Quantum Computing
Today’s computing systems are getting increasingly intricate, with semiconductors shrinking to the nanometer scale and central processing units (CPUs) running faster and more complex calculations. There is a final physical limit, however. Current computing systems can only solve problems up to a certain size and complexity. Quantum computing has the potential to surpass that limit with quantum bits (qubits).
Classical computers rely on individual bits to store and process information as binary 0 and 1 states. Using the properties of superposition and entanglement, quantum computers use qubits to represent both states at the same time, exponentially increasing the computational power of computers. Quantum computing is not only important to scientists working on the secrets of the universe, like those at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), but – once sufficiently advanced – it could also be leveraged in support of identifying solutions for critical global issues of the day. The Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) launched the Open Quantum Institute in collaboration with International Geneva stakeholders to explore the possibility of using quantum computing to advance sustainable development goals (SDGs).
