Tech Talk

The race for quantum advantage

The first real-world applications to kick start a new era in quantum computing could be in chemistry, artificial intelligence

Mr Heng Swee Keat, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister, viewing a universal quantum computer model on display at a conference in 2019. ST FILE PHOTO
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A new age in computing beckons. Quantum processors are slated to cross the 1,000-qubit mark next year, allowing quantum computers to outperform the world's best supercomputers.

If all goes as planned, that technological milestone will be an inflection point. Among other things, it could lead to the faster discovery of new drugs or green energy materials, and better artificial intelligence (AI) models to detect software bugs, cancer cells, hate speech or fraud.

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