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Despite significant progress and numerous announcements, practical quantum computers remain distant, potentially requiring another 5 to 20 years—or possibly never—to develop a breakthrough application that outperforms classical computing. Nonetheless, quantum-inspired techniques are already delivering impressive immediate results. Advancing quantum technologies demands not only well-funded research but also cultural awareness and interdisciplinary skills spanning engineering, materials science, biomedicine, and artificial intelligence (AI). Central to this is adopting “quantum thinking,” a mindset that fosters disruptive innovation by approaching problems from fundamentally new perspectives.
Quantum computing combined with AI holds transformative potential across industries, from medicine and logistics to finance and space exploration, as long as expectations remain realistic. Early real-world applications, such as Volkswagen’s use of quantum computing for traffic optimization and factory efficiency, highlight this potential. Experts advocate for a hybrid approach blending quantum and classical computing to tackle complex challenges. The emergence of quantum-inspired algorithms and the scalability of quantum technologies are fueling what has been called a “silent revolution,” reshaping scientific research and industrial processes. Over the next two decades, collaboration among governments, companies, and research centers will drive the maturation of quantum technologies, supported by education, investment, and regulatory frameworks. Ultimately, embracing quantum thinking and fostering quantum curiosity at all organizational levels will be crucial to harnessing this transformative wave before it disrupts industries and leaves unprepared players behind.
Innovation implies disruption, how does this 'quantum thinking' help companies when it comes to innovating in their activities?
Despite the many announcements and scientific publications, the Quantum computer is not yet that close. It could take approximately another ten years until the arrival of that killer application capable of giving quantum computing a competitive advantage over classical computing. But the years could be as many as 20, or maybe just five, or the goal may never be reached. However, using quantum inspired approaches, solutions can already be developed that deliver amazing results immediately.
In addition to strengthening research with well-managed funding and resources, there is a need to create cultural awareness about quantum technologies. The training will determine the real impact of these technologies, which also require skills in engineering, materials science, biomedicine, and artificial intelligence (AI). But above all, we need a change in our thinking.
The so-called ‘quantum thinking’ makes it possible to create realities and promote disruptive innovation. From a technical and technological point of view, the Quantum Computing (QC), combined with AI, has the potential to revolutionize all industrial, scientific, and socioeconomic processes, as long as exaggerated promises are separated from realities. Organizations must be enabled both to disseminate this cultural challenge and to identify insoluble problems (or with inefficient solutions) with a traditional approach but that could be addressed with a quantum perspective.
In 2019, Volkswagen, in collaboration with D-Wave, carried out a real-time traffic routing trial based on quantum computing, which allowed Lisbon’s bus system to minimize passenger waiting times, avoiding traffic jams and speeding up traffic. At the same time, in the factory, in the paint department, where each body requires a different type of base depending on the final color of the vehicle, it was possible to optimize the process thanks to the use of QC solutions.
In particular, the convergence between quantum technologies and artificial intelligence creates a scenario conducive to disruption. Brian Lenahan, Founder and President of the Quantum Strategy Institute, in its speech during the Future Trends Forum of the Bankinter Innovation Foundation on Quantum Computing stressed the convenience of adopting this hybrid approach that combines quantum and traditional computing to address crucial challenges in various sectors.
The expert also emphasized the relevance of people, suggesting that an attitude of “quantum curiosity” should be encouraged at all levels of organizations. This means approaching problems from a quantum perspective, that is, disruptive, and reflects the words of Albert Einstein: “we cannot solve problems with the same kind of thinking that we used when we created them“.
According to the experts who animated the Future Trends Forum, the first innovations hand in hand with quantum technologies and AI are taking place in the design of encryption algorithms and in the acceleration of scientific processes designed to establish how quantum computers should behave. In the medium and long term, change will disrupt all areas: from medicine to logistics, including the design of new molecules and materials. But also finance, education, transport or space exploration.
According to Lenahan, it is worth highlighting the progress in the scalability of quantum technologies and the importance of designing new algorithms for QC + AI. In fact, the combination of artificial intelligence and quantum technologies is a ‘silent revolution‘, which opens a new horizon in the way of thinking of those who are set out to seek new specific solutions to complex problems. We are thus witnessing the creation of new scientific approaches and algorithms, according to a quantum-inspired attitude.
48% of IT leaders surveyed in the study EY’s 2022 Quantum Readiness Survey believes quantum computing will play an important role in its sectors by 2025. Still, it is a quiet revolution because current advances are brewing at the experimental and industrial level, setting the stage for a quantum revolution that will be truly evident only in the next twenty years.
According to the projections of the Future Trends Forum, a staggered evolution is taking shape where public and private, companies and research centers will have to collaborate to exploit their maximum potential. We are already witnessing the creation of quantum centers of excellence by European governments, with the implementation of bootcamps in Quantum + AI to boost quantum talent.
This will be followed by an investment phase in startups and a consequent escalation of these technologies by large companies. The affirmation of quantum engineering as a new discipline and the integration of these concepts in the field of education will favour a generalisation of the upskilling and reskilling processes, necessary to train expert professionals.
Finally, a collective awareness of quantum technologies, the birth of vertical ecosystems for customized solutions by industrial sectors will mark the definitive affirmation of ‘quantum thinking‘. Of course, there will be no shortage of inevitable ethical implications and the need for a regulatory framework.
This pioneering quantum-inspired curiosity is preparing the revolution, but still imperceptibly to the general public. When we are truly able to harness its full potential, progress will be exponential, with the risk of knocking out those who do not tune in to change in time.
