Quantum technology has reached a turning point, echoing the early days of modern computing. Researchers say functional quantum systems now exist, but scaling them into truly powerful machines will require major advances in engineering and manufacturing. By comparing different quantum platforms, the study reveals both impressive progress and steep challenges ahead. History suggests the payoff could be enormous—but not immediate.
Counterpoint: they said the same thing when a computer was made of vacuum tubes and took up an entire room to add two digits.
Yeah but you have to consider one other thing. Before creating classical computers, we already had theorized them, we had algorithms etc. We knew why we were creating them.
For QC, the pace of hardware development is faster than our ability to create algorithms. It’s very similar to what’s happening with the AI bubble currently, we’re investing heavily in a new technology because it looks cool to investors, but we don’t even have enough algorithms to run on it. It’s just a shit ton of marketing…
Yeah, understood. I was just saying that because it doesn’t seem technically possible now, don’t discount that it could be in the future. Whether it would be useful, that’s another debate. But I have a hard time believing it has practical uses. If it does though, the innovation will be rapid like the shift to silicon transistors (assuming it is even possible).
Oh I’m not saying it is technically impossible, it’s the opposite actually, it’s developing extremely fast. And usefulness and having QCs in our homes aren’t that far apart to be honest. Why would John Doe have a QC at home if he’s not trying to create a new medication, or simulate a molecule? Probably for the same reasons he doesn’t have an MRI machine in his living room :)