This year has been a defining one for quantum computing and its applications. The stories covered by Enter Quantum in 2022 fell under a number of broad themes.

This third retrospective looks at two key steps towards quantum commercialization: early use cases demonstrating value and clearer communication.

Early Use Cases

Quantum computing is finding applications in many sectors. Here are a selection of case studies Enter Quantum reported in 2022.

Quantum computing has demonstrated clear advantages over classical computing alone for constructing new molecules for novel medication, chemicals and materials. In 2022, chip giant Nvidia has thrown its hat in the quantum ring with a toolkit designed for drug discovery.

Quantum software company Quantinuum developed tools for chemists to make it easier for computational chemists to experiment with a wide range of quantum algorithms on today’s quantum computers. And Quantum startup Algorithmiq began work with Brigham and Women’s Hospital to establish a new field of quantum network medicine.

Quantum computing looks set to play a role in future vehicle design. Quantum Computing Inc. worked with BMW to solve its sensor placement problem, but may not be immediately incorporated into car design. However, Hyundai and IonQ are looking to quantum to solve complex self-driving car problems.

Related:Top Quantum Stories of 2022: Part 4

Quantum’s optimization ability has also been tapped for any number of financial services applications. Mentioning just two, Moody’s credit rating agency has established a quantum analytics group tasked with leveraging quantum computing within the financial services industry.

And financial services multinational JP Morgan has begun experimenting with quantum computing to gain a competitive edge in automated trading and risk management.  

The environment and sustainability are significant targets for quantum projects, and the UN is looking to forecast extreme weather. And the weather is just one of the complex, interconnected factors QCI will take into account with its drone flight path program.

Explaining Quantum Computing

By far the most-read stories on Enter Quantum are those that explain quantum computing in layman’s terms.

The kinds of questions people are asking now, for example, are:

How can quantum computing scale?

How does quantum computing relate to other quantum fields, like quantum key distribution?

And last but not least, how does a quantum computer actually work? This article is by far Enter Quantum’s most read, in no small part due to IBM’s quantum evangelist Richard Hopkins’ clear explanation.

Looking Ahead to 2023

Quantum computing is getting to a stage like the early days of enterprise then desktop computing went through, where end users don’t necessarily need to know what’s under the hood, but instead what they need to make quantum computing work for them.

We don’t know exactly what’s coming for quantum computing in 2023 but based on what’s happened this year we have a clearer idea than ever before. One thing is for certain, it’s going to be an exciting ride.

To keep up to date with what’s next, be sure to sign up for the Enter Quantum newsletter. And if you’re working on any quantum projects in 2023, be sure to get in touch.