In 2024, quantum computing is set to move closer to the mainstream, driven by advancements in key areas such as quantum hardware, algorithms, and hybrid quantum-classical systems. Tech giants and startups are pushing the boundaries of quantum processors, increasing qubit counts and improving error correction techniques. Many new frontiers are being explored with new use cases being discovered every day. All this is because of its sheer ability to solve certain classes of problems exponentially faster. Industry applications in cryptography, material science, and optimization are gaining traction, with quantum research targeting breakthroughs in pharmaceuticals and energy. Companies are also exploring hybrid models, combining quantum and classical computing to solve complex problems more efficiently, marking a pivotal step toward real-world, scalable quantum solutions.
These are the broad areas of quantum computing:
| Post-Quantum Cryptography | New encryption algorithms for quantum computers |
| General Quantum Computing | Computation using quantum gates and circuits |
| Quantum Annealing | Heuristic combinatorial optimization using specially designed QPUs |
| Quantum Machine Learning | Applying quantum algorithms in AI/ML/DL/NL processing |
| Quantum Communication | Secure quantum network using QKD |
Prominent cloud-based/online/open-source development environments/frameworks/platforms
| IBM | Qiskit, IBM Quantum | Open-source toolkit, Access to QPUs |
| Microsoft | Azure Quantum, QDK, Q# | Full-stack cloud service for quantum computing, open-source development kit, quantum programming language |
| D-wave | LEAP, Ocean SDK | Real-time cloud-based application environment with access to QPUs, Suite of open-source Python tools |
| Cirq, TFQ | Open-source framework for programming quantum computers | |
| Xanadu | Strawberry Fields, PennyLane, Xanadu Cloud | Full-stack Python library for quantum computing, Open-source software framework for quantum machine learning, cloud access to quantum h/w, s/w, and applications |
| Amazon | BraKet | Fully managed cloud-based quantum computing service |
| Others | ProjectQ, Percevel, Q-Ctrl Open Control, Intel Quantum Simulator, BQSKit, QCircuits, Yao Quantum, SILQ, Paddle Quantum, Tequila, Qulacs, StaQ, BayesForge, BluCat, Quirk, Quest, XACC, Q++ (or QPP), Quantum Inspire, QuCAT, QuTiP, Quipper, QX Simulator, ScaffCC (Scaffold programming language), TriQ, Quantum Computing Playground (browser based WebGL interface), PyQLab | |
Most of these are based on Python or languages interoperable with Python. To make life easier there are many open-source libraries, tools, and utilities available to work with them. Many GitHub projects and repositories can be found useful.