- The global community is aware of the prowess exhibited by the Indian engineers in contributing to the growth of several cutting-edge technologies, especially in the field of information technology, where every day ushers in something new hitherto considered unthinkable. Such is the dynamic evolution of digital applications/solutions in the last decade or so that nothing emerges as surprising anymore. Little wonder that countries around the world are not only heavily invested in further developing technology for the wider benefit of their respective countries, but also contribute to the overall growth of the universe as well. Of course, the most advanced nations have taken a head start in pressing ahead with the requisite investments for the purpose.
PC: YouTube
- As you know, data analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, microchips, semiconductors, and now quantum computing mechanisms are in the thick of action, primed up for further exploration. In all this, where does India stand, though? Let’s dwelve further. As reported recently, Google’s chip has brought quantum computing to the frontier of usability. Needless to mention, the Government of India and India Inc must wake up to this reality expeditiously. For the uninitiated, last December, Google claimed its quantum computing chip, Willow, had achieved quantum supremacy. It could do in five minutes what the most powerful conventional supercomputer couldn’t in 10 million-billion-billion years. Yes, you read it right. Unbelievable.
PC: LinkedIn
- Experts pointed out that the problem Willow had cracked wasn’t a real-world problem. So, 10 months on, Willow is back in the news after computing the structure of a molecule 13,000 times faster than a top-tier supercomputer. It’s the moment of quantum advantage, defined as a point where a quantum computer edges past conventional computers in terms of accuracy, cost, or efficiency. As late as July, IBM scientists were predicting this moment by end-2026, but it’s here already, and quantum computers could be used as tools within five years. This is a very big deal. When – it’s no longer if – quantum computers become available to scientists in fields like vaccine development and nuclear fusion, results will be life-altering.
PC: Interesting Engineering
- Equally, their use for weapons development could be cataclysmic. So, away from media glare, Big Tech, Startups, and governments have been investing to win this race. IBM and Microsoft are among other known names in the field. The Chinese government has committed $15.2bn to quantum computing research, and its best chip, Zuchongzhi 3.0, is said to have 105 qubits or information units – same as Willow, although it’s slower. The computation space on the best is doubling exponentially. In April, India’s best quantum computer had 25 qubits. Our National Quantum Mission is targeting 50 cubits within five years. That’s slow but unavoidable, given our low investment in R&D, 0.65% of GDP. We need to scale up significantly.
