The race is on as more computing power is required to solve some of the most complex, data-intensive problems in existence today. How will quantum computing overcome its inherent challenges - cost, footprint, power consumption, temperature requirements, instability - to leapfrog super computers as the platform for the future? See how quantum simulators are helping to overcome those challenges and enabling researchers and end users alike the ability to develop quantum algorithms that will solve problems faster, leading to new pharmaceuticals and medical treatments, improved financial modelling and weather forecasting, cheaper energy production and much more.
The race is on as more computing power is required to solve some of the most complex, data-intensive problems in existence today. How will quantum computing overcome its inherent challenges - cost, footprint, power consumption, temperature requirements, instability - to leapfrog super computers as the platform for the future? See how quantum simulators are helping to overcome those challenges and enabling researchers and end users alike the ability to develop quantum algorithms that will solve problems faster, leading to new pharmaceuticals and medical treatments, improved financial modelling and weather forecasting, cheaper energy production and much more.
There are signs that we are approaching a technical revolution that might take humankind’s computational capabilities to a new level. Quantum Computing leverages the principles of quantum mechanics, enabling the computational power to solve specific problems currently intractable for classical computers (e.g., cracking cryptographic keys). Since we are getting to a point where we can no longer build smaller, more powerful, more efficient devices with conventional methodologies, we need to think of new ways for technological progress. The manufacturing of microchips is reaching its limits in the use of traditional architectures. Hence, new and more advanced technologies need to address the challenges of increasing energy consumption and data processing. Connectivity, scalable architectures and concepts like Cloud Computing and Software-as-a-Service have already helped to scale computational-intense applications in the last years and have attracted the interest of IS researchers (e.g., Benlian et al. 2009 ; Benlian et al. 2018 ; Messerschmidt and Hinz 2013 ). Looking ahead to the next generation, computing will comprise technologies that enable high-performance applications far beyond today’s possibilities. One prominent example with a disruptive potential is Quantum Computing. While there are abundant open questions and directions for further developments, researchers in this area have made substantial progress in the last decade, indicating that, after medical imaging, lasers, and superconductors, another quantum-technological innovation might be approaching. We, therefore, intend to provide an overview of the current state of Quantum Computing research and outline how this new technology might stimulate research in Information Systems.
Quantum computing represents a revolutionary leap in computational power, leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics to process information in fundamentally new ways. Unlike classical computers, which use bits to represent data as 0s or 1s, quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits, enabling the phenomena of superposition and entanglement to perform complex calculations more efficiently (Nielsen & Chuang, 2010). This article explores the basic principles of quantum computing, the different models and algorithms that have been developed, and the current state of quantum hardware. The power of quantum computing lies in its ability to solve certain types of problems exponentially faster than classical computers. For instance, Shor's algorithm can factorize large integers in polynomial time, posing a significant threat to classical encryption methods (Shor, 1997). Similarly, Grover's algorithm provides a quadratic speedup for unstructured search problems, showcasing the potential for dramatic improvements in database search capabilities (Grover, 1996). These algorithms exemplify how quantum computing can revolutionize fields that rely on complex computations. Quantum hardware, however, is still in its nascent stage, with significant challenges to be overcome. Current quantum computers, such as those developed by IBM and Google, have demonstrated quantum supremacy but are limited by issues of qubit coherence and error rates (Arute et al., 2019). Quantum error correction and the development of more stable qubit technologies are critical areas of ongoing research (Preskill, 2018). Despite these challenges, recent advancements in quantum hardware and algorithms continue to drive the field forward, promising transformative impacts on industries such as cryptography, drug discovery, and artificial intelligence. As quantum computing continues to advance, it holds the promise of solving problems that are currently intractable for classical computers, paving the way for unprecedented technological and scientific advancements (Shor, 1997; Grover, 1996). This article provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of quantum computing, discussing its foundational principles, key algorithms, hardware challenges, and potential applications. By understanding these aspects, we can better appreciate the profound implications of quantum computing for the future of technology and science.
