Yojana Magazine May 2023 - 3 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


38 May 2023
uantum computing differs from 
traditional computing, which uses 
‘bits’—binary digits of 0s and 1s — 
to represent information. However, 
quantum computing uses quantum bits, or ‘qubits’ , 
which can exist in multiple states simultaneously, 
instead of just two states (i.e., 0 and 1). This property 
of qubits, known as ‘superposition’ allows quantum 
computers to perform many computational 
calculations orders of magnitude faster than 
classical computing. Further, quantum computing 
also borrows inspiration from another property 
of quantum mechanics called entanglement, 
wherein two qubits could be connected in such 
a way that the state of one qubit intrinsically 
affects the state of the other qubit. As quantum 
computing moves steadily towards real-world 
Q
applications, it continues to be a thriving area for 
interdisciplinary research and booming scholarly 
outputs, as well as new fundamental discoveries 
in physics. In 2012, Serge Haroche and David 
Wineland were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics 
for their ground-breaking experimental methods 
that enable the measurement and manipulation 
of individual quantum systems. Their work has 
profound implications for quantum information 
and quantum computing. 
Nations and industries are slowly and steadily 
gearing up to leverage the quantum computing wave 
through strategic collaborations and investments in 
research and innovation. This wave may transform 
the entire technology ecosystem; indeed, one that 
may fundamentally transform society, culture, and 
the economy.
prof arpaN Kumar Kar
prof yogesh K dwivedi the author is a Chair Professor at the department of Management Studies, indian institute of technology delhi, india.  
email: arpankar@iitd.ac.in
the author is a Professor of digital Marketing and innovation and director of digital futures for Sustainable Business & Society 
research Group at the School of Management, Swansea University, UK. email: y.k.dwivedi@swansea.ac.uk
QuaNTuM CoMPuTINg
TRaNSfoRMINg TeChNoL ogy
Page 2


38 May 2023
uantum computing differs from 
traditional computing, which uses 
‘bits’—binary digits of 0s and 1s — 
to represent information. However, 
quantum computing uses quantum bits, or ‘qubits’ , 
which can exist in multiple states simultaneously, 
instead of just two states (i.e., 0 and 1). This property 
of qubits, known as ‘superposition’ allows quantum 
computers to perform many computational 
calculations orders of magnitude faster than 
classical computing. Further, quantum computing 
also borrows inspiration from another property 
of quantum mechanics called entanglement, 
wherein two qubits could be connected in such 
a way that the state of one qubit intrinsically 
affects the state of the other qubit. As quantum 
computing moves steadily towards real-world 
Q
applications, it continues to be a thriving area for 
interdisciplinary research and booming scholarly 
outputs, as well as new fundamental discoveries 
in physics. In 2012, Serge Haroche and David 
Wineland were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics 
for their ground-breaking experimental methods 
that enable the measurement and manipulation 
of individual quantum systems. Their work has 
profound implications for quantum information 
and quantum computing. 
Nations and industries are slowly and steadily 
gearing up to leverage the quantum computing wave 
through strategic collaborations and investments in 
research and innovation. This wave may transform 
the entire technology ecosystem; indeed, one that 
may fundamentally transform society, culture, and 
the economy.
prof arpaN Kumar Kar
prof yogesh K dwivedi the author is a Chair Professor at the department of Management Studies, indian institute of technology delhi, india.  
email: arpankar@iitd.ac.in
the author is a Professor of digital Marketing and innovation and director of digital futures for Sustainable Business & Society 
research Group at the School of Management, Swansea University, UK. email: y.k.dwivedi@swansea.ac.uk
QuaNTuM CoMPuTINg
TRaNSfoRMINg TeChNoL ogy
39 May 2023
Quantum computing is still a relatively 
young domain, and while practical quantum 
computers are now commercially available, they 
are currently limited to performing very specific 
types of calculations. However, researchers believe 
that quantum computers have the potential to 
revolutionise fields such as data sciences, artificial 
intelligence, and decision sciences. We attempt to 
deliberate on the following important elements of 
quantum computing evolution:
1. How would the evolution of quantum computing 
impact the nation and society?
