Quantum mechanics emerged gradually from theories used to explain observations that could not be reconciled with classical physics. There were numerous individuals who contributed to the field. Building on the technology developed in classical mechanics, the invention of wave mechanics by Erwin Schrödinger and expansion by many others triggered the “modern era” of science beginning around 1925. Centennial celebrations can be significant and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) decided quantum mechanics deserved celebrating. The UNESCO staff explains, “On June 7, 2024, the United Nations proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ). According to the proclamation, this year-long, worldwide initiative will ‘be observed through activities at all levels aimed at increasing public awareness of the importance of quantum science and applications.’ The year 2025 was chosen for this International Year as it recognizes 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics.”[1] The staff goes on to note, “IYQ began as a grassroots movement among a small number of scientists, educators, and historians who recognized that the centennial of quantum mechanics in 2025 would be a perfect occasion to help broaden public understanding of how central quantum science and technology has become to humanity over the past 100 years and how its impact will likely only increase over the next 100 years.”
The Importance of Quantum Science
In addition to Schrödinger, other scientific luminaries instrumental in the development of quantum science were Max Planck, Albert Einstein, Paul Dirac, Max Born, Niels Bohr, and Werner Heisenberg. Journalist Matt Swayne observes, “Since Planck, Einstein, Bohr and the first European scientists laid the foundation for the First Quantum Revolution in the early 1900s, quantum mechanics has contributed to many advancements in physics, chemistry, material science, biology, and information science. Thanks to our understanding of the fundamental building blocks of our universe, we can now build extremely precise sensors that reveal structures under the ground and map the bottom of the sea or detect changes in the human body that are invisible to today’s medical scanners.”[2]
Building on the shoulders of those past scientific geniuses, today’s scientists continue to look for breakthroughs at the quantum level. For example, William Mark Stuckey, a physics professor at Elizabethtown College, writes, “The year 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of quantum mechanics. In the century since the field’s inception, scientists and engineers have used quantum mechanics to create technologies such as lasers, MRI scanners and computer chips. … But despite creating all these breakthrough technologies, physicists and philosophers who study quantum mechanics still haven’t come up with the answers to some big questions raised by the field’s founders. Given recent developments in quantum information science, researchers like me are using quantum information theory to explore new ways of thinking about these unanswered foundational questions. And one direction we’re looking into relates Albert Einstein’s relativity principle to the qubit.”[3]
The qubit is an essential building block of quantum computers. This new type of computer holds the potential to increase our scientific knowledge as well as help businesses become more efficient and profitable. The staff at Raincode notes, “As we approach 2025, one of the most exciting developments in technology is the rise of quantum computing. While still in its early stages, quantum computing has the potential to transform industries and redefine how we process data. By leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics, this revolutionary technology could solve complex problems at speeds unimaginable for traditional computers, offering unprecedented advancements in areas like cryptography, artificial intelligence, and material science.”[4]
The Potential of Quantum Computing
Futurist Bernard Marr, writes, “The UN has proclaimed that 2025 will be the International Year Of Quantum Science And Technology. And while quantum computing may not have yet hit the mainstream in a way that’s visible to many of us, 2024 saw the emergence of several important real-world use cases. These include drug discovery and solving optimization problems in finance and logistics.”[5] He goes on to note, “[Quantum computing] leverages the unusual properties of particles when observed at the sub-atomic level, such as superposition and entanglement, to carry out certain computational tasks hundreds of millions of times more quickly than traditional computers. With new developments in cloud-based quantum computing potentially making the technology available to many more businesses and organizations, 2025 could be the year that its impact on our lives becomes dramatically more tangible.”
