Impact of Quantum Computing on Society

Impact of Quantum Computing on Society
Introduction to Quantum Computing
Quantum computing is one of the emerging topics in information technology that people are
focusing on and are developing quite a lot of interest for. However, like with every other change,
quantum computing brings with it its own advantages and disadvantages that have to be
embraced or overcome when adopting the technology.
Quantum is a Latin word which means amount which can also mean the smallest possible
discrete unit of any physical property such as energy or matter in modern understanding (Rouse,
2018). The oxford dictionary defines quantum to be a discrete quantity of energy which is
proportional in magnitude to the frequency of the radiation that it represents (Oxford University
Press, n.d). Therefore quantum can be said to be a very small unit of any property that can be
measured
Quantum computing, is computing using the quantum-mechanical phenomena such as
superposition and enlargement (Wikipedia, 2018). It exhaustively uses the abnormal ability of
subatomic particles to exist in more than one state at any given time (Beall & Reynolds, 2018).
As a result of the behavior of the tiniest of particles, operations can be done more quickly and
using less energy as compared to classical computers. Hence quantum computing involves the
use of computer s that apply qubits as their unit of measurement which are much smaller than the
conventional binary measurements of classical computers.
A quantum computer refers to a device that can perform quantum computing. They can be said
to be incredibly powerful machines that make use of a new approach in the processing of
information. The computers are built on the principles of quantum mechanics and exploit the
complex and fascinating laws of nature that are always in existence but are however left hidden
such that they are not seen (IBM, n.d.).

Impact on society
Advantages of quantum computing
The most significant advantage that comes with quantum computers is the speed. In terms of
speed, a quantum computer is a lot faster than both a normal and a super computer. Google has a
quantum computing project in partnership with NASA using the D Wave 2 system with 1097
qubits. Recently they discovered that it outperformed super computers by more than three
thousand times and a hundred million times a normal computer on an optimization problem
solving it in mere seconds (Nield, 2015). Therefore with a quantum computer, the indefinite
waiting for complex algorithms to be solved will no longer be such a big problem.
Application of quantum computers would revolutionize healthcare delivery by making
personalized medicine a reality and enabling complex modeling of proteins in the genomes to be
carried out quickly therefore speeding up research and new molecule development.
Quantum communication and quantum internet will become realities. To this effect, a China-
based scientists have developed a quantum internet system that’s impermeable to hacking. The
principle behind the internet is “quantum enlargement” whereby data is not sent over the internet
but is mirrored making use a pair of photons. Since no data is travelling therefore no data
stealing can take place (Technology for Accountants, 2017). This is a solution for both quantum
and classical computers to solve the issue of security, hacking and information theft.
Disadvantages of quantum computing
As with any new technology or innovation, there is always a disadvantage that comes with its
adoption. However, people always find a way to mitigate the effects, do away with the current
technology in use in order to adopt the new technology in a safer environment without bringing
great negative impacts on the society or adopt the technology gradually as they solve the
anticipated issues.
The greatest problem that quantum computing poses is security. The most current cryptography
that drives online commerce and banking depends on the use of complex mathematics problems
that are difficult to solve in a realistic time period by the classic computers. However, quantum
computers are good at such things therefore it’s not a problem for them. All algorithms for
encryption and decryption have their basis from Prime Factors. A quantum computer has the

ability to calculate the prime factors of a number with a lot of ease (E-spin, 2018). In fact, the
non-profit Cloud Security Alliance says that within fifteen years every public key infrastructure
(PKI) driving online security would be broken leading to lots devastating effects on the economy
globally(Leipzig, 2017).
Once the public key cryptosystems are broken it will not be possible to determine if a Rivest-
Shamir-Adleman signature (RSA) or Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm signature
(ECDSA) was made by the legitimate owner of the key or not. Although new signatures can be
made by quantum-safe algorithms, a large number of previously signed data will still be out there
(Jones, 2017). This scenario will lead to a lot of trust issues especially on financial institutions
where one does not know if the signature used is real or fake.
Quantum computers are also said to be unstable and the materials to be used to build one, are
from future technology which are not yet fully developed. Therefore, a quantum computer
cannot be fully developed since scientists are not sure of how it should be and what should be
done to make it very stable.
Solutions and alternatives to mitigate effects
As much as a technology has its negative effects, what determines if, when, and how it will be
adopted are the solutions to the problems that come with it. If the disadvantages outweigh the
advantages and a solution is not found in time then the adoption of that technology will have to
be delay until such a time that there are counter measures for the threats it presents.
There are several alternatives to solving the quantum computing security issue. These include
advancing the traditional math-based encryption, pursuing a new approach that is not reliant on
mathematics or using a combination of the two options (Ribordy, 2017).
Advancing traditional math-based encryption will involve improving the quality of the
encryption such that it is no longer susceptible to quantum computers. The advantage brought
about by the math-based cryptography is the fact that it is more agile, very adaptable and is
capable of fitting the needs of different applications with a lot of ease. However, as a result of the
malleability, math-based cryptography is vulnerable to future attacks based on both classical or
quantum computing.