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                  I Don't Understand Quantum Computing Either

   Adam Engst

   Those who follow tech news may have seen[1]Microsoft's recent
   announcement of Majorana 1, 'the world's first quantum chip powered by
   a new Topological Core architecture.' If that sounds like something
   you'd hear on aStar Trekspinoff, you're not alone. At Pixel Envy, Nick
   Heer wrote an article titled '[2]I Do Not Understand Quantum Computers
   or the Apparent Breakthroughs From Google and Microsoft,' saying:

     I feel like I should be fascinated, and I suppose I am, but mainly
     because I find it all so confusing. This is not an explainer-type
     article. This is me working things out for myself. Join me. I will
     not get far.

   Heer's post resonated with me. As a consumer technology professional
   with decades of experience, I usually understand most technologies I
   encounter, at least at a high level. But quantum computing baffles me,
   and grandiose claims that it will develop self-healing materials, clean
   up microplastics, and eradicate world hunger only deepen my skepticism.
   I've spent years watching tech companies make all sorts of claims that
   either never work out at all or have significant unforeseen
   consequences, so these pie-in-the-sky announcements always put me on
   edge.

   Perhaps it was inevitable. Companies like Microsoft and Google invest
   billions of dollars in fundamental research (which is good!), but their
   marketing departments (whom I suspect don't understand quantum
   computing either) can't help but search for user benefits for their
   announcements. The result is cognitive dissonance'it's hard to imagine
   these companies' quantum products solving the world's ills when Google
   users complain about the quality of search results and Microsoft users
   frequently swear at Teams and OneDrive. Meanwhile, university labs that
   make significant strides in quantum computing rarely make it into
   mainstream tech news.

   I don't want to suggest that quantum computing is science fiction'it
   isn't'but it appears to be years or possibly decades away from
   practical applications, making it difficult not to view the field in
   that light. Even then, I suspect that quantum computers will be far
   from what we think of as computing today. They won't sit on our desks
   or live in our pockets'they'll be the mainframes of the future. Until
   we reach that point, the entire field will walk a fine line between
   science fiction and science fact.

   [3]Read original article

References

   1. https://news.microsoft.com/source/features/ai/microsofts-majorana-1-chip-carves-new-path-for-quantum-computing/
   2. https://pxlnv.com/blog/i-do-not-understand-quantum-computers/
   3. https://pxlnv.com/blog/i-do-not-understand-quantum-computers/

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