Artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing are two of the most revolutionary and promising technologies of the 21st century. Both have the potential to transform various fields of science, industry, economy and society, by offering new ways to solve complex problems, process large amounts of data and create intelligent systems.
But what would happen if we combined the two technologies to create a quantum AI? What advantages could it bring? Are we close to achieving it or is it mere speculation? What challenges and risks does it involve? These are some of the questions that we will try to answer with this article, exploring the state of the art and future prospects, also mentioning the possibility that the theories on which quantum physics is based may be erroneous.
Quantum past
The idea of using quantum physics for computing is not new. As early as 1985, physicist David Deutsch proposed the concept of quantum Turing machine, a theoretical model of computing that uses qubits instead of bits, and that can perform operations that are impossible or inefficient for a classical Turing machine. In 1994, mathematician Peter Shor demonstrated that a quantum Turing machine could factor large integers in polynomial time, which would pose a threat to current cryptography.
However, the experimental development of quantum computing has been slow and difficult due to the technical and physical challenges involved in manipulating and controlling qubits, or quantum bits, which are very sensitive to noise and decoherence. So far, quantum computers have only been built with a few dozen qubits, which is insufficient to perform practical tasks of interest.
On the other hand, AI has experienced great progress in recent decades thanks to the increase in computing power, the availability of large data sets and the development of new deep learning techniques. AI has achieved impressive results in fields such as image recognition, natural language processing, robotics and, recently, the generation of images, texts or music (generative AI). AI, however, is based on mathematical and statistical models that may not be adequate to capture the complexity and uncertainty of the physical world. And this is where quantum AI would come in.
Schrödinger’s AI
Quantum artificial intelligence (QAI) is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on building AI algorithms and systems that take advantage of the advantages of quantum computing, that is, the ability to manipulate and process quantum information, which is stored and transmitted in discrete units called qubits. Qubits have the property of being able to be in a superposition of two states, 0 and 1, at the same time, which allows them to represent more information than classical bits, which can only be in one of the two states. Furthermore, qubits can be entangled, which means that their states are correlated, and that measuring one affects the other, even if they are separated by large distances.
Hyper Cycle for Emerging Technologies (Gartner)
Quantum computing offers, in theory, advantages over classical computing in some computational tasks, such as search, optimization, simulation or machine learning. These tasks are relevant to AI, as they involve finding solutions to complex problems, modeling physical or biological systems, or extracting patterns or knowledge from large data sets. Some of the best-known quantum algorithms are Grover’s algorithm, which allows searching for an element in an unordered list with a quadratic complexity lower than the classical one, or Shor’s algorithm mentioned above, which allows factoring large integers with less complexity than the classical one.
However, quantum computing also presents significant challenges and limitations, both theoretical and practical, that hinder its application and development. Some of these challenges are:
- Quantum coherence: refers to the ability to maintain the superposition and entanglement of qubits without them being lost due to the effect of external disturbances or noise. Quantum coherence is essential for the operation of quantum algorithms, but it is very fragile and difficult to preserve. Therefore, cooling, isolation and error correction techniques are required to avoid qubit decoherence.
- Quantum scalability: It refers to the ability to increase the number of qubits and the operations that can be performed on them without degrading the quality or reliability of the computation. Quantum scalability is necessary to solve problems of large size or complexity, but it is very expensive and demanding. Therefore, technological, architectural and design advances are needed to achieve the integration and control of qubits.
- Quantum programming: refers to the ability to design and code algorithms and programs that run on a quantum computer, taking advantage of its characteristics and resources. Quantum programming is essential for creating quantum AI applications and services, but it is very different and more difficult than classical programming. For this reason, languages, tools and platforms are needed that facilitate the development and debugging of quantum software.
- Quantum interoperability: It refers to the ability to communicate and transfer information between quantum and classical systems, or between different quantum systems. Quantum interoperability is key to the integration and compatibility of quantum computing with existing ones and to taking advantage of the advantages of both. For this reason, protocols, standards and networks are needed that allow the exchange and conversion of quantum and classical data.
Additionally, the uncertainty surrounding quantum theories raises a controversial question: Could these theories be wrong? Despite having proven to be extraordinarily precise in countless experiments, quantum physics still presents paradoxes and unanswered questions, such as wave-particle duality and the EPR paradox.
Therefore, the possibility of being faced with an erroneous or incomplete theory should not be completely ruled out. The history of science has taught us that our theories evolve as we advance in our understanding of complex phenomena. The exploration of new theories that go beyond current ones could reveal unknown aspects of quantum reality.
If the interpretations made of the experiments and the theory on which they are based are not correct, it could turn out that the construction of a quantum computer of real utility would be a physically impossible task.
