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State of the quantum computing industry today
1961 was the year when the first practical solid integrated circuit was fabricated. It had 12 transistors. By 1963 we had 120 transistors. At that point, no one really knew how long it would take to build the world’s first commercially available microprocessor. Intel achieved this goal in 1971, with Intel 4004 which had 2,300 transistors. By 1972 we had the Intel 8008, which could be used for user-programmable applications. It was the dawn of the computer revolution.
The progress from 1961 to 1971 was only made possible by a wide ecosystem of enabling technologies, competing device architectures, common interfaces and commonly agreed benchmarks for performance.
Matching quantum computing to classical computing timelines, we are roughly in 1962. Like 1962, there are several competing ideas with their inherent advantages and limitations. However, unlike 1962, we have no standard interfaces and no standard way to benchmark what good looks like.
While rich governments can throw lots of money at the problem, governments with less resources, like India need to develop a smarter and a more efficient approach to make India a key player in the quantum revolution. India needs to have an independent and secure quantum supply chain where some key components are developed in India while others are supplied by like-minded countries.
How should countries develop their quantum computing competencies?
Borrowing from classical computing we separate quantum computing development into two areas:
- Quantum computer engineering
Where we focus is on computer design and development, and develop an intimate understanding of how to drive the qubits to a state to meet the needs of quantum algorithms. As in classical computing, the only way to learn about this area is to use open-architecture components and build a quantum computer yourself. This also opens up a tremendous potential for developing IP over the next few years and being part of the global supply chain.
- Quantum computer science
This emphasises quantum computing theory, including cybersecurity, algorithms, and computer networks. The best way to learn about this is to get access to the most available and best performing quantum computer. Such platforms are available pay-per-use over the cloud by companies like IBM.
Enabling India’s quantum industry through open architecture
Quantum computing systems are incredibly expensive. Components like quantum processing units (QPUs) and control electronics are evolving so rapidly that closed-architecture quantum computers bought today are likely to be obsolete in 12-18 months. It is therefore very important to build the national quantum infrastructure that is:
- Easily upgradable: An open architecture allows the quantum computer to be easily upgradable using the latest and best in class components.
- A platform for indigenous innovation: An open architecture allows new ideas to be developed and tested rapidly. Enabling researchers and SMEs to work together to develop open-architecture-based critical components to the supply chain in India
- A training ground for talent: An open-architecture gives students and researchers unparalleled capabilities to learn about quantum technologies.
How should India gear up to meet the investment risk challenge in quantum computing?
The quantum computing industry is still in its infancy and like the early days of classical computing, is characterised by “spaghetti” closed-architectures without well defined interfaces between the various parts. This has resulted in very high costs, poor maintainability and upgradability of systems, vendor lock-in, inefficient use of quantum scientists and lack of transferable skills.
Vendors selling closed-stack quantum computers have little incentive to fix this as it helps them achieve lock-in. Investing in such a closed system will be very expensive for India and bring little benefit in training talent and building its own supply chain.
Such white-elephant projects can be avoided by shifting to an open architecture model of a quantum computer, which has well defined interfaces and built at a much lower cost. Conventional computing has shown that open architectures reduce costs and accelerate innovation.
Vendors working on open-architecture quantum computing principles have already demonstrated that they can offer quantum computers at a much lower cost than closed architecture systems with equivalent or better performance. Countries like Israel and Netherlands have selected the open-architecture approach to develop their domestic quantum ecosystem.
India should focus its efforts on open architecture quantum computing to develop its quantum ecosystem. It will enable:
- Faster development of quantum computers in India
- Participation of Indian talent from day one
- In depth understanding of key subsystems from to train future talent
- Opportunities for innovation by Indian researchers and startups
- Building Indian technology champions that can compete globally
- Lower cost
As in classical computers, an open-architecture in quantum computers is inevitable. The choice for India is whether it wants to lead or follow.
About Vishal Chatrath
Vishal is the co-founder and CEO at QuantrolOx, an Anglo-Finnish spinout from Oxford University using machine learning for automated characterisation and tuning of qubits. Vishal is a serial deep-tech entrepreneur.
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint.
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