Beyond Binary
Traditional computers rely on bits, which exist in a state of either 0 or 1. Quantum computers use quantum bits, or “qubits.” Due to the principles of quantum mechanics, a qubit can exist as a 0, a 1, or both simultaneously in a state known as superposition.
Furthermore, qubits can be “entangled,” meaning the state of one qubit is instantly correlated with the state of another, regardless of the distance between them. This allows quantum computers to process a massive number of possibilities simultaneously, rather than sequentially.
What is Quantum Supremacy?
Quantum supremacy is the theoretical point at which a quantum computer can perform a calculation that is practically impossible for the most powerful classical supercomputer to execute within a reasonable timeframe. Google claimed to have achieved this in 2019, performing a calculation in 200 seconds that would take a supercomputer 10,000 years.
The Cryptography Crisis
The most immediate threat posed by quantum computing is to modern cryptography. RSA encryption, which secures the internet, relies on the difficulty of factoring massive prime numbers—a task that would take classical computers millions of years. Shor’s Algorithm, running on a sufficiently powerful quantum computer, could factor these numbers in hours, breaking the foundational security of the digital economy.
