Quantum Computing in Health

The world of technology is abuzz with two acronyms: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Quantum Computing. Earlier this month, the Australian Federal Gov & Queensland Gov made a near $1B commitment to invest in this tech; so what does it mean for healthcare?

Let's start by understanding what a Quantum Computer is

I'm not a scientist and I'm still getting my head around this concept: the easiest way to understand this technology is that is promises to solve super hard problems really fast. It's like having a million friends all playing with the toys at once, figuring out puzzles way faster than you ever could solo.

Traditional technology like our laptops or phones or Excel spreadsheets, have relied on on "bits" (either 0 or 1). Quantum computers harness the bizarre world of quantum mechanics; they utilise "qubits" (cute, hey?). Qubits can be 0, 1, or both simultaneously – a phenomenon known as superposition. This allows them to perform calculations in parallel, tackling problems that would take traditional computers years, in a fraction of a second.

AI vs Quantum Computing: Partners, Not Rivals

While AI excels at learning from data and making predictions, it's limited by the processing power of traditional computers. Quantum computers, on the other hand, can tackle problems that are fundamentally incompatible with how classical computers work. Think of them as specialised tools, working alongside AI to achieve results that we've never seen before. I'm pretty excited about this and its applications in healthcare - there are many already, and there will be more!

Quantum Computing in Healthcare

The implications for healthcare and pharma are staggering. Here are a few examples:

• Drug Discovery: Simulating complex molecules is a nightmare for traditional computers. Quantum computers could accelerate drug discovery by accurately modeling interactions between drugs and proteins, leading to faster development of life-saving treatments. This can typically take decades but with this tech, it could theoretically take minutes. I'm curious about what patenting for therapeutics will look like with this tech but that's for another time.
  

• Precision Medicine: Quantum computers could analyze a patient's unique genetic makeup and medical history to predict how they might respond to specific treatment; a specific therapeutic could also be developed to treat (or cure??) a person.

• Disease Outbreaks and Prevention: Quantum computers could analyse vast datasets on disease outbreaks, travel patterns, and environmental factors to predict and prevent future outbreaks. This could help public health officials allocate resources more effectively and save lives.

• Chronic Disease Management: Population health data could be leveraged to identify risk factors for chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. This could lead to earlier interventions and improved population health outcomes.

• Resource Optimisation: There's a lot of technology out there that can currently do this but Quantum computer will take this to the next level by analysing data on patient needs (likely at a population and community level), hospital and primary care capacity, and geographic distribution. This could lead to more efficient use of healthcare resources and improved access to care for everyone.

The Road Ahead: Challenges and Excitement

Quantum computing is still in its early stages and I can't say I fully understand it but I'm curious about it and the impact it will have on, well, everything. Building and maintaining these machines is complex and expensive. However, research is progressing rapidly, with companies and governments investing heavily in this technology.

The Takeaway: A Brighter Future for Health

The synergy between AI and quantum computing presents a golden opportunity to revolutionise and perhaps even democratise healthcare across the globe - yes, I'm a dreamer! The potential to improve both individual and population health is undeniable and we've only scratched the surface of what's possible. While challenges remain, the future of healthcare is undoubtedly quantum-powered, and the possibilities are as exciting as they are life-changing.