The Case for Quantum Exploration

Quantum exploration is shifting from laboratories to commercial applications. Since many use cases won’t require pure-quantum, now is the time to begin to explore classical and quantum hybrids, as well as other options, for early quantum contributions.

For example, optimization is most likely to use hybrid systems for the foreseeable future, blending classical and quantum processing for faster, more accurate, and just plain deeper insights.

Venture capitalists are leading the way to quantum value by increasing investments from $300 million to $3 billion in only a few years. Projections from IDC indicate that the quantum computing market could grow to $8.6 billion by 2027.

Quantum is coming. The market, and your competitors, know it. Recent research from Hyperion Research found that 62% of respondents say they have unmet computational demands of 25% or more of current total workload. Which is a good reason for 74% of enterprise leaders agree that those who fail to adopt quantum computing solutions will fall behind.

Market leaders agree: you need to start your path to quantum exploration now to assure your company captures the competitive advantage you demand.

Quantum-inspired approaches, from classical to hybrid, can bring incremental value to current problems. You can apply quantum today to problems, including supply chain and logistics, automotive design, drug discovery, financial services, wind energy, oil and gas, and more.

Below are three factors to consider as you begin to explore your path to quantum.

Think Quantum Betterness

In your initial stages of exploration, it can be prudent to pursue quantum exploration for business potential based on the concept of quantum betterness.

Quantum Betterness as defined by The Quantum Insider is, “the point at which quantum is a bit better than classical approaches and better enough to warrant further investment.”

“Quantum Betterness could be a transition state that allows domain experts to rely on quantum or hybrid quantum-classical approaches that might be slightly better than pure classical approaches and seen as a baby step to better position their organizations toward unlimited growth of quantum advantage and supremacy.”

Taking thoughtful steps will help you understand the shifting technology demands your organization will embrace to support quantum.

Variety in Quantum Exploration

Quantum computers are not like your current systems. At all. Yet quantum computing must integrate with your infrastructure. That’s not straightforward.

For example, quantum computers do not use databases. They ingest the data, process it and then, as the results are measured, the data is released.

That alone shows that you need to be thoughtful about how to introduce quantum into your current systems and infrastructure. To truly understand how quantum advances your business, you need to evaluate beyond cool algorithms as science experiments. Instead, focus on problems that portend business value.

Almost unanimously (96%), enterprise leaders agreed their organizations couldn’t successfully adopt quantum computing without the help of a trusted partner. Yet, 73% of them are also concerned about vendor lock-in.

Since different qubit types process applications and problems in different ways, you need to apply the most appropriate QPU to your specific problems. Which is one reason for variety in your quantum exploration.

It’s also better to find out which of your use cases are the best quantum-possible opportunities for each quantum architecture. Testing across multiple available QPUs, versus choosing only one to explore, is a much more practical approach.

Let’s face it, options will also shift as the industry consolidates and applications not even thought of today will surface. Quantum isn’t a once-and-done learning, it’s going to be a continuing journey as technology matures.

Choosing to make an investment in quantum exploration that gives you the options and flexibility to try different approaches is crucial.

How to Gain Quantum Expertise When Talent is Scarce

Most organizations have no, or extremely limited, quantum expertise on staff. Finding that expertise is difficult and expensive. Given the eliteness of our current quantum workforce. most quantum vendors are focused on serving a very small group of quantum experts.

That’s why partnering with a vendor who wants to work with your current teams, versus hire new experts, is a lower risk and more powerful way to support your current team to learn how quantum can bring competitive advantage to your business.

You’ll want to ensure that your business experts and analysts participate in your quantum exploration. They’re the ones who know your business and where potential for improvements exists.

They are the ones that understand your business, its critical information and analytics needs, and the key insights you need to drive ongoing success.

Without them involved, quantum exploration can become a science experiment for the quantum experts, vs a business weapon for your business.

The Bottom Line

Quantum computing technology is accelerating beyond our early expectations. QPU vendors are advancing the hardware faster than expected, organizations are stepping up to explore the value and power they can expect from quantum in all of its potential forms.

The only questions are when and how it will be best applied to deliver real-world value for your specific organization.

By exploring your quantum-possible applications and use cases in a knowledgeable and complete manner, you’ll be at the leading edge of transforming quantum-possible to quantum power.