Computing — the process of using computers to solve real-world problems — has revolutionized our modern world.
From the earliest computers in the last few centuries to Enigma code-breaking WW2-era computers, to the invention of transistors and integrated circuits in the latter half of 20th century, to the networking stack that made the internet possible, the history of computing hardware has come a long way.
However, there is another technology that is currently brewing that is promising to revolutionize our understanding of the world and thrust computing into the next stage of evolution: quantum computing.

What is Quantum Computing?
At its core, quantum computing harnesses the principles of quantum mechanics — a branch of physics that deals with phenomena on a microscopic scale, where the classical laws of physics no longer apply. Quantum physics will unlock new possibilities for computational capabilities, potentially solving problems that have long eluded classical (silicon-based) computers.
Unlike classical computers, which process information in bits (0s and 1s), quantum computers leverage quantum bits, or qubits. These qubits possess a remarkable property known as superposition; they can exist in a state of 0, 1, or — astonishingly — both simultaneously. This characteristic allows quantum computers to process a vast amount of information at the same time, making them exponentially more powerful for certain tasks compared to their classical counterparts.
Another key concept in quantum computing is entanglement – a phenomenon where pairs or groups of qubits become interconnected such that the state of one qubit directly influences the state of another, regardless of the distance between them. This “spooky action at a distance,” as Einstein famously called it, enables quantum computers to perform complex calculations with incredible speed and accuracy.

The Potential
The potential of quantum computing lies in its ability to solve problems that are currently intractable for classical computers. For instance, in the field of cryptography, quantum computers could crack encryption codes that would take classical computers millions of years to break. This raises both exciting possibilities and significant concerns, especially regarding data security and privacy — there’s a theory that claims all our current encryption standards would be rendered useless if a strong, reliable and fast quantum computer ever came to life.

The Challenge
Despite its promise, quantum computing is still in its infancy. While tech giants like IBM, Google and Microsoft are making significant strides, building a fully functional and error-free quantum computer remains a complex engineering challenge. One of the primary obstacles is qubit stability — qubits are highly sensitive to their environment, and even the slightest interference can cause errors, a problem known as quantum decoherence.
Moreover, quantum computers require extremely cold temperatures to function, often close to absolute zero in Kelvin (a unit of measure based on absolute zero, the coldest possible measurement) which makes them difficult and expensive to maintain. The field also faces a talent shortage, with a high demand for specialists who understand both quantum mechanics and computer science.

The Future
The future looks promising and bright for quantum computing, with billions of dollars being poured into its research and development by the biggest technology corporations. Quantum computing combines the incredibly complex specialties of Computer Science, Material Science, Quantum Physics and a whole host of Cryogenic Computing fields.
This is a field that will only grow leaps and bounds in the coming decades, and the technical talent shortfall is only set to grow. Therefore, anyone who is looking to get into any of the above fields will have the opportunity to interface with this incredibly promising field of quantum computing, which has the immense potential to solve the most pressing problems of the 21st century.