Quantum computing is a future promise

AT PRESENT IT CANNOT BE CONSIDERED A DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION, BUT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTINUE

by Camillo Papini

Quantum computing, more than a currently disruptive innovation, is a promise of future disruptive innovation: that of being able to process in parallel a very large series of calculations. At the moment, we have not yet managed to build a complete computer based on quantum mechanics, that is, based the laws of physics that describe subatomic particles. "Yet, if we manage to create one capable of processing a sufficient number of quantum bits", explains Riccardo Zecchina, Full Professor of Theoretical Physics and Vodafone Chair of Machine Learning and Data Science at Bocconi, "the areas of application will be manifold, from cryptography and IT security to the design of new materials, from a more agile search in large databases to the fields of artificial intelligence and data science ".

When can the first quantum computers be envisaged? “There are serious and motivated working teams in the US, in Europe and in China”, comments Zecchina. “Don't ask me what time horizon we are looking at, but I remind you that some results on prototypes have already been achieved thanks to the collaboration between quantum physicists, computer scientists and engineers”. Dedicated investments are coming from large technology companies, academic institutions and also from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Today, however, according to the Bocconi physicist, another milestone has been reached: from the cross-fertilization of experts coming from different subject areas, in fact, "a new scientific community is being born".