As we have already observed, quantum computing is based on quantum mechanics — superposition, entanglement, numerical and statistical algorithms and so on. There are quantum algorithms such as Simon’s, Grover’s, Shor’s. Deutsch-Jozsa and Quantum Phase Estimation. Those who are interested in quantum computing must learn the theory and concepts first and quantum computer programming next. The leading companies make available platforms/SDKs to give a start. Mostly quantum software development languages are open source, e.g. Qiskit from IBM. Qiskit is based on python, and with it we can work at the level of circuits, pulses and algorithms. Qiskit is a game changer. It is useful to have the skills.

Currently, India has only a few people who have expertise in quantum computing. India needs to upskill engineers to get this expertise.

Microsoft and AWS have platforms similar to IBM ready to be leveraged.

Certain simulations, searches, ML and optimisation calculations were intractable previously, which can now be tackled easily and quickly with quantum computing. Real life problems from these areas are converted into quantum circuits to solve the problems. The problems are solved with real data. Both a classical solution and quantum solution can be arrived it, and can be compared.

A learner in this field must have an aptitude for math and problem solving. He should be proficient in quantum logical circuits and logical-physical architecture. It is necessary to map a classical AI/ML app quantum architecture or circuits.

Certain expertise of domain, say pharmaceuticals for new drug discovery, is an added advantage.

We cannot work on quantum computers directly. We have to access them via the clouds. There are companies like Boson which work in this area.