Chinese tech giant Baidu unveiled a new quantum computer
Are you fascinated by the world of computers? If the answer is yes, you are surely acquainted with the term quantum computers. After all, they are the tech world’s avant-garde innovation involving the laws of quantum mechanics (that’s right from your Physics book!) to solve data and problems that are usually too complex for conventional computers.
Recently, Chinese tech major Baidu unveiled its first ever quantum computer at the Quantum Create 2022 conference, Beijing. According to several sources, Baidu is planning to launch it in the global market for public use (via smartphone, desktop or cloud) soon for individual quantum circuit experiment.
Meet Qian Shi, world’s latest quantum computer
Baidu’s first ever quantum computer is also China’s first superconducting quantum computer, suggest reports. What does this mean after all? All it implies is that it requires some superconducting materials in order to generate extremely low temperature for the quantum processing unit (like CPU in traditional computers) to work. The new creation has been named as Qian Shi. Interestingly, it is also the world’s first “all-platform quantum hardware-software integration solution” which combines both hardware and software (called Liang Xi and developed by Baidu) to perform various practical quantum applications.
Qian Shi also has an advanced processor of 10-quantum bit, making it the most powerful quantum computer worldwide. In fact, the other commercially available quantum computers have only offered up to 7 quantum bits capacity till date. Best known for developing state-of-the-art search engines, Baidu now also wants to be acclaimed as a quantum computer manufacturer. Their goal is simple: Helping in the rapid development of artificial intelligence, computational biology, material simulation and financial technology. What’s fascinating is, while a normal computer would usually take years to solve certain password algorithms, Qian Shi will only take a second.
The global quantum race
Surprised to hear about quantum race? Well, believe it or not it’s no less exciting than the space race that the world powers engage in from time to time. Why? Experts worldwide have understood the potential of quantum computing in solving complex equations equipped with both high-speed calculations at insanely cold temperature set-ups. Keeping this in mind, global powers such as China, USA and the European Union have been investing in the field for sometime now. In fact, as much as USD 16.4 billion have already been invested in the field of quantum development, that is presumed to reap benefits by the end of 2027. For instance, US tech giant IBM is planning to develop a quantum computer for commercial use by 2025 with a capacity of more than 4000 quantum bits. Google plans to even outbid them by developing a quantum computer with 1 million quantum bits processor by the end of 2030. Looks like, the quantum race is on big time!