Quantum Computers and Why the Government Wants One

Computers are only getting faster as time goes on, but what if there was a new kind of computer that changed the game forever?

Researchers across the globe are racing against each other to create a functional “quantum computer,” theorized to be several times faster than what is currently the fastest computer in the world. Even right here at home, Chattanooga will soon have an Institute for Quantum Innovation of its very own. While researchers are pouring so many resources into this technology, quantum computing is still in its infancy.

But why are so many governments and organizations around the world desperate to get their hands on a quantum computer?

To simplify the situation, imagine the password that guards your personal information is locked in a safe. A traditional computer would take decades to break into the safe, but a quantum computer would only take a few hours. Once someone has access to that kind of technology, every password on Earth would immediately be compromised.

This future certainly sounds scary, but it’s always important to keep an eye on and be prepared for the ways rapidly-improving technology could affect our daily lives.