Introduction
Quantum computing is a rapidly evolving field and is expected to create breakthroughs that can drastically impact our current technologies. According to MIT, some companies already expect to invest more than $15 million annually on quantum computing. McKinsey & Company reports that the industry could account for nearly $1.3 trillion in value by 2035, and that government investors alone have pledged $34 billion in investments!
So why is the quantum computing industry expected to be so critical in the near future?
Quantum computers can tackle problems that many classical computers or supercomputers cannot solve yet or have difficulty solving quickly. Moreover, it has practical uses in many fields, such as in machine learning, finance, physics, and encryption.
For instance, machine learning algorithms can become more powerful when combined with quantum computing technologies. As an example, take Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), a commonly used machine learning algorithm. Quantum Generative Adversarial Networks (QGANs), can have a potential speedup over classical GANs, and can also help with problems that cannot be solved classically.
💡🤔 What is a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN), anyway?
This generative model uses two neural networks–the generator and discriminator–that work to create generated data that is indistinguishable from the real data.
An analogy to understand this is an art student 🎨 (generator) and an art teacher (discriminator). As the art student gets better at emulating famous artists, the art teacher gets better at spotting which paintings the student generated. In this way, the generated data can get closer and closer to replicating the actual data. By combining this technology with quantum algorithms, we can make GANs more powerful!
Quantum technologies can also be used in encryptions that provide strong security, which is vital for many industries, especially finance. Information can be more secure due to quantum properties like superposition and entanglement. Moreover, some financial calculations can be solved more quickly than classical computers, due to the possibility of speedup.
Lastly, quantum computing can also be used to simulate molecular interactions. This is incredibly useful for computational chemistry and drug development, especially during initial design stages of the drug. It may be able to simulate molecules that are too complex for classical computers, helping to produce life-saving treatments.
What to expect from this course
In this course, we will explore the fundamentals of quantum computing, starting with the concept of qubits, which are the building blocks of quantum computers. Unlike classical bits, qubits can represent multiple states simultaneously, thanks to their unique properties. We will also cover essential concepts like superposition and entanglement, which are key to understanding how quantum computers perform complex calculations.
Throughout this course, you will discover how quantum computing has the potential to transform various fields, such as cryptography, optimization, and material science. By gaining a clear understanding of these foundational concepts, you'll be better equipped to appreciate just what an impact quantum technology can potentially have on the future of computing. Join us as we dive into the exciting world of quantum computing and explore its many possibilities!