How Practical is Quantum Computing for Everyday Tech Applications?

[Aria James]

Hi everyone,
I’ve been reading a lot about quantum computing lately, and it’s fascinating. But I’m wondering how realistic is it to expect quantum computers to actually impact everyday tech in the next 5–10 years? Most of what I find is either super theoretical or way out of reach for regular technology users. Are there any real-world fields (maybe materials science, cybersecurity, AI?) where quantum computing could make a noticeable difference soon? Or is it still something that will stay in big labs for decades?

Here are some references I’ve been checking out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhHMJCUmq28 (YouTube: Quantum Computing Explained)
https://www.theengineeringprojects.com/ ... uting.html
https://quantumcomputinguk.org/quantum- ... roduction/
https://www.ibm.com/quantum/roadmap/

Thanks a lot, curious what you all think!

[shpalman]

I think this can go in Nerd Lab since it's a scientific discussion.

I am yet to see an algorithm which can actually tell you something you didn't already know. Every quantum circuit is a deterministic sequence of operations, pretending that some of the operations are a "black box" we're not supposed to look in, and then oh look the circuit can tell us what was in the black box, supposedly in one shot, although in many cases we anyway would have to run the circuit many times in order to get statistically useful results.

Nobody yet has even an algorithm for even constructing the exponentiation operator required to factorize large numbers by Shor's algorithm as far as I know. A paper I read on the subject seemed to only be able to do it because they knew the answers already. And of course normal computer can simulate a quantum computer better than any quantum computer can actually run right now, although IBM might be getting to the stage that they can prepare qubit states which wouldn't run on a laptop anymore.

[shpalman]

This is nice (from 3blue1brown): https://youtu.be/RQWpF2Gb-gU