If you watch the news at all, you\u2019ll see quantum computing is everywhere, as\u00a0Google researchers are claiming quantum supremacy<\/a>\u00a0for the first time. While we are still a while away from commercially available quantum computers, it does open up the discussion about \u201cthe possible.\u201d<\/p>\n How will industries, like healthcare, be disrupted by this future technology?<\/p>\n Quantum computers differ from classical computers in that they go beyond the traditional \u201czero or one\u201d bit model.\u00a0Quantum bits<\/a>, called qubits, can be both zero, one, or zero and one at the same time. This ability to be in the same state at the same time is called superposition.<\/p>\n Superposition<\/a>, along with\u00a0entanglement<\/a>, allows quantum computers to perform numerous calculations in parallel. In doing so, it creates substantially more computational processing power to solving complex problems.<\/strong><\/p>\n Thanks to technological advances such as cloud computing, we now have more computational power at our fingertips than ever before. These advantages resulted in breakthroughs in natural language processing, image recognition, and machine learning, among other areas.<\/p>\n However, quantum computers will eventually far exceed anything we see today. This advancement will lead to new opportunities and challenges in several industries, including healthcare.<\/p>\n Quantum\u2019s ability to compute at scale will allow clinicians to incorporate a vast number of cross-functional data sets into their patient risk factor models. For instance, we\u2019ll be able to analyze environmental databases to evaluate the effect of pollution on a patient\u2019s health history.<\/p>\n Another way quantum\u2019s compute power creates an advantage is in its ability to process imagery at scale. Analyzing images, such as CT scans, require much more processing power than traditional data sets. With increased compute available, clinicians could easily review CT scans over time and quickly identify changes and anomalies.<\/p>\n Similarly, we\u2019ll be able to accelerate precision medicine. Also, quantum computing will allow us to select clinical trial participants using more reference points, ensuring a better fit between protocol and patient.<\/strong> We can identify targeted chemotherapy protocols quicker, and with more customization, with quantum\u2019s enhanced data processing abilities. And post-treatment, being able to understand where and why a protocol succeeded or failed more accurately, will give clinicians and researchers valuable insight.<\/p>\n Healthcare tends to lag behind other industries in technology adoption. The industry is only beginning to harness Artificial Intelligence, trailing advancements already made in this space by the private sector. Thus, they may also be slow to embrace quantum, causing healthcare innovation to fall behind advancements in other industries.<\/p>\n Other concerns include privacy and ethics. Quantum computing has the potential to give individuals much clearer insights into their future healthcare risks.<\/strong> Patients tend to be receptive to this information when they understand those risks might migrate via preventative medicine. However, when the future prognosis indicates health conditions with grim outlooks, ethical situations arise.<\/p>\n Will the predicted future prognosis impact the patient\u2019s current mental health? What if health insurers or employers use the information to make negative coverage or employment decisions? These are questions circulating for current healthcare technologies, of course. Quantum amplifies the need for a thoughtful approach to predictive medicine.<\/p>\n Because of its advanced processing power, quantum computing can destroy our current encryption practices, making your personal healthcare history vulnerable.<\/p>\nA Bit of Background<\/h2>\n
Healthcare Applications Accelerate with Advanced Quantum Compute Power<\/h2>\n
But There Will Be Challenges, Too<\/h2>\n
We Can’t Forget About Security<\/h2>\n