Today, humanity cannot advance without the help of computation. There are still many problems that need resolving that would never be solved without the help of a powerful computer. It is also impossible to build a large enough memory to allow us to solve these complex problems. However, even if we manage to achieve the impossible, with the unprecedented rise of data and the ever-evolving complexity of algorithms, computing the answers in the traditional way would require billions of MWs of power consumption. Not to mention the energy required to cool down the powerful computers from the significant amount of heat they produce. Humanity is quickly reaching the limits of computations that can be currently achieved, raising concerns about the sustainability and environmental impact these power-hungry machines require. Enter quantum computing – the revolutionary technology holding the promise of not only enhancing computational speeds and capabilities but also potentially alleviating the energy burden imposed by traditional computing methods.
Why quantum computing? As we all know very well, conventional (electronic) computers have enormous power which, moreover, is constantly increasing. With their help gigantic quantities of data can be handled and evaluated. This is of crucial importance, for instance, in modern high energy physics experiments. On the other hand, computers can be used to model very complex systems with the aim of predicting, for example, future developments in our environment, notably climatic changes. Thanks to their incredible speed computers are, of course, destined to treat mathematical problems for which specific algorithms exist very efficiently. To mention a simple example, the digits of π are readily evaluated up to a very high order. Last, but not least, their potential to solve differential equations numerically, even when they are nonlinear, makes computers indispensable in modern research. So, one might ask, is there any reason to look for fundamentally new ways of computing as they are seemingly offered by quantum processes? What advantages can be expected when the laws of quantum mechanics, rather than those of classical physics, are exploited for computation? Two answers were given: first, the simulation of complex quantum systems on classical computers meets serious difficulties that might be overcome with the help of quantum computers. This idea was suggested in 1982 by R. Feynman, and in the 1990s it was indeed shown by several groups of researchers that quantum mechanical systems for which no efficient simulation on a classical computer is known can be efficiently simulated on a quantum computer.
Quantum Computing often described as one of the most exciting frontiers of modern science—a field that does not just push the boundaries of technology but also reshapes how we think about solving problems. Unlike classical computers, which process information in simple 0s and 1s, quantum mechanics, allowing a single qubit to explore multiple possibilities at the same time. This gives them the potential to perform calculations that would take even today’s most powerful supercomputers thousands of years. In recent years, progress has been rapid, with breakthroughs in hardware, algorithms and applications that range from developing new medicines to strengthening artificial intelligence and tackling climate change. Yet, enormous challenges remain, such as stabilizing fragile qubits, reducing error rates, and making these systems accessible beyond a handful of elite labs. This paper explores both the promises and the pitfalls of quantum computing, offering a closer look at how it could reshape industries, global security and even the pace of human innovation in the decades ahead.
The use of quantum computing1 in healthcare represents a significant shift with the potential to revolutionize medical research, diagnostics, and treatment. Quantum computing can process and analyze large datasets much faster than classical computing, offering new opportunities in healthcare. This paper examines the various ways quantum computing can be applied in healthcare, such as in drug discovery, genetic research, personalized medicine, and complex disease modeling. By using quantum algorithms, researchers can identify new treatment targets and simulate the effects of drugs on human biology in ways that were previously impossible, which can reduce the time and cost of bringing new drugs to market. Quantum computing also allows for analyzing large genomic datasets2, which can help tailor treatments to individual genetic profiles. Additionally, this technology helps in modeling complex biological systems and disease processes, providing insights into the mechanisms of diseases at a molecular level and enabling the development of more effective treatments. However, integrating quantum computing into healthcare comes with challenges such as technical limitations, the need for specialized expertise, data security concerns, and ethical considerations. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the potential applications of quantum computing in healthcare, addresses the associated challenges, and discusses the future directions of this growing field, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in fully utilizing quantum technologies in medicine. In recent years, quantum computing has rapidly advanced and attracted significant interest from academia and industry due to its unique ability to process information differently, resulting in previously unattainable computational capabilities. Despite its potential, the full impact of quantum computing on healthcare has not been thoroughly explored. This survey paper provides a systematic analysis of quantum computing's various capabilities in improving healthcare systems, focusing on its potential to transform compute-intensive healthcare tasks such as drug discovery, personalized medicine, DNA sequencing4, medical imaging5, and operational optimization. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature, we have developed taxonomies6 covering different aspects, including background and enabling technologies, applications, requirements, architectures, security, open issues, and future research directions, offering a comprehensive view of the quantum computing paradigm for healthcare. Our survey aims to assist new and experienced researchers in quantum computing and healthcare by helping them comprehend the current research landscape, identify potential opportunities and challenges, and make informed decisions when developing new architectures and applications for quantum computing in healthcare