The potential of quantum computing is immense. Its ability to predict outcomes means the world will be a more controllable place, destined to have far-reaching benefits, impacting us all in many positive ways. 

From addressing climate change and global agriculture, to vaccine research and financial modelling… It’s hard to think of an industry – or global crisis – that wouldn’t see a marked improvement. 

Although it could be the answer to many of the challenges facing the world, quantum computing is not widely accessible. There simply isn’t enough computer power available at the moment for us to embrace its full potential. Quantum computing requires access to qubits (short for ‘quantum bits’). These are units of information in quantum computing – and this technology needs time to develop.

But this advanced computing power will arrive one day soon. And when it does, we have to be ready with people trained to know how to use it. This is why Intel Quantum Software Development Kit (SDK) is so important. 

Just like the real thing, and available now

Available as part of the Intel DevCloud, Intel Quantum SDK is a simulated full quantum computing stack, offering tech leaders a fully customizable development environment. It enables them to create code and run quantum computing simulations and deployments, and formulate quantum computing algorithms, all in a quantum computing environment but without the need for a quantum computer. 

Put simply, Intel Quantum SDK allows us to explore the Quantum application possibilities of tomorrow, on the conventional, available hardware of today.

The belief is that when large-scale commercial quantum hardware does eventually become more available, there will be a community of experts trained on the Intel DevCloud tools ready to hit the ground running.

Intel Quantum SDK in action

Yaknan John Gambo enrolled into the Deggendorf Institute of Technology to study quantum computing, in particular fluid dynamics. This is the study of how gases and fluid flow at a sub particle level, and how it could be applied to ocean simulations, for example, weather patterns, or the development of fusion energy. (Most recently, fluid dynamics informed the boundaries for social distancing during the COVID pandemic.)

As a developer, he found the Intel Quantum SDK invaluable in his work. It gave him greater access to the necessary qubits, and offered extra flexibility by running algorithms more efficiently and effectively. What really makes Intel Quantum SDK so accessible, however, is that it has been designed so that anyone with an understanding of C++ can use it. 

“We worked with previous tools, but it was a challenge,” explains Yakan. “Then Intel released its Quantum SDK, and it gave us greater visibility of qubits. It helped us to better understand quantum computing. It even came with tutorials.” 

As people are still trying to understand the boundaries and capabilities of quantum computing, technologies like Intel Quantum SDK has opened the door to what might be achievable. Yakan discovered that he could work at a level closer to quantum computing hardware for a better resource utilization.

Now graduated, Yaknan works at Leibniz Quantum Computing Center near Munich as a Quantum Researcher. He’s committed to being part of the quantum computing journey – and how it could improve our lives.

The next step in computing

For Professor Rui Li, from Deggendorf Institute of Technology, Intel Quantum SDK is the perfect way for his students to ready themselves for a quantum world. “It is a great tool to push the technology and to push the knowledge forward,” he said. “This way we can make our world, our technology, and our future a better place.”

Professor Helena Liebelt, also from Deggendorf Institute of Technology, echoes Yaknan’s and her colleague’s thoughts. With binary computing having reached its potential, quantum computing is the next step in the technological evolution. Which is why she is proud to have founded a master’s degree in quantum computing at the university – the very first course of its type anywhere in Germany.

Professor Liebelt believes Intel Quantum SDK is a vital tool in the development of the next generation of quantum computing experts like Yaknan. She explains: “The world is changing. Intel Quantum SDK gives you the ability to work in quantum without the need to have access to a quantum computer.” Or be a quantum computer expert for that matter. All people need are simple, basic programming skills. 

The future starts now

We are just at the beginning of quantum computing. Fast forward 15 years or so, once the technology has caught up, and we’ll be able to see the true power and possibilities of quantum computing. And technology such as Intel Quantum SDK through the Intel DevCloud will help us be ready to harness it for the benefit of humankind.  As Professor Rui Li put it: “We want to give people hope.”