Quantum Computing, How It Works and How It Could Change the World, reviewed

We look at the latest book in a growing trend of analysis around what Quantum computing is, what is quantum supremacy, what it would mean for our lives, and how soon might it happen. Quantum Computing is the latest in the new WIRED guides series by Amit Katwala. See more here. 

Quantum Computing, How It Works and How It Could Change the World, reviewed

This is the fourth book in the new Wired series that we have reviewed, and in many ways it is a pleasant echo back to the days of the handy Penguin sized books that could slip into your coat pocket for the tube ride or a trip to the beach. In partnering with Wired they have pulled in strong subject matter experts, and Amit Katwala continues this concept.

The prose is clear, well written, not dumbed down, but equally well equipped to take you on a deep dive into the key concepts of quantum. He does tackle the claims of Quantum Supremacy, and illustrate that it is more nuanced and particular than Google would like you to think. It is possible that some, selective, degree of quantum advantage has been achieved, but almost certainly not any supremacy, and especially not in any lasting or wide ranging way. This is not to say that it will not happen, but simply that we are not there yet.

As Katwala takes you through the book, you do begin to get the sense that we may be seeing a parallel with the period of the AI winter. Where expectations got ahead of what the hardware could actually achieve or deliver results in. Already there are algorithms being written for machines that do not yet exist. Conceptually we are making strong progress, but the optimal hardware to achieve these goals has not yet been identified.

We enjoyed Katwala’s narrative, but it did feel at times he was sitting on the fence in terms of whether he felt we have a Quantum winter ahead of us, or if these goals can be achieved in the next one to five years. Progress is being made for certain, but there are still fundamental aspects of the laws of physics that need to be better understood if we are going to see quantum computing anytime soon?

A good book, thought provoking, and a glimpse of what its down the road.

More about the book ->

Quantum computing has been hailed as a technological game-changer. But what precisely is it and what is its true potential?

In this superbly insightful, one-stop guide WIRED journalist Amit Katwala tells you everything you need to know about the next computer revolution. He explains the highly complex science that lies behind it. He describes the competing efforts of the likes of Google, Microsoft and Chinese companies Tencent and Alibaba to create a viable quantum computer, and the different routes they have taken to meet the immense technical challenges involved. He considers the technology’s potential application in spheres as diverse as medicine, cyber security and clean energy. And he addresses the fundamental question: how close are we to seeing quantum computers become a widespread reality.

See more stories here.