(photo credit: Elevate)
Quantum computing has long been heralded as a technology capable of fundamentally reshaping the way we approach problems. For decades, it has been synonymous with promises of astronomical computational speed, the ability to tackle challenges that would take traditional computers years—or even centuries—and a revolution in industries ranging from healthcare to logistics. But how close are we to realizing this vision?
Much closer than we were yesterday with Google’s stunning chip announcement today about Willow, a new chip so powerful it raises questions about the very nature of our existence. Willow “can complete a computation that would theoretically take a classical computer significantly more time than the 14 billion years the universe has existed,” Google’s Hartmut Neven said.
One of the other visionaries competing in this space is Canadian quantum computing leader Xanadu’s founder Christian Weedbrook.
Weedbrook and Claudia Privia, president and CEO of the Ontario Centers of Innovation, sat down in October at the Elevate conference in Toronto to discuss the state of quantum computing, its stunning, unprecedented transformative potential, and the obstacles still standing in the way. Their conversation revealed much about how far the industry has come, and where it might go in the coming years.
Quantum Computing Today: Where Are We Now?
One of the most exciting developments in quantum computing is that it has moved from the realm of theory into reality. As Weedbrook explained, “Quantum computers exist today. Xanadu has them, and so do others around the world. But they’re not big enough.”
The current challenge lies in scaling quantum computers to the point where they can handle the kinds of complex problems they were designed for. Weedbrook highlighted the vision of quantum data centers: sprawling facilities housing hundreds of thousands of quantum server racks, all interconnected to work collaboratively. These centers would span an acre or more, essentially functioning like the next generation of traditional data centers but leveraging quantum power.
Two critical hurdles remain in achieving this vision: scalability and networking. The machines must not only grow in size but also be able to communicate seamlessly with one another. Weedbrook noted that breakthroughs in quantum networking—a notoriously difficult area—are imminent, with Xanadu preparing to announce significant progress in the next few months.
In addition to scaling, error correction is a major focus for researchers. Quantum computers, unlike classical computers, are inherently prone to errors due to the delicate nature of quantum states. “Ensuring that the answer you get is the one you want, particularly at a large scale, is a massive challenge,” Weedbrook said. He added that recent advancements in error correction have been pivotal in addressing this issue.
Quantum Supremacy and Beyond
One of the most publicized milestones in quantum computing is the demonstration of quantum supremacy—the ability of a quantum computer to solve a problem that would take a classical computer an impractical amount of time. Xanadu achieved this milestone two years ago with their Borealis quantum computer.
“For this demonstration, Borealis tackled a highly specialized mathematical problem, solving it in just two minutes. By comparison, the fastest classical supercomputer at the time would have needed 7 million years to arrive at the same solution.”
“So the goal for us and others to build a quantum data center, and this data center would be on an acre tool, and we’re populated with hundreds of 1000s of server apps that have small quantum computers in them, and they’re all networked together, essentially talking to each other,” Weedbrook said onstage.
Weedbrook acknowledged that quantum supremacy in and of itself is not the end goal. The real challenge lies in applying this computational power to practical, real-world problems. “The demonstration was an important stepping stone,” he said, “but now we need to focus on specific problems where quantum computers can deliver meaningful benefits.” Qubits (the operational unit of quantum mechanics) “are extremely fragile and often prone to losing their information, with computations often collapsing once an error is made.”
“Google’s new paper, published on Monday in the journal Nature, says that it has cracked this 20-year-long technical issue with a built-in guardrail that suppresses errors to a level low enough for the machine to be viable.”
In October, Weedbrook said “scalability and true networking and also the ability to make sure that the answer is what you want are two of the biggest issues, and we’ve seen, particularly the last six months, a lot of breakthroughs when it comes to error correction.” Xanadu’ approach is based in photonics, with qubits that are essentially made of light, unlike its competitors
Real-World Applications of Quantum Computing
Weedbrook highlighted several industries where quantum computing is poised to make a significant impact:
1. Drug Discovery and Development
The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most promising areas for quantum computing. Currently, drug discovery is a lengthy and expensive process, often taking over a decade and costing billions of dollars. Despite these investments, the failure rate is extraordinarily high—90% of drug candidates never make it to market.
