Impressed By AI? Brace Yourself—Quantum Computing Is Coming

Just a few short years ago, generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) exploded onto the scene and revolutionized the computing world overnight. Now, as businesses adapt into the paradigm shift created by AI, another game-changing technology is about to upend things all over again.

Quantum computing (QC) is the next big thing—hot on AI’s heels—and it has the potential to fundamentally change how we process information and solve problems.

What Is Quantum Computing?

Quantum computing is a new kind of computer science that uses the principles of quantum physics to process information in a very different way from regular computers—enabling it to help people solve problems involving huge amounts of data or complex calculations much faster than we ever thought possible.

The fundamental quantum difference

In traditional computers, data is represented using a binary system, which consists of only two states: 0 and 1. These binary states are known as bits, and they are processed by transistors. Because transistors are limited to those two binary states (0 or 1) they solve problems in a linear, step-by-step manner.

In QC, data is represented using quantum bits (or qubits) and can be both 0 and 1 at the same time. Quantum computers, therefore, can perform many calculations in parallel (rather than sequentially like classical computers) and their power grows exponentially with the number of qubits they contain. For example, 10 qubits can represent 2¹⁰ (1,024) states simultaneously, while 20 qubits can represent 2²⁰ (more than a million) concurrent states.

The maze analogy

To illustrate the difference between classical and quantum computing, imagine entering a maze and working your way through to the exit.

To simulate a classical computer, you would start at the entrance and make decisions at each junction. You can only take one path at a time, and if you run into a dead end, you must start over at the beginning. Each time you start over, you try a different path, one by one, until you find the correct route and exit the maze.

Now, imagine you’re in the same maze, but you can take all possible paths simultaneously. Instead of trying each path one by one, you explore all paths at once and instantly know which one leads to the exit. This is an overly simplified way to think about how quantum computers work, but it helps to understand what lies ahead. Now let’s focus on the potential impact of QC on the business world.

Quantum Computing Industry Use Cases

Quantum computing technology is advancing rapidly, but its widespread application in business is still many years away. Some experts predict that significant milestones, such as effective quantum error correction and the development of practical quantum algorithms, could be achieved in the next seven to 15 years.

Currently, quantum computers are used primarily in research and specialized applications, but as quantum technology matures and becomes more accessible, broader adoption in industries like healthcare, finance and logistics is likely.

Healthcare

Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize several areas of healthcare, including disease management, drug manufacturing and research and development. For example, by simulating molecular interactions at unprecedented scale, quantum computing could potentially be used to build “virtual humans” and analyze trillions of molecules so quickly that drugs could come to market in a matter of weeks instead of years or decades.

Finance

One exciting potential application of quantum computing in the finance industry is portfolio optimization. Quantum computers can handle complex calculations involving numerous variables and constraints much more efficiently than classical computers. This makes them ideal for optimizing investment portfolios, maximizing returns, minimizing risk and enabling real-time adjustments based on market changes.

Logistics and supply chain

In logistics, the benefits of quantum computing for route optimization are clear. Imagine a package delivery service like FedEx or UPS, which has hundreds of trucks that each make 50 or more stops in a day. Optimizing each driver’s route saves time and money, but numerous variables such as traffic conditions, road closures and weather can impact each driver differently. Quantum algorithms have the potential to revolutionize route optimization by considering multiple routes and variables simultaneously, then providing the most efficient solution back to the driver in real-time to minimize delivery time and fuel consumption.

As new industry applications emerge, so will a new set of challenges—particularly the demand for robust infrastructure capable of supporting such powerful computation.

Data Loads and Network Infrastructure

Thinking back to the maze analogy, it’s easy to see how quantum computing will generate massive amounts of data while processing information at unprecedented speeds. As scientists make significant advancements in quantum hardware, one major question has lingered: will quantum teleportation (the process of transmitting quantum data) be possible over existing internet cables, or will entirely new networks need to be built?

In December 2024, engineers at Northwestern University announced a significant breakthrough after the team successfully transmitted quantum data over existing fiber optic cables that were already carrying internet traffic. The study showed that quantum communication can coexist with classical communication using the same infrastructure, potentially simplifying the deployment of quantum networks.

Quantum Security

Although fault-proof quantum computers are still many years away, security experts began sounding the alarm about quantum’s ability to decode today’s standard encryption more than a decade ago. That’s because some experts have theorized that while traditional supercomputers would need hundreds of trillions of years to break RSA-2048 (the most widely used cryptography system in use today) a functional quantum computer with fewer than 5,000 fault-proof qubits could potentially break RSA-2048 encryption in a matter of hours.

Final Thoughts

Although widespread use of quantum computers is still several years away, it’s never too soon to begin thinking about your network capabilities and scalability. And if you’re currently transforming your network for the AI of today, now is a perfect time to start thinking about how the next big paradigm shift will potentially impact your business tomorrow.

Discover how Lumen connectivity solutions can help you build a network that’s ready for tomorrow’s demands—today.

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