BEYOND THE DIGITAL HORIZON: THE ALLURE OF QUANTUM COMPUTING

Abstract

This study investigated the main challenges, advances, and applications of quantum computing, focusing on the impact in areas such as digital security, artificial intelligence, and materials simulation. The overall objective was to analyze how quantum computing can transform these areas and what technical and theoretical obstacles need to be overcome for large-scale implementation. The research adopted a qualitative approach, being of a bibliographic nature, with analysis of recent articles, books and dissertations that address quantum computing and its possible applications. The results revealed that quantum computing has great potential to revolutionize digital security by offering new forms of encryption that are resistant to attacks from classical computers. In addition, it demonstrated that quantum computing can accelerate machine learning and optimization algorithms in artificial intelligence. Regarding the physics of materials, the observed advances can boost the discovery of new materials and drugs, with significant applications in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. However, technical challenges such as qubit stability, quantum error correction, and system scalability still need to be overcome. The final considerations pointed out that quantum computing has great transformative potential, but that studies are needed, especially with regard to the development of hardware, software and integration with other emerging technologies.