Quantum big data: Revolutionary processing set to power the future through supercomputers

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• April 20, 2022

Insight summary

Quantum computing, emerging as a response to the limitations of traditional binary computing, is poised to transform data analysis, artificial intelligence, and various industries by processing vast amounts of data with unparalleled speed. From enabling personalized healthcare through DNA analysis to creating new molecules for medicines and materials, the technology offers a wide array of applications that could redefine competitive advantage for organizations, governments, and companies. However, the concentration of this technology within large corporations and governments, along with the need for ethical guidelines and responsible use, presents challenges that need to be addressed to ensure broad societal benefits and sustainable development.

Quantum computing context

The rapid pace of technological advancement, coupled with an enormous generation of raw data, has stretched the capabilities of traditional binary computing. This situation has created an opportunity for a new form of computing to take center stage: Quantum computing. This emerging technology is among the fastest-growing areas within the computing industry and is anticipated to address some of the most urgent and previously unsolvable data analysis challenges of the future. 

Quantum computing's roots can be traced back to the field of quantum mechanics, specifically the unique behavior of subatomic particles known as qubits. Unlike classical computing bits, which can only exist in one of two states, qubits have the ability to exist in more than one state at the same time, a phenomenon known as superposition. With an astonishing 2.5 exabytes (2.5 billion gigabytes) of data created every day, the introduction of 5G capabilities and the Internet of Things (IoT) may further increase this already high rate of data output. This trend can enhance productivity and open new avenues for technological advancement.

Quantum computers are particularly well-suited to solving intricate mathematical problems and processing vast amounts of data with relative speed. The processing ability of these machines enables them to tackle problems that are far too complex for classical computers. For example, in 2019, Google's Sycamore quantum computer performed a series of operations in 200 seconds, a task that would have taken a classical supercomputer an astounding 10,000 years to complete. 

Disruptive impact

By harnessing the ability to process big data at remarkable speeds, quantum computing can catalyze a significant shift in data-driven decision-making. This technology enables the extraction of deep insights supported by vast amounts of underlying data, something that classical computers have struggled with. Quantum computing can provide big data-based insights to artificial intelligence (AI) systems at a more detailed level, allowing AI to better identify patterns and anomalies. The implications of these findings could be defining for organizations, governments, and companies, offering them an enhanced competitive edge through the optimized allocation of resources, logistics, decision-making, marketing delivery, product creation, and more.

In the medical industry, the potential of quantum computing is particularly promising. The technology may enable researchers to explore and test new drugs more quickly, potentially leading to faster discoveries and more effective treatments for various ailments. In the financial sector, quantum computing can be employed to enhance the precision of financial market prediction models, providing more reliable forecasts and insights. 

However, the resources, expertise, and technology required to leverage the potential of quantum computing place this powerful tool mainly in the hands of governments and multinational corporations such as Google and Amazon. This concentration of access may lead to challenges in ensuring that the benefits of quantum computing are broadly distributed and do not exacerbate existing inequalities. Policymakers and industry leaders may need to consider collaborative approaches and regulations to ensure that this trend in technology is used responsibly and that its advantages reach various sectors of society, including smaller businesses and underserved communities. 

Implications of quantum big data

Wider implications of quantum big data may include:

• The ability to accurately project the likelihood of a person contracting specific diseases based on their DNA, leading to personalized preventative healthcare strategies and more targeted medical interventions.
• Solving immensely complex mathematical problems through quantum computing, leading to advancements in basic sciences that could unlock new theories and applications in physics, engineering, and other scientific disciplines.
• Allowing researchers to model complex chemical reactions through quantum simulations, leading to the creation of new molecules for various types of medicines and materials, potentially enhancing the efficiency of drug development and material science.
• Accurate, location-specific weather predictions that are regularly updated at short intervals, leading to improved disaster preparedness, agricultural planning, and overall public safety.
• Improving the comparison of sentence meanings as performed by AI systems, leading to profound developments in machine translation, sentiment detection, and conversational AI, enhancing global communication and understanding.
• The development of more precise financial models and risk assessments through quantum computing, leading to more stable financial markets and potentially reducing the likelihood of economic crises.
• The potential concentration of quantum computing technology within large corporations and governments, leading to a possible imbalance in technological power and influence that could affect market competition and democratic governance.
• The creation of new job opportunities in quantum technology research, development, and implementation.
• The increased energy efficiency of quantum computing compared to classical computing, leading to reduced energy consumption and contributing to more sustainable technological practices.
• The establishment of new ethical guidelines and regulations to govern the use of quantum computing in sensitive areas such as personal data analysis and genetic research, leading to enhanced protection of individual privacy and responsible technological advancement.

Questions to consider

• Given quantum computing’s vast processing capability, how do you think quantum computing technology might transform societies, especially when it is only accessible and controlled by a handful of governments and multinational corporations?
• Do you think enough consideration is given to the ethics of quantum computing and its potential impact on the sovereignty of humanity?