"Turning previously impossible problems into possibilities"

Quantum computing represents the next logical step in the evolution of computing and promises to usher in a new technological era, akin to the impact that artificial intelligence has had today. In the near future, it is expected that complex problems, which would traditionally take thousands of hours to solve with conventional computers, could be addressed in just a few hours.

IBM, a pioneer in the invention of technologies such as the hard drive and dynamic random access memory, has positioned itself to lead the development of quantum computing and has shared its advancements at an event held in Switzerland. The company has identified key sectors where this new technology can offer significant benefits. Its quantum network, one of the largest in the world, boasts over 250 members, 600,000 users, and more than 3,000 publications related to research and innovation in areas such as materials science, health, and high-energy physics.

Alessandro Curioni, Vice President of IBM Research for Europe and Africa, explained how simulating interactions between atoms and molecules using quantum computing will enable the creation of new materials that can be applied across various industries. In the health sector, the company has collaborated on research aimed at utilizing quantum computing to develop cell-centered therapies capable of understanding the interactions of diseased cells with medications, facilitating the emergence of new targeted immunotherapy techniques.

Curioni also argued that introducing numerous variables in simulations with large datasets, a process that would slow down traditional computers, will be optimized with the use of quantum computers. This is crucial for addressing challenges such as climate change and ecosystem degradation, emphasizing that quantum computing will be essential to achieving a balance between sustainability and quality of life.

Looking to the future, Curioni stated that "these days will be remembered as the beginning of a new era in computing and in the world." While it is estimated that the full benefits of quantum computing will not materialize until after 2033, IBM has already made significant progress. The company expects to demonstrate quantum advantage by 2026 and plans to deliver a quantum system with error correction by 2029, preparing for a transformative era by 2030.

By the end of 2023, IBM introduced Quantum System Two, a modular architecture designed to support quantum-centered supercomputing. This architecture combines a hybrid cloud computing service, allowing users to run both quantum and classical workflows simultaneously. While traditional computers are efficient at multiplying numbers, they struggle with factorization, a domain where quantum systems excel. This will enable the management of complex workloads and simulations more efficiently, saving resources and improving productivity.

The ability of quantum computing to factor numbers has already begun to render many current encryption methods obsolete, leading state-sponsored groups and financially motivated actors to steal sensitive encrypted data, anticipating that they will be able to decrypt it when quantum computing becomes commercially viable. To address this issue, IBM developed the first quantum encryption standards adopted by NIST, aimed at protecting against "steal now, decrypt later" attacks.