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Quantum computers are here — but why do we need them and what will they be used for?

Live Science
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Technology companies are pouring billions of dollars into quantum computing, despite the technology still being years away from practical applications.

Building a computer that harnesses the unusual properties of quantum mechanics is an idea that has been in contention since the 1980s .

The most fundamental building block of a quantum computer is the qubit — a unit of quantum information that is comparable to a bit in a classical computer, but with the uncanny ability to represent a complex combination of both 0 and 1 simultaneously.

Given enough qubits, an algorithm invented by mathematician Peter Shor in 1994 could crack the encryption that underpins much of today ’s internet.

Quantum computers also have some less savory uses, such as cracking encryption.

Other applications for quantum computers are, at present, somewhat speculative, said Oliver .