HONOLULU (KHON2) — Quantum computing is a new type of computing that is very different from the regular computers we use today.

Regular computers, like the ones in phones, laptops or video game consoles, use what is called bits to store our information. The bits our computers use to process information are in the binary forms of either a 0 or a 1. Basically, you can understand it like a light switch; it’s either off (0) or on (1).

Quantum computers, on the other hand, use non-binary units that are called quantum bits, also known as qubits. Qubits are a special creation because they can be both a 0 and a 1 at the same time. That is due to a unique property in quantum physics known as superposition.

This ability to exist and operate in multiple states at once makes quantum computers a much more powerful tool than our traditional binary-based computers.

But there’s much more to this story.

Quantum computers also utilize another property known as entanglement. Entanglement allows qubits to be linked together in ways that have many more avenues to solve complex problems, making them much faster than regular computers that trudge along using the binary system.

How will quantum computing be used in the future?

Quantum computing has the potential to change many areas of science, medicine, technology and research.

1. Medicine: Quantum computers have the potential to help discover new medications and treatments due to their simulation abilities to examine how molecules work. Working these types of multi-layered research is something that traditional computers struggle to do.

2. Cryptography: Right now, we use fairly advanced encryption protocols to manage many of our online systems containing our information, like credit card details or passwords. Quantum computers can break or otherwise disrupt our current encryption systems; but they could also have the abilities to create new, more secure encryption methods that are nearly impossible to hack except by other quantum computers.

3. Artificial Intelligence (AI): Because quantum computing processes data immensely more quickly than the binary system we use, it is believed that quantum computing is the next step in developing AI that process even larger amounts of data more efficiently.

4. Climate change: By simulating complex climate models, quantum computers have the potential to assist scientists better understand how climate change works, create better simulations to predict outcomes and find solutions to slow it down.

How is quantum computing different from traditional computing?

5. Speed and power: Traditional computers process information step by step, one bit at a time because we are set in a binary system. Quantum computers utilize superposition and entanglement capabilities that supersede the drudgery of the binary 101010101010. This exciting non-binary position potentially makes quantum computers much faster and more powerful for solving certain types of problems.

6. More difficult to build: Building a quantum computer is much more difficult than building a regular computer because quantum computers need to be kept at super cold temperatures (colder than outer space). They also require special equipment to prevent them from making errors, errors that are difficult for humans to find. This makes quantum computers very expensive and very challenging to create.

7. Limited use today: Right now, a quantum computing system is not ready to replace regular binary computing systems. And, since they are only useful for certain very complex problems, we’ll be seeing quantum computers in places like research labs, for now….

Quantum computing is an exciting and powerful new technology that has the potential to change our world.

While quantum computers are still in the experimental and research stages, they have the potential to bring big impacts on fields like military, astronomy, space and ocean exploration, pharmaceuticals, cryptography and artificial intelligence.