Quantum technology is advancing quickly, with Sweden contributing through initiatives like WACQT, though behind larger efforts in Germany and France. Quantum computers solve complex problems classical computers can’t, with milestones from Google, IBM, and Microsoft driving progress in scalability, error correction, and AI integration. Their potential spans industries, science, and global collaboration, promising transformative innovation and opportunities.

Quantum technology is really cool! And not only due to ideas from sci-fi of trans-universe communication in real time via quantum entanglement like in the three body problem trilogy by Liu Cixin. No, quantum research is also and has been a field that Sweden (yes, Sweden?!) has been participating in the race of development for quite some time now.

Sweden is an active player in the European quantum technology landscape, spearheaded by initiatives like the Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology (WACQT) and the Swedish Quantum Agenda. The efforts per example include a collaboration between several prominent universities (Chalmers, KTH, Lund) and division of labor for joint advancement.

However, countries like Germany, France, and the Netherlands have taken a lead with larger investments and infrastructure, such as Germany’s IBM Quantum System One and the establishment of Europe’s first quantum data center. Sweden’s approach is marked by strong national coordination and academic-industry collaboration, but it competes against larger-scale efforts in countries with significant governmental and private sector backing, positioning Sweden as a prominent yet smaller contender in the European quantum

While Sweden has made significant strides in quantum research through national initiatives and collaborations, its scale and impact are however comparatively smaller than the extensive advancements and resources demonstrated by industry leaders like IBM and Google.

Is there a need for a new computer?

Well, sometimes! Quantum computers excel in solving problems with exponential complexity that are infeasible for classical computers, such as those involving massive search spaces, quantum system simulations, or combinatorial optimization. However, they will not replace classical computers for everyday tasks or problems where classical algorithms are already highly efficient. Both technologies are likely to coexist, each specializing in domains where they are most effective.

Why care if my next laptop won’t be getting a quantum processor anytime soon?

Although quantum computing’s practical applications for everyday users are still emerging, its potential to transform industries, create new technologies, and challenge our understanding of the universe makes it a compelling topic with far-reaching implications. It’s not just about the here and now but about shaping the future.

Still not convinced? Here are some concrete reasons to root for an advancements in the quantum research.

1. Revolutionizing Industries: Quantum computing can tackle complex problems in drug discovery, material science, and financial modeling that classical computers cannot solve efficiently.
2. Advancing Science: It deepens our understanding of quantum mechanics and enables simulations of quantum systems, unlocking insights into nature’s fundamental behaviors.
3. Fostering New Technologies: Quantum advances drive innovations in ultra-secure communication, high-precision quantum sensors, and related fields.
4. Reshaping Cryptography: Quantum computers threaten traditional encryption, prompting the development of post-quantum cryptography for secure digital systems.
5. Economic Opportunities: Heavy investments in quantum R&D create new job markets, educational programs, and startups in emerging tech ecosystems.
6. Global Collaboration: The quantum race fosters international cooperation and competition, impacting geopolitics and technological dominance.
7. Future Accessibility: Cloud-based quantum computing platforms make quantum capabilities available to broader users, integrating into real-world workflows.
8. Inspiring Innovation: Quantum computing’s counterintuitive principles fuel curiosity and drive innovation, shaping humanity’s vision of technological possibilities.

Historical outlook and highlights

It wasn’t too long ago that only a handful of quantum processors existed worldwide. Around the early 2010s and into the mid-2010s, quantum computing was still in its infancy, with only a few functional quantum devices being built by research labs and early adopters like IBM, Google, and academic institutions.

Over the past decade, quantum computing has achieved significant milestones, marking its transition from theoretical exploration to practical application. Here are some of the major highlights:

• 2019: Google’s Quantum Supremacy Claim
  Google announced that its 53-qubit Sycamore processor performed a computation in 200 seconds that would have taken the world’s fastest supercomputer 10,000 years, claiming “quantum supremacy.” This assertion was later contested by IBM, suggesting the task could be completed in 2.5 days on a classical supercomputer.
  
• 2020: USTC’s Photonic Quantum Computer
  The University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) developed Jiuzhang, a photonic quantum computer that implemented Gaussian boson sampling with 76 photons. The team claimed it could perform calculations in 200 seconds that would take classical supercomputers 2.5 billion years.
  
• 2021: IBM’s Quantum Error Correction Progress
  IBM demonstrated real-time error correction in a quantum system, a crucial step toward building reliable quantum computers. This involved encoding a logical qubit into multiple physical qubits to detect and correct errors during computations.
  
• 2023: IBM’s 127-Qubit Processor
  IBM unveiled a 127-qubit quantum processor, marking a significant advancement in quantum hardware. This processor, named Eagle, is designed to explore complex quantum computations beyond the capabilities of classical computers.
  
• 2023: Google’s Error Reduction Milestone
  Google’s Quantum AI team reported reducing quantum computation errors by increasing qubit numbers, achieving an error rate of approximately 3% for a distance-5 qubit array, advancing the feasibility of practical quantum computing.
  
• 2024: Microsoft’s Logical Qubits Achievement
  Microsoft, in collaboration with Quantinuum, created four logical qubits from 30 physical qubits, achieving an 800-fold reduction in logical error rates compared to physical error rates, enhancing the reliability of quantum computations.
  
• 2024: PsiQuantum’s Large-Scale Quantum Computer Initiative
  PsiQuantum, a U.S.-based startup, announced plans to build a large-scale quantum computer near Brisbane, Australia, with significant government investment, aiming to develop the first commercially useful quantum computer.
  
• 2024: Integration of Quantum Computing and AI
  Advancements in quantum computing have begun to intersect with artificial intelligence, promising to enhance AI capabilities through increased computational power, with companies like IBM exploring this synergy.

These developments reflect the rapid progress in quantum computing, bringing it closer to practical applications across various industries.