For decades, quantum computing was a theoretical vision floating in the corridors of academia, perceived as far from reality. In recent years, we have seen skepticism give way to optimism. The technological breakthrough heralds the beginning of the era of quantum computing, which is expected to become the domain of many organizations and countries in the coming years.
Governments and tech giants are in a constant race to build quantum computers, realizing that such devices will give them a tremendous strategic advantage in the very near future. Israel is also making great efforts to stand shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the country. The state recently announced an investment of approximately NIS 115 million in this sector. To this was added her 1.25 billion NIS allocated to promoting quantum technology in Israel, a program announced by the state in 2019.
Quantum computing marks a dramatic tipping point for all of humanity. The advent of quantum computers will change the rules of the game and set new standards for speed. Calculations and development that would take thousands of years on ordinary computers can now be completed in days, minutes, or even minutes. Revolutionize the world by solving previously impossible calculations in seconds. A wide range of industries will be greatly impacted by these capabilities. For example, better and faster financial calculations such as option pricing, portfolio and asset optimization, accelerated development of new drugs and materials with molecular simulation, optimization of complex production processes (reduce emissions and reduce energy consumption). have a significant impact on the process of saving ). When the development of the Internet and the iPhone was as unpredictable as it was in the 1970s, the human imagination cannot comprehend the magnitude of the quantum computing revolution.
Recognizing the critical value of quantum computing does not skip any areas. Tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are already developing applications for quantum computers, while organizations in the automotive, financial, pharmaceutical, and energy sectors are already training their employees. Additionally, academia is launching research and curricula at universities around the world, hoping that the growing demand for the quantum computing industry will influence the academic choices of the next generation of engineers.
However, this exciting vision can come with bottlenecks. Although the technology continues to be perfected, there are only a few hundred quantum algorithm experts in the world who can develop quantum software. A McKinsey study estimates that by 2025, without policy change, about half of quantum jobs will be vacant. There are lessons we can learn from artificial intelligence (AI). AI is already mainstream in every industry, but experts are still in short supply.
But it’s also an opportunity, as Israel’s relative expertise could bring it to the forefront of the world’s efforts, enabling different sectors and peoples to join the revolution. For Israel to realize its potential, it must set concrete goals and take steps to reach them. In Japan, for example, he set a goal of training more than 10 million software developers for quantum computers by 2030. Setting similar goals and allocating dedicated budgets on a regional scale will facilitate the expansion of academic curricula devoted to this subject. Moreover, the implementation of quantum computing will spawn a new generation of quantum developers.
It is important to get the private sector involved so that they do not fall behind. Both high-tech and other industries should be mobilized to take advantage of quantum technology breakthroughs. The world of quantum computing may sound intimidating even to serious software developers, but continued exposure and accessibility to the field will help recruit more professionals in the long run. It’s helpful.
As with all technological innovations, those who can ride accelerating trains have an advantage. Maintaining Israel’s global status as a ‘startup nation’ also requires it to become a leading and important player in this field.
