would take Summit 10,000 years to do so.  

The contradiction was generated when IBM Research insisted in a press release that it could also solve this problem in 2.5 days, using just a traditional computer with optimized hardware and software, and with much more reliable results. They even claimed to be able to do it in less time. Google’s final study was recently published in Nature magazine, and it will still take time to see the directly applied results. But, here, we tell you what uses it might provide in solving big problems.  

Benefits of Quantum Computing 

Erik Lucero, a hardware engineer at Google’s quantum laboratory,  stated for Financial Times that the advantages of quantum computing are many.

Thanks to quantum information, there have been great advances in criptografia. This will help decode cryptic data that modern computers would spend thousands of years in unravelling. I could also be used to optimize encrypting and information security, in a world more and more hyper-connected by 5G. 

With artificial intelligence devices, a push towards automated learning is expected, taking on problems in a new way, thanks to the massive management of data and stats. Current supercomputers’ energy consumption is quite steep, and with quantum computers, this could be drastically reduced. 

It’s estimated that applying this technology could be used in different industries, such as the automotive, manufacturing, and finances. It can help boost the creation of new materials and optimization of existing processes. In this aspect, nearshoring strategy stands out: there will be a greater production control and less time available for decision making, since quantum computing will make communication between businesses much more efficient.  

Another example includes capturing the atmosphere’s nitrogen in order to use it in fertilizers, without using a lot of energy.  Research about quantum computing continue, and its current findings foresee big advances in human development in the coming decades. 

As technology exponentially advances, so should our working practices. Traditional models will soon be obsolete. Although it was common in the past to contract software developers if needed, times have changed. It’s a nightmare for Human Resources to hire just the right person, for such a short amount of time. It’s like trying to solve a complex problem using discontinued technology. Nearshoring can give your business model this quantum jump it needs.  Those who adopt this innovation will get benefits from the start, and will be on top of tech with the agility to adapt to the size of their projects. Solving big-scale projects requires new methods and implementation. We’re focused on providing this for our current and future clients.  

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