Move over AI, there’s a new guy in town!

AI is everywhere, rapidly becoming a part of daily life. Common phrases like ‘just Google it’ are now being replaced by ‘just ask ChatGPT’. But technology never stands still - so what’s next?

Enter ‘quantum computing’ – a revolutionary breakthrough that could transform computing as we know it.

So, how are quantum computers different?

Our phones, laptops, and any other ‘normal’ computers process information using bits, either 0 or 1. Quantum computers, however, use quantum bits or ‘qubits’ which can represent 0, 1 or both at the same time (superposition). This means they can perform multiple calculations simultaneously, making them exponentially faster than today’s computers.

So fast, in fact, that they could effortlessly break even the most secure encryption, putting banks and government systems at risk.

But it’s not all bad news – this game changing technology could revolutionise healthcare.

In 2023, IBM and the Cleveland Clinic joined forces to unveil the first quantum computer dedicated to healthcare research. The installation of the IBM Quantum System One at the Cleveland Clinic will allow their researchers to tap into the power of quantum computing to expand their biomedical research.

But how exactly can quantum computers benefit research and healthcare?

Here are a couple areas that will likely gain the most benefit from this fancy new technology:

Drug discovery

Quantum computers can simulate complex chemical and molecular interactions at incredible speed. This will dramatically accelerate drug discovery, leading to new treatments faster and at lower costs.

Personalised medicine

By quickly analysing genomes and predicting drug responses, quantum computing will help doctors create personalised treatment plans. This could improve survival rates for diseases like cancer.

Medical imaging and diagnostics

Pair quantum computing with AI, and you get a system that can detect abnormalities in medical scans that the human eye might miss. Earlier disease detection means better patient outcomes.

Biomedical research

From simulating brain activity to mapping cellular interactions, quantum computing could unlock groundbreaking discoveries in human health. More knowledge leads to better treatments and new cures.

Although quantum computers are still in their infancy, in the next few decades we could see game-changing medical discoveries arising from their expanding use in research. Previously hard to treat diseases such as Alzheimer’s could become a thing of the past.

We don’t fully know where quantum computers will take us, but there’s an exciting future ahead and we can’t wait to see what it holds.