Your Next Computer

Article written as part of the Board 360 program from Board Academy Br?

(Revisit to an article I originally wrote in 2018, adding?recent examples and highlighting the tangible results achieved by quantum computing in real-world scenarios.)

Computers don't always have to be digital. There are many models of classical computation that are not digital.?

?There are mechanical computers like the Abacus, the old rotary Curta-type calculators, and the one that is perhaps the most famous in history, Babbage's difference engine. We can also have optical computers that use photons as information carriers instead of electrons, or biological computers, a concept gaining renewed interest due to the advances in deep learning and neural networks.?

?We also have a range of conceptual models of computers that do not yet realize computations today, such as the Turing machine or cellular automata. Another intriguing concept is DNA-based computation, where strands of bases AGCT have been shown to enable a form of computation termed DNA-computation.?

?In many ways, we are approaching the limits of silicon-based computing. Moore's Law, which has driven exponential increases in computing power, is reaching its end. To continue advancing, we must explore new physical mechanisms for computation. This is why alternative approaches, where information is represented in various ways, are so appealing—because the next breakthrough beyond silicon could emerge from these ideas. And perhaps, the future of computing is already unfolding around us, or within us, if only we learn to recognize it.?

?Quantum computing is a particularly promising way to transcend the limitations of the silicon era. Beyond this, however, lies a broader exploration of the physics of computation—how we can harness physical and biological mechanisms that exist today to perform computation. For instance, CRISPR/Cas9 could revolutionize DNA computing opportunities.?

Quantum Computing in Business and Everyday Life

Quantum computing, once a purely theoretical concept, is now beginning to show its potential in practical, real-world applications. Several recent examples illustrate how quantum computing is being applied to solve tangible business and everyday problems, delivering measurable results.?

?1. Optimization in Supply Chain Management:?

?? - Example: Volkswagen, in collaboration with D-Wave, used quantum computing to optimize traffic flow in cities like Lisbon. By reducing congestion, they improved the efficiency of urban transportation systems.?

?? - Tangible Results: This approach led to more efficient routing of vehicles, reducing travel time and fuel consumption, which in turn lowered carbon emissions.?

?2. Financial Portfolio Optimization:?

?? - Example: Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase have both invested in quantum computing to optimize trading strategies and manage financial portfolios. Quantum algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data and identify the best portfolio allocations.?

?? - Tangible Results: These quantum-driven optimizations have the potential to improve returns on investment and reduce financial risks by more precisely modeling market conditions and asset behaviors.?

?3. Drug Discovery and Development:?

?? - Example: Pharmaceutical companies like Biogen and Roche are using quantum computing to simulate molecular interactions at an unprecedented scale. This capability accelerates the drug discovery process.?

?? - Tangible Results: By identifying promising drug candidates faster and with greater accuracy, quantum computing is helping to bring new treatments to market more quickly, potentially saving lives and reducing healthcare costs.?

?4. Logistics and Routing:?

?? - Example: Companies like DHL are exploring quantum computing to optimize logistics and supply chain operations. Quantum algorithms can solve complex routing problems more efficiently than classical algorithms.?

?? - Tangible Results: Improved logistics lead to cost savings, reduced delivery times, and better service for customers.?

?5. Cryptography and Security:?

?? - Example: Quantum computing is also being used to enhance cybersecurity. Quantum-safe encryption methods are being developed to protect sensitive data against the future threat of quantum-based decryption.?

?? - Tangible Results: These advancements are crucial for maintaining data security in an increasingly digital world, safeguarding personal and business information from potential quantum attacks.?

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The Future Beyond Silicon?

?The exploration of quantum computing is just one part of a broader movement towards discovering new physical and biological mechanisms for computation. As we stand on the brink of the post-silicon era, the potential for innovation is vast. By thinking beyond traditional digital computation, we can unlock new capabilities and revolutionize how we interact with the world around us.?