It's a fusion that can only be realized in cyberspace: quantum computing and artificial intelligence.
Gushu Li, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Engineering and Applied Science, said in an email interview that quantum AI is a burgeoning field of computer science dedicated to exploring the potential synergies that exist between quantum computing and AI. “We aim to apply the principles of quantum mechanics to enhance AI algorithms.” A growing number of researchers believe that AI models developed with quantum computing will soon overtake AI developments using traditional computing.
Quantum AI creates the intersection of quantum computing and artificial intelligence, Roman Orth, chief scientific officer at quantum computing software developer Multiverse Computing, said in an email. Quantum computing has the potential to take AI performance to an entirely new level, he noted. “For example, it's possible to develop quantum neural networks that teach quantum computers to perform anomaly detection, image recognition, and other tasks.” Orth added that quantum-inspired approaches can also be used to improve traditional AI techniques and significantly reduce the costs of developing and training large language models (LLMs).
Potential uses
“The combined properties of superposition and entanglement in quantum physics allow for an infinite number of processes to run simultaneously, allowing us to do things we never thought possible,” Tom Patterson, head of emerging technology security at business consulting firm Accenture, said in an email. “Unfortunately, this potential also includes being used by adversaries to develop clever new ways to break encryption and separate us from our information, valuables and anything else we hold dear.”
Still, Patterson is generally optimistic. Like ChatGPT, he expects quantum AI to arrive gradually and then suddenly. “While we're still years away from the full potential of quantum computing in relation to AI, the benefits of thinking about AI with the capabilities of quantum information science are exciting and important today,” he says. “The opportunity is here, and with quantum AI, the future is brighter than ever.”
Meanwhile, Li believes quantum AI will have the greatest early impact in four areas:
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Drug Discovery: Simulate molecules to design new drugs and materials with superior properties.
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Financial Modeling: Optimize complex financial portfolios and uncover hidden market trends.
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Materials Science: Develop new materials with specific properties for applications such as superconductors and ultra-efficient solar cells.
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Logistics and optimization: Find the most efficient transportation routes and optimize complex supply chains.
The Quiet Revolution
Quantum AI is already here, but it's a quiet revolution, Orth says. “The first applications of quantum AI are finding commercial value in law masters programs and image recognition and prediction systems,” he says. As quantum computers become more powerful, more quantum AI applications will become available. “We expect to see widespread industrial applications of quantum AI within two to three years.”
But the road ahead may be difficult, Li cautions. “Quantum hardware is well known to be subject to noise that can corrupt computations,” he says. “Quantum error correction would be a potential solution, but the technology is not yet available.”
Meanwhile, quantum AI algorithms are being developed while classical computing competitors achieve new AI successes. “While progress is being made, it is prudent to recognize that the integration of quantum computing and AI is a complex endeavor that will unfold gradually,” Li said.
Patterson points out that many of the most promising quantum AI breakthroughs aren't coming from academic or corporate research teams, but from diverse local developer and support communities that more closely mirror natural ecosystems. “Regions have decided that quantum and AI are too big and important to be left to any one group of people, so they are organizing to provide everything they need to make progress, from investment to science to academics to entrepreneurs to growth engines to top-tier buyers,” he says. “These local ecosystems are where the magic of quantum AI will happen.”
shocking
In a recent email interview, Guy Harrison, enterprise architect at cybersecurity technology company OneSpan, said that GenAI and quantum computing are incredible advancements in computing technology. “While AI is an advanced software layer that emulates human intelligence itself, quantum computing assembles the very building blocks of the universe to create the computing foundation,” he explained. “We're pushing computing both into the realm of the mind and into the realm of the atomic nucleus.”
Orth warns that the move to quantum AI is not a choice, as current AI is fundamentally flawed due to excessive energy costs. New models and methods will be needed to reduce energy demands and make AI viable in the long term. “Companies that adopt quantum AI early will gain a competitive advantage and survive, as opposed to those that don't or adopt too late.”
