acatech HORIZONTE Quantentechnologie

Will the quantum compute replace the traditional computer in the living room in a few years? This is unlikely, even if some headlines may sound like it. Many myths surround the second generation of quantum technologies, to which the quantum computer belongs too. This is also because the fundamentals of this technology – quantum and their manipulation – could hardly be further from our everyday world. This HORIZONS issue aims to shed light on how quantum technologies work, what is currently technically possible, and where the technologies’ potential lies. Expectations are high: with the help of quantum technologies, it should soon be possible to solve problems for which current “supercomputers” would take thousands of years. Bug-proof communications, precise predictions of natural disasters and accurate measurement of brain activity are also possible use cases.