Quantum Computing

The head of IBM Research, Arvind Krishna, recently went on record saying that quantum computers will be able to instantly break encrypted data that uses the strongest security within the next few years. This will most likely be a never-ending game of cat and mouse where new encryption algorithms are created when the old ones are proven to be insecure.  And while security researchers and physicist are figuring out how quantum-proof encryption is going to work, there are other creative energies at work trying to build the next quantum killer-app. IBM has created a quantum processor that’s accessible from any device that has an internet connection. Their intention is to get more people interested in developing new applications for the technology and to greatly accelerate current research projects within the field

A lot of researchers are saying that the quantum revolution will be more disruptive than the personal computer. Combining this technology with artificial intelligence may lead to an uncontrollable explosion of exponentially advancing technology, which is exactly what the singularitarians have been saying all along. While this may sound far-fetched, we have to take into account that we are seeing statements from industry leaders saying how we’re going to see widespread commercial use of quantum computers within the next few years. Exactly how this will affect society is not well-understood, but one could imagine a computer simulating billions of different chemical reactions and their effects on a host organism within a few milliseconds. Or more realistically, crunching vast amounts of data to increase the value of the top 1 percent’s portfolio.