Quantum Computing Will Have A Revolutionary Effect

While still in a development stage, Quantum computing is advancing into a new era where it is poised to accelerate both Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things IoT), based upon the concept that nearly every electronic device is addressable on the internet. 

Quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits instead of using binary traditional bits of ones and zeros for digital communications, thus gaining extensive power and great speed in comparison to current supercomputers.

Quantum computing began in the 1980s, when the field’s early pioneers developed the idea that a quantum computer had the potential to do parallel calculations that a classical computer could not. Connected devices, the people who use them, and the places that harbour them are growing at extraordinary rates.

Over time, they have become smaller and hugely more powerful, leading us to the point where we are easily able to undertake a plethora of tasks with a device that fits in our pocket. However, this progress can’t go on at the same rate indefinitely and  it seems likely that we are reaching the  limits in terms of traditional computing power.

Quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits instead of using binary traditional bits of ones and zeros for digital communications, thus gaining extensive power and great speed in comparison to current supercomputers.

Quantum computing has the ability to create an almost un-hackable network of devices and data. The need to securely encrypt and protect IoT connected devices and power them with exponential speed and analytical capabilities is an imperative for both government and the private sector.

The overall Quantum computing market is expected to grow from $93 million by 2019 to $283 million by 2024 at a CAGR of 24.9%, according to marketandmarkets.com. 

IoT technologies, those relating to connected devices, sensors, people, data, and machines, are currently in the midst of a global growth. Business Insider Intelligence forecasted that “by 2023, consumers, companies and governments will install 40 billion IoT devices globally.” 

In the new digital economy, both edge computing devices and data are proliferating at amazing rates. The challenge now is to monitor and ensure quality service of the IoT. 

Quantum technologies will change the optimisation of computing power, computing models, network latency, interoperability, AI, real-time analytics and predictive analytics, increased storage and data memory power, secure cloud computing, virtualisation, and the emerging 5G telecommunications infrastructure. 

For 5G, secure end-to end communications are fundamental and quantum encryption (which generates secure codes) may be the solution for rapidly growing IoT connectivity. 

Currently, cryptographic algorithms are being used to help secure the communication (validation and verification) in the IoT. But because they rely on public key schemes, their encryption could be broken by sophisticated hackers using quantum computers in the not so distant future.

Microsoft and Amazon recently announced they are entering the quantum computing market, and Google has laid claim to “quantum supremacy” as a result of its advances, further indications of the acceleration happening. As Quantum computing and IoT merge, there will also be an evolving new technology ecosystem, which will raise significant questions about ethics, interoperability protocols, cybersecurity, privacy, surveillance, the use of complex autonomous systems and  best commercial practices.

As Quantum computing capabilities advance, we should act now to prepare IoT for the quantum world. There are many areas to explore in research and development and eventually implementation. The coming decade will provide both imperatives and opportunities to explore quantum implications.

Quantum computing could truly revolutionise both industry and our everyday lives, especially when combined with IoT to create a secure network of digital and physical items. 

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