2. How can policy interventions be planned now to 
ride the wave of quantum computing as the field 
matures?
The subsequent sections would attempt to 
address these questions stage-wise. First, we discuss 
the impact of quantum computing; then, we discuss 
the implications for policymakers, and finally, we 
conclude the article. 
impact of Quantum c omputing
Given India’s growing capabilities in the space of 
information technology (IT) and IT-enabled services, 
including technology consulting capabilities, we 
foresee that the future of quantum computing is 
going to drastically revolutionise the skill needs 
and capabilities of the emerging skill force, which 
is gradually gearing up in the space of data science, 
artificial intelligence, machine learning, and decision 
sciences. Here are a few areas where the impact of 
quantum computing is likely to be felt: 
Faster data analysis in industrial data science 
applications: Quantum computers can perform 
certain types of calculations significantly faster 
than classical computing logic. As these types of 
computations increase in scope and scale, this could 
enable faster data analysis for business problems 
in the era of big data, particularly for large datasets 
created with high velocity.
improved machine learning outcomes: 
Machine learning algorithms are increasingly being 
used for predictive capabilities and enhanced  
data-driven decision-making. In the era of cognitive 
computing, these algorithms may focus on complex 
data types like images and videos for solving business 
and social problems through areas like computer 
vision. Quantum computers could potentially 
improve machine learning by enabling more efficient 
optimisation of these algorithms so that computer 
vision capabilities become more efficient, accurate, 
and fast. Further, in applications of generative 
artificial intelligence, quantum computing could 
potentially have better recommendations since it 
Quantum computing is an advanced area where research and development 
are still at a nascent stage. However , this presents an opportunity for India 
to establish well-funded research Centres of Excellence in the leading 
technological institutions. Long-term schemes of the Department of Science 
and T echnology could possibly be introduced whereby strategic infrastructure 
and manpower training projects can be funded in the established technology 
engineering institutions. This would need to cover both hardware and 
software to further develop a homegrown quantum technology industry .
Page 3


38 May 2023
uantum computing differs from 
traditional computing, which uses 
‘bits’—binary digits of 0s and 1s — 
to represent information. However, 
quantum computing uses quantum bits, or ‘qubits’ , 
which can exist in multiple states simultaneously, 
instead of just two states (i.e., 0 and 1). This property 
of qubits, known as ‘superposition’ allows quantum 
computers to perform many computational 
calculations orders of magnitude faster than 
classical computing. Further, quantum computing 
also borrows inspiration from another property 
of quantum mechanics called entanglement, 
wherein two qubits could be connected in such 
a way that the state of one qubit intrinsically 
affects the state of the other qubit. As quantum 
computing moves steadily towards real-world 
Q
applications, it continues to be a thriving area for 
interdisciplinary research and booming scholarly 
outputs, as well as new fundamental discoveries 
in physics. In 2012, Serge Haroche and David 
Wineland were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics 
for their ground-breaking experimental methods 
that enable the measurement and manipulation 
of individual quantum systems. Their work has 
profound implications for quantum information 
and quantum computing. 
Nations and industries are slowly and steadily 
gearing up to leverage the quantum computing wave 
through strategic collaborations and investments in 
research and innovation. This wave may transform 
the entire technology ecosystem; indeed, one that 
may fundamentally transform society, culture, and 
the economy.
prof arpaN Kumar Kar
prof yogesh K dwivedi the author is a Chair Professor at the department of Management Studies, indian institute of technology delhi, india.  
email: arpankar@iitd.ac.in
the author is a Professor of digital Marketing and innovation and director of digital futures for Sustainable Business & Society 
research Group at the School of Management, Swansea University, UK. email: y.k.dwivedi@swansea.ac.uk
QuaNTuM CoMPuTINg
TRaNSfoRMINg TeChNoL ogy
39 May 2023
Quantum computing is still a relatively 
young domain, and while practical quantum 
computers are now commercially available, they 
are currently limited to performing very specific 
types of calculations. However, researchers believe 
that quantum computers have the potential to 
revolutionise fields such as data sciences, artificial 
intelligence, and decision sciences. We attempt to 
deliberate on the following important elements of 
quantum computing evolution:
1. How would the evolution of quantum computing 
impact the nation and society?
