Quantum computing revolution may be decades away

Subject

Outlook for quantum computing.

Significance

Developments in information technology are important drivers of social and economic transformation. Quantum computing would be the most significant development to date in the hardware underlying these transformations.

Impacts

• Quantum computing is likely to generate performance gains in machine learning, optimisation and molecular simulation tasks.
• Competition between research initiatives in China, Europe and the United States will intensify.
• Technical bottlenecks may prevent quantum computing following the pattern of exponential growth seen in electronic computing.