Scott Buchholz, Chief Technology Officer of Deloitte Consulting LLP’s Government and Public Services practice, predicts, “Quantum computing technology is rapidly advancing — and will likely enter the enterprise world sooner than many executives think.”[6] He adds, “Quantum mechanics, the science that underlies quantum computers, is both complex and fascinating. However, leaders don’t need advanced degrees to understand two key points. First, because quantum computers work on completely different principles than today’s math-based computers, they can tackle problems that today’s computers either struggle with or are unable to solve. Second, quantum computers will likely make the biggest impact in the areas of optimization, machine learning, and simulation-based solutions. Understanding how to look for applicable use cases is more important for executives than understanding how the technology works under the hood.”
Tech journalist John Blyler openly wonders if business executives will jump on the quantum computing bandwagon. He suggests business viability depends on successfully meeting three challenges: quantum error correction, quantum volume, and qubit-sensitive algorithms.[7] He notes that advances are being made in all three areas. I suspect that business executives connected to large and complex supply chains can’t wait for universal quantum computers to be developed. One such area, for example, is maritime logistics. Yuval Boger, Chief Commercial Officer at QuEra Computing, explains, “Maritime shipping is big business. More than 10 billion tons of cargo are carried over the waves every year. … Maritime shipping is also a polluting business. OECD estimates that today, shipping represents 2.6% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. … Lastly, maritime shipping is a complex business. Shippers try to balance quality of service, based on shipping speed and accuracy of arrival time, with cost, energy consumption and risk. Shippers can select the shortest route, but they can also select other options based on their estimation of weather, waves and wind, water temperature and other sea conditions. They can use more fuel to travel faster, or decide to go slower and save money in certain portions of their trips. Geopolitical events are also a factor.”[8]
Boger goes to explain, “Because of these factors, the scheduling of routes and decisions on which cargo will go onto which ship is a herculean task. It takes supercomputers many hours to run sophisticated algorithms that try to balance all these variables. But what happens when weather, geopolitical, or other conditions change? How often can a shipping company recalculate part or all of its schedule? Dealing with an ocean of data, complex models and rapidly changing conditions is where quantum computers can provide assistance.” And that’s just one supply area where quantum computers would prove beneficial.
Concluding Thoughts
Marr observes, “Experts predict that [quantum computing] will revolutionize many fields, including climate modeling, material discovery, genomics, clean energy, and encryption in the near future. Some also believe that it will profoundly affect the evolution of AI, as quantum algorithms process data required for natural language processing, autonomous driving, and computer vision applications at unprecedented speed. However, some also predict that 2025 could mark the arrival of ‘Q-Day’. This is a theoretical point in time when quantum computers become powerful enough to render many methods of encryption redundant — with severe consequences for privacy and security.” The fact that quantum computing has both world-changing positive and negative potential means the world needs to pay close attention to future developments in the quantum realm. It also makes the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology celebrations even more timely. The UNESCO staff invites organizations of all types to join in the celebration. They write, “We hope you’ll join us in supporting the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. Societies, institutions, universities, and corporations interested in becoming official sponsors of IYQ global initiatives and events can learn more about sponsorship opportunities, or contact info@quantum2025.org.”
Footnotes
[1] Staff, “International Year of Quantum Science & Technology,” United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
[2] Matt Swayne, “UN Declares 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology,” Quantum Insider, 7 June 2024.
[3] William Mark Stuckey, “Longstanding physics mystery may soon be solved, thanks to Einstein and quantum computing,” Live Science, 31 July 2024.
[4] Staff, “Quantum Computing – The Technology Shaping the Future,” Raincode, 22 September 2024.
[5] Bernard Marr, “The 5 Biggest Technology Trends For 2025 Everyone Must Be Ready For Now,” Forbes, 23 September 2024.
[6] Scott Buchholz, “What The Emergence Of Quantum Computing Means For Enterprises,” Forbes, 26 September 2024.
[7] John Blyler, “Quantum Computing Tech Is Amazing. But Will Businesses Find it Useful?” Design News, 10 August 2021.
[8] Yuval Boger, “Could Quantum Computing Solve the Supply Chain Crisis?” SupplyChainBrain, 12 April 2022.
