Impact:

Quantum computing would change the course of computing and problem-solving in the future by using principles taken from quantum mechanics. Unlike classical computers where information is kept in bits, quantum information is stored and processed in qubits since these can exist in multiple states at the same time because of superposition and entanglement.

Quantum computing could crack current cryptographic codes which creates new methods of encryption and boosting cybersecurity. It could also enhance the optimization of the supply chain, the modelling of financial data and the discovery of novelties in the particular field of material science due to the chance to model molecular structures with extraordinary precision.

Challenges:

– Since quantum systems are quite vulnerable, any interference can cause errors and loss of information. Creating error-correcting codes and annealing qubits are some of the requirements for sound calculation.
– Maintaining many qubits and their coherence is an engineering problem that, together with the error rate, defines the system quality.
– Quantum computers work well in very low temperatures, and their operational technology is complex and, therefore costly.
– For most of the practical applications, many quantum algorithms are on the drawing board, and to advance the quantum computing capability, more work has to be done.