< Agenda

So, Why Do We Need Quantum Computers?

14:30 (30 minutes) · Hall 1B · Talk · Introductory · Engineering

Quantum computing has gone from a scary research topic to a technology attracting a lot of interest from the wider tech industry. But beyond the hype, what problem are we really trying to solve... and what does quantum computing mean for software developers? This talk is an introduction to quantum computing from a software and engineering perspective. We'll look at what we've achieved so far, what quantum programs actually look like, and what it takes to get a quantum program running on a real quantum computer. The aim isn't to predict exactly when quantum computing will become mainstream, but to help developers understand what quantum computing is, why we might need it, where it could be useful, and what role we as software engineers could play in its future. Key takeaways: 1. Understand the basic ideas behind quantum computing without all the complex maths. 2. See how quantum programs differ from conventional programs and how they interact with classical computers. 3. Explore some of the big technical and practical challenges facing quantum computing. 4. Separate some of the potential applications of quantum computing from the buzz surrounding it. 5. Get an insight into the emerging roles for software developers in a future with quantum computing. No prior knowledge of quantum computing is required!