Quantum computers could revolutionize this process by enabling precise simulations of molecular interactions. Traditional computers approximate these interactions, which limits their accuracy. Quantum computers, by contrast, can simulate the quantum mechanics of molecules directly. This capability could drastically reduce the time and cost required to identify viable drug candidates, flipping the current failure rate on its head to achieve a 90% success rate instead.
2. Materials Science and Next-Generation Batteries
Another area where quantum computing could drive innovation is materials science, particularly in the development of next-generation batteries. Xanadu is already collaborating with major automotive companies to design new battery materials that could improve energy efficiency and storage capacity.
Weedbrook explained that, like drug discovery, materials science relies heavily on computer simulations to predict how different compounds will behave. Quantum computers can perform these simulations with unparalleled accuracy, opening the door to breakthroughs in renewable energy, electronics, and transportation.
3. Logistics and Optimization
Quantum computers excel at solving complex optimization problems, which are common in industries like logistics and supply chain management. For example, determining the most efficient delivery routes for a fleet of vehicles is a computationally intensive task that grows exponentially harder as the number of variables increases. Quantum algorithms could identify optimal solutions far more quickly than classical methods, saving companies time and money while reducing environmental impact.
4. Financial Modeling
In the finance sector, quantum computing could enhance risk assessment, portfolio optimization, and fraud detection. Financial markets are highly complex systems influenced by countless variables. Quantum computers’ ability to process vast amounts of data and identify patterns could provide financial institutions with a competitive edge.
Challenges to Overcome
Despite these exciting possibilities, significant challenges remain. Scaling quantum computers to the level required for practical applications is a monumental task. Error correction, networking, and hardware reliability are all critical areas that need further development.
Additionally, the industry must address broader concerns, such as regulatory uncertainty and ethical considerations. As Weedbrook pointed out, quantum computing has the potential to disrupt industries and even geopolitical power dynamics. Ensuring that this technology is developed responsibly will require collaboration between governments, researchers, and private companies.
The Path Forward
So, what’s next for quantum computing? Weedbrook predicted that within the next few years, we’ll see the emergence of quantum data centers capable of tackling real-world problems at scale. He also emphasized the importance of collaboration, both within the quantum industry and across sectors, to ensure that the technology is applied in ways that maximize its benefits.
In the near term, advancements in networking and error correction will be key to unlocking the potential of quantum computing. At the same time, companies like Xanadu are focusing on identifying practical use cases that demonstrate the value of quantum computing to industries and investors alike.
Xanadu’s Quantum Data Center Vision
A significant part of Xanadu’s future vision includes the creation of a quantum data center—facilities that Weedbrook says will be a reality by 2029. A quantum data center would leverage the unique capabilities of quantum computers to solve complex problems that are currently intractable for classical computers.
Comparing Approaches: Xanadu vs. Google and IBM
The landscape of quantum computing is populated by various companies, each adopting unique methodologies to harness quantum mechanics for computation. Xanadu distinguishes itself through its innovative use of photonic quantum computing, setting it apart from industry giants like Google and IBM, who primarily use quantum optics. It’s applications tend to be more theoretical while photonics is focuses on practical applications.
Xanadu’s Photonic Approach
Founded in 2016, Xanadu focuses on photonic quantum computing, employing particles of light—photons—as qubits. This approach offers several advantages:
• Room-Temperature Operation: Unlike superconducting qubits that require ultra-cold environments, photonic systems can operate at room temperature, simplifying infrastructure and reducing costs.
• Scalability: Photonic systems facilitate the networking of multiple quantum processors, akin to the scalability of the internet, enabling the seamless expansion of quantum computing capabilities.
The implications are a bit mind-blowing: encryption is all but dead, bitcoin can be decrypted, blockchain hashes are no longer unassailable. The partnership between Google Quantum AI and NVIDIA has had a huge impact on the traditional chip space and left competitors Intel and AMD gasping for air as they try to catch up. It’s a new tech arms race, one with the power to reshape our existence, especially coupled with AI.
