Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence Recent Advances
Now we are witnessing the birth of a new era. The era of quantum artificial intelligence. Creating artificial intelligence which can behave like an intelligent and compassionate human being is the number two dream of mankind — second only to being able to fly like a bird. The Wright brothers were off the ground in 1903. However, AI has not reached that state. AI is taking its baby steps. With the development of Quantum computers AI is taking a new birth.
Today, “Quantum Disruption” is knocking at the door and forcing researchers and enterprises to innovate at lightning speed. As noted AI scientist and the pioneer of compassionate AI movement, Dr. Amit Ray in his seminal book Compassionate Superintelligence, AI 5.0, said quantum computing with AI is the 5th Revolution of humankind. It is characterized by man-machine co-evolution. It is fusion of Quantum Artificial Intelligence, cellular programming and other technologies, which will remove the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres.
AI and Quantum Computing Basics
Quantum computers could solve complex tasks that are beyond the capabilities of conventional computers. However, the quantum states are extremely sensitive to constant interference from their environment.
A classical computer performs operations using classical “bits” — these “bits” can be in only one of two states: “0” OR “1.” In contrast, a quantum computer uses ‘quantum bits,’ or ‘QuBits’.
QuBits are the smallest unit of information in quantum systems. Due to a principle called quantum superposition, these QuBits can have a value of “0”, “1,” or both “0 AND 1” at the same time.
Another special QuBit feature is called entanglement, which enables QuBits to interact, work together and perform many computations at the same time even when not physically connected.
The larger the number of QuBits that a quantum computer has, the more powerful it is. While physicists are trying apply brute force to increase the number of so-called QuBits, the other researchers are pursuing the simulated ideas to use more complex quantum systems with minimum QuBits.
Quantum Computing and Artificial Neural Networks
Artificial neural networks are computer programs that mimic the behavior of interconnected nerve cells (neurons). Quantum Artificial Neural Networks Algorithms (QANN) are special algorithms are designed to use the power of quantum computing to mimic the computing power of human brain.
Current Research Trends in QC and AI
Big companies like Google and IBM are competing with research institutes around the world focusing to produce an increasing number of entangled QuBits. So far, the best experimental quantum computing devices have about 20 qubits. D-Wave’s latest processor has 2,000 qubits. However, there are controversies around the D-Wave’s quantum approach.
But other intelligent players like Austrian Academy of Sciences, Compassionate AI Lab , Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology and others are pursuing new paths to increase the information capacity of complex quantum systems (QuBits) in novel ways. They are also focusing more on AI based miniature quantum machines for developing drone, quantum radar, remote sensing, imaging, meteorological and navigation systems.
New AI based algorithms are tested for protecting quantum information long enough so that quantum machines can perform useful calculations. This is one of the biggest challenges in modern physics.
Currently, there are three types of quantum computers in use: quantum annealers, analog emulators — which can simulate physical processes and third is the universal quantum computers. The instability of qubits is called decoherence, and it is one of the chief engineering problems facing quantum scientists.
Major players are in the game of AI and QC
Quantum computers are already changing the landscape of the big and small players in the industry. The race is not only between Canadian company D-Wave Systems, IBM, Microsoft and Google but small players are already taking the leads.
IBM is competing with Google and startups like Berkeley, California-based Rigetti Computing to get ever-more qubits onto their chips. Microsoft, Intel and a growing number of venture-backed startups are also making big investments. Similarly, Chinese companies Baidu, Alibaba and Tencent, which have close ties to the Chinese government.
D-Wave Systems, Microsoft, IBM and Google are the front runners in the game. But things are changing too fast. Quickly most influential corporations are loosing there innovation speeds and startups are coming fast with new ideas and innovations.
AI and Quantum Computing for Drug Discovery
Quantum computing will also allow us to model complex molecular interactions at an atomic level. This will be particularly important for artificial intelligence based medical research and drug discovery. Soon we’ll be able to model all 20,000+ proteins encoded in the human genome and start to simulate their interactions with models of existing drugs, or new drugs that haven’t been invented yet.
Impact of AI with Quantum Computing on Business
Morgan Stanley analysts predict the high-end quantum computing market (estimated by IBM to be currently $5–6 billion a year) to almost double, reaching $10 billion USD a year by 2025.
AI and Quantum Computing for Military use
China’s mission is to develop a quantum computer that can be used by the military to crack the most secure encrypted codes in seconds and enable submarines to operate on stealth mode underwater for more than three months. The United Kingdom is planning a $400 million program for quantum-based sensing and timing. A similar project by the European Union is projected to be worth $1 billion over 10 years.
Pentagon sees quantum computing as key weapon for war in space. Artificial intelligence algorithms, highly secure encryption for communications satellites and accurate navigation that does not require GPS signals are some of the most coveted capabilities that would be aided by quantum computing.