Quantum leap
Quantum AI is an emerging and dynamic field, which is in an incipient and exploratory phase but which, in theory, has great potential and great projection. It is expected that in the coming years there will be significant and disruptive advances in AI and quantum computing, which will allow us to overcome some of the current challenges and limitations, and open up new possibilities and scenarios.
Some of the future trends and expectations of quantum AI are:
- Get the quantum supremacy, that is, the demonstration that a quantum computer can solve a problem that no classical computer can solve in a reasonable time. This milestone, which has already been claimed by some companies such as Google or IBM, but which has not yet been independently and consensually verified, would represent a paradigm shift in computing and AI, and would open the door to new quantum AI applications and services.
- The development of the Hybrid AI, that is, the integration and combination of classical AI and quantum AI, to take advantage of the strengths and compensate for the weaknesses of both. This approach, which is already being implemented in some platforms and projects, such as Qiskit, TensorFlow Quantum or Amazon Braket, would allow solving more complex and varied problems, and offering more robust and versatile quantum AI solutions.
- The expansion of the quantum network, that is, the connection and communication of quantum computers and devices, through quantum channels and infrastructures, such as photons, satellites or optical fibers. This network, which is already being built and tested in some countries such as China, the United States or the European Union, would allow for the distribution and sharing of quantum information and resources, and the creation of quantum AI services and applications on a global scale.
To seize the opportunities and mitigate the risks of quantum AI, joint and coordinated action is needed from the quadruple helix actors: academia, administration, society and business. Some recommendations would be:
- Promote research and the development of AI and quantum computing. Allocate more resources, infrastructure and human talent to the generation and transfer of knowledge, and to the creation and dissemination of quantum AI applications and services.
- Establish rules and regulations of AI and quantum computing, defining and applying ethical, legal and social criteria and principles that guarantee respect and protection of human rights, national security and the public interest.
- Promote education and AI communication and quantum computing. Facilitate access to and understanding of information, knowledge and skills related to quantum AI, fostering dialogue and societal participation in the debate and decision-making on quantum AI.
Quantum pact
Spain is one of the countries that is committed to AI and quantum computing, both in the public and private spheres. Among the initiatives and projects that are being carried out, the project stands out Quantum Spain, promoted by the previous Ministerio de Asuntos Económicos y Transformación Digital through the Secretaría de Estado de Digitalización e Inteligencia Artificial (SEDIA) and coordinated by the BSC. It is financed with Next Generation funds from the European Commission’s Recovery Plan for Europe, and is part of the Digital Spain 2026 program and the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (ENIA).
The Temporary Joint Venture (UTE) formed by Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech and GMV completed the first delivery for the installation of the first quantum computer in Spain, as part of Quantum Spain This quantum computer will be based on European technology and will be installed at the BSC, integrated with the new MareNostrum 5 supercomputer.
QM Quantum Computer (Business Wire)
The integration will significantly increase the impact of research and innovation by enabling solutions that complement the capabilities of current supercomputers. The new infrastructure will be available to the research community, companies and public bodies, thus strengthening technological and industrial development in Spain and the creation of highly qualified jobs. The BSC quantum computer will represent an opportunity for Spain in general, and for Catalonia in particular, to position itself as a reference and leader in the field of AI and quantum computing, and to contribute to scientific and technological progress, and to economic and social development.
Additionally, the Government of Spain, within the framework of the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, presented the Quantum Pact, an agreement that promotes collaboration between the different countries of the Union for the development and deployment of quantum technologies.
Quantum transcendence
Quantum AI is a field in full development and expansion, merging two of the most cutting-edge and potentially disruptive technologies of our time. Quantum AI can provide new and effective solutions to problems that are currently difficult or impossible to solve with classical AI, opening up new opportunities and applications in various areas of science, industry and society.
However, quantum AI also brings challenges and risks, both technical and ethical and social, that must be mitigated and regulated. Furthermore, quantum AI is based on the theories of quantum mechanics, which could be wrong or incomplete, and which, therefore, are subject to revisions and possible modifications in the future.
It is therefore necessary to continue researching and experimenting with quantum AI, without neglecting the training, outreach and talent recruitment. Over time, quantum AI could be a powerful and beneficial tool for humanity, but it could also become a waste of resources or a threat.
References
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanreichental/2023/11/20/quantum-artificial-intelligence-is-closer-than-you-think/
- https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/52928/quantum-artificial-intelligence
- https://quantumai.google
- https://research.ibm.com/topics/quantum-machine-learning
- https://www.bsc.es/news/bsc-news/bsc-selected-host-one-the-first-european-quantum-computers
- https://www.meetiqm.com/resources/press-releases/iqm-qpus-for-spanish-quantum-computer/
- https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/european-declaration-quantum-technologies
- https://quantumspain-project.es/qilimanjaro-quantum-tech-y-gmv-superan-la-primera-fase-del-proyecto-quantum-spain-para-construir-el-primer-computador-quantico-espanol/
