Beyond the Buzz: Strategic Paths for Enabling Useful NISQ Applications
134 浏览There is much debate on whether quantum computing on current NISQ devices,
consisting of noisy hundred qubits and requiring a non-negligible usage of classical
computing as part of the algorithms, has utility and will ever offer advantages for
scientific and industrial applications with respect to traditional computing. In this
position paper, we argue that while real-world NISQ quantum applications have yet to
surpass their classical counterparts, strategic approaches can be used to facilitate
advancements in both industrial and scientific applications. We have identified three
key strategies to guide NISQ computing towards practical and useful implementations.
Firstly, prioritizing the identification of a "killer app" is a key point. An application
demonstrating the distinctive capabilities of NISQ devices can catalyze broader
development. We suggest focusing on applications that are inherently quantum, e.g.,
pointing towards quantum chemistry and material science as promising domains.
These fields hold the potential to exhibit benefits, setting benchmarks for other
applications to follow. Secondly, integrating AI and deep-learning methods into NISQ
computing is a promising approach. Examples such as quantum Physics-Informed
Neural Networks and Differentiable Quantum Circuits (DQC) demonstrate the synergy
between quantum computing and AI. Lastly, recognizing the interdisciplinary nature
of NISQ computing, we advocate for a co-design approach. Achieving synergy between
classical and quantum computing necessitates an effort in co-designing quantum
applications, algorithms, and programming environments, and the integration of HPC
with quantum hardware. The interoperability of these components is crucial for
enabling the full potential of NISQ computing. In conclusion, through the usage of
these three approaches, we argue that NISQ computing can surpass current limitations
and evolve into a valuable tool for scientific and industrial applications. This requires
an approach that integrates domainspecific killer apps, harnesses the power of
quantum-enhanced AI, and embraces a collaborative co-design methodology.
Strategic pathways towards realizing apractical quantum advantage using NISQ devices
In this position paper, we have outlined thestate-of-the art of NISQ devices,
challenges, and their future prospects.Although it looks like a herculean task to build
a full-fledged and faulttolerant quantum computer, we should not overlook the
advancement that has beendone so far. From the initial idea formulated by Feynman
in the 80's, Shor's algorithm forfactoring prime numbers with the superpolynomial
speedup in the 90's, at present we haveworking quantum computers which have
shown quantum supremacy and are availableto be remotely accessed by researchers
for various experiments and furtherdevelopment . While the race towards fault
tolerant quantum computingcontinues, we strongly advocate for parallel research
towards practical quantumadvantages using NISQ devices. In this regard, particular
effort needs to bededicated to singling out a killer application; such is likely to be
presentwithin the field of quantum chemistry. These applications, which are seriously
limited by the computational resources required to simulate them, can be theclass of
problems that might benefit from NISQ era computers. Merging AI withquantum
computing techniques is another viable path towards achieving practicalquantum
advantage. While classical machine learning has already a plethora ofapplications,
quantum machine learning techniques have the potential to yieldsubstantial
optimization given their enhanced expressivity.
