WSJ Tech News Briefing: What Could Quantum Computing Actually Do?

Release Date: February 25, 2025

Introduction

In the February 25th episode of the Wall Street Journal’s "Tech News Briefing," host Charlotte Gartenberg delves into the burgeoning field of quantum computing. Following significant announcements from tech giants like Microsoft and Google, which highlighted breakthroughs in quantum chip design and the creation of new states of matter, quantum computing has captured the attention of both researchers and investors alike. To unpack the complexities and potential of this revolutionary technology, Gartenberg invites WSJ reporter Asa Fitch to provide an in-depth exploration of quantum computing’s capabilities and future implications.

Understanding Quantum Computing

Gartenberg opens the discussion by seeking a foundational understanding of quantum computers. Asa Fitch responds by contrasting quantum computers with classical computers:

"A quantum computer uses something called a qubit, and a qubit is a bit different from a bit. It's not a regular on-off switch. It can have an on state or an off state, but it can be sort of a mixture of both of those things at the same time, which creates some interesting features." (01:27)

Fitch elaborates that this ability allows quantum computers to process and simulate vast amounts of information simultaneously, enabling them to perform complex calculations at unprecedented speeds. He uses an analogy to illustrate this capability:

"Think of it as like you're trying to unlock a door and you need to find the right combination or whatever. And if you have a system that could try a bunch of things at the same time, you'd get there faster than if you had to go through every single iteration." (02:30)

Key Players in Quantum Computing

When asked about other companies investing in quantum technology, Fitch highlights both established and emerging players:

"IBM has explored quantum for a very long time. You have a bunch of smaller companies like IonQ, D-Wave, etc., that have come up in recent years." (02:36)

These companies are driven by the promise of quantum computing to revolutionize fields such as drug discovery, complex simulations, and energy storage solutions. The potential to create better batteries or discover new drugs underscores the broad applicability and transformative potential of quantum technology.

Quantum vs. Classical Supercomputers

Gartenberg probes the distinctive advantages of quantum computers over traditional supercomputers. Fitch cites drug discovery as a prime example:

"One of the big ones is drug discovery. You're trying to figure out combinations of proteins and other things that result in drugs that cure serious diseases... The promise with quantum is that it could just take much less time to figure out these simulations to solve these problems and thus to create new drugs." (03:52)

He references Google's staggering comparison of computational speeds:

"Last year Google said it took 24 septillion years for a regular computer to solve an equation that took their quantum computer five minutes or something like that to solve." (03:53)

This comparison underscores the immense computational power that quantum computers could harness, vastly outpacing current capabilities.

Microsoft’s Breakthrough: A New State of Matter

A significant portion of the episode centers on Microsoft's recent announcement regarding the creation of a quantum chip that utilizes a novel state of matter. Gartenberg seeks clarity on this development:

"Microsoft researchers said they created a chip that leverages a new state of matter, not a liquid, a solid, or a gas. Fill me in on this, because I don't quite understand." (05:14)

Fitch explains that Microsoft claims to have developed a "topological superconductor," a material that could potentially allow for the scaling up of qubits to unprecedented numbers:

"They were talking about a million, potentially a billion qubits on a single chip, which would be absolutely unheard of." (05:26)

However, Fitch tempers expectations by noting skepticism within the scientific community:

"There's a lot of skepticism about this. If it pans out, it could be big for quantum going forward." (05:53)

He emphasizes that while the research is promising, transitioning from a scientific breakthrough to a commercially viable product remains a significant hurdle.

Evaluating the Evidence and Viability

Gartenberg inquires about the evidence supporting Microsoft's claims. Fitch points to the publication of their research in the prestigious journal Nature but acknowledges ongoing debates among physicists:

"Some physicists have questioned the viability of these claims... How do you take that science project and make it a commercially viable quantum computer that anybody off the street could use? That's the real question." (06:16)

This highlights the challenges of moving from experimental research to practical, widespread applications.

Potential Risks of Quantum Computing

The conversation shifts to the implications of widespread quantum computing adoption. Fitch identifies a primary concern related to cybersecurity:

"A very good quantum computer could potentially crack a lot of today's encryption, which would be bad for people who want to encrypt data and privacy." (08:12)

However, he offers a silver lining:

"The good news there is that people are well aware of this problem and there's still a lot of time to solve the problem before it really becomes an issue. There's a lot of preparation going on to develop encryption methods that are, quote, unquote, quantum proof." (08:12)

This reassures listeners that proactive measures are being taken to mitigate potential threats posed by quantum computing advancements.

Future Prospects and Business Impact

Gartenberg asks Fitch to speculate on when quantum computing might start delivering tangible business benefits. Fitch presents a spectrum of opinions:

"For quantum to become as ubiquitous as regular computing is, it might never happen. But for it to become a sort of useful scientific tool that people use in business... on the optimistic side, people would say in the next several years. And then if you ask the pessimists, they'd say the next couple of decades." (08:50)

He acknowledges the rapid development of quantum technologies while also noting the substantial journey ahead before achieving widespread utility.

Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, Gartenberg summarizes the discussion, emphasizing the early yet promising stages of quantum computing. While breakthroughs like Microsoft’s new quantum chip signify important strides, experts like Asa Fitch caution that the technology is still in its nascent phase, with commercial viability and widespread application possibly years away. Nonetheless, the potential for quantum computing to revolutionize industries—from pharmaceuticals to cybersecurity—keeps it at the forefront of technological innovation and investment.

Notable Quotes

• Asa Fitch on Quantum Bits:

  "A quantum computer uses something called a qubit, and a qubit is a bit different from a bit. It's not a regular on-off switch. It can have an on state or an off state, but it can be sort of a mixture of both of those things at the same time, which creates some interesting features." (01:27)

• Asa Fitch on Quantum Advantage:

  "Last year Google said it took 24 septillion years for a regular computer to solve an equation that took their quantum computer five minutes or something like that to solve." (03:53)

• Asa Fitch on Microsoft's Quantum Chip:

  "They were talking about a million, potentially a billion qubits on a single chip, which would be absolutely unheard of." (05:26)

• Asa Fitch on Quantum Threats and Solutions:

  "The good news there is that people are well aware of this problem and there's still a lot of time to solve the problem before it really becomes an issue." (08:12)

Production Credits

Today's summary was produced based on the transcript provided by Charlotte Gartenberg and WSJ reporter Asa Fitch. The original episode was produced by Jess Jupiter with supervising producer Kathryn Millsop.