2. How can policy interventions be planned now to 
ride the wave of quantum computing as the field 
matures?
The subsequent sections would attempt to 
address these questions stage-wise. First, we discuss 
the impact of quantum computing; then, we discuss 
the implications for policymakers, and finally, we 
conclude the article. 
impact of Quantum c omputing
Given India’s growing capabilities in the space of 
information technology (IT) and IT-enabled services, 
including technology consulting capabilities, we 
foresee that the future of quantum computing is 
going to drastically revolutionise the skill needs 
and capabilities of the emerging skill force, which 
is gradually gearing up in the space of data science, 
artificial intelligence, machine learning, and decision 
sciences. Here are a few areas where the impact of 
quantum computing is likely to be felt: 
Faster data analysis in industrial data science 
applications: Quantum computers can perform 
certain types of calculations significantly faster 
than classical computing logic. As these types of 
computations increase in scope and scale, this could 
enable faster data analysis for business problems 
in the era of big data, particularly for large datasets 
created with high velocity.
improved machine learning outcomes: 
Machine learning algorithms are increasingly being 
used for predictive capabilities and enhanced  
data-driven decision-making. In the era of cognitive 
computing, these algorithms may focus on complex 
data types like images and videos for solving business 
and social problems through areas like computer 
vision. Quantum computers could potentially 
improve machine learning by enabling more efficient 
optimisation of these algorithms so that computer 
vision capabilities become more efficient, accurate, 
and fast. Further, in applications of generative 
artificial intelligence, quantum computing could 
potentially have better recommendations since it 
Quantum computing is an advanced area where research and development 
are still at a nascent stage. However , this presents an opportunity for India 
to establish well-funded research Centres of Excellence in the leading 
technological institutions. Long-term schemes of the Department of Science 
and T echnology could possibly be introduced whereby strategic infrastructure 
and manpower training projects can be funded in the established technology 
engineering institutions. This would need to cover both hardware and 
software to further develop a homegrown quantum technology industry .
40 May 2023
would be possible to create architectures that analyse 
real-time additions to the web of knowledge in the 
digital world to create advice. The outcome of these 
capabilities would translate to the development of 
areas like driverless cars, automated management of 
smart city infrastructure, and digital public services. 
improved optimisation for complex 
problems: Many analytics problems involve finding 
the optimal solution to a complex problem. Quantum 
computers can potentially solve these problems 
much faster than classical computers, enabling 
more efficient optimisation of complex systems. This 
may create faster optimisation of very large-scale 
problems involving complex network structures, 
computational biological sciences, and physical 
sciences. Local optimisation can be avoided, and 
quantum computing may enable the achievement 
of global optimal solutions in problems that typically 
demonstrate high multi-dimensional computational 
complexity, or indeed NP-hard problems.
improved industrialisation: Realisation of 
industrial maturity levels such as Industry 4.0 
and beyond, through platforms like digital twins 
would be enabled through quantum computing. 
The Distributed computing networks, federated 
learning, ‘Internet of everything’, blockchain, and 
related technologies can be envisioned to become 
more efficient in terms of achieving their desired 
objectives computationally as well as in terms of 
quality of outcome. 
improved process efficiencies in digital 
transformation: Quantum computing may result 
in faster process automation by analysing real-time 
data generated in the organisation processes. This 
may make the organisations nimbler to change in the 
information ecosystems within which they operate. 
Further, these platforms may enable organisations 
to connect with multiple stakeholders through open 
network architectures to make information flow and 
processing seamless and real-time. 
implications for practice and policy
The possibilities that quantum computing 
can open up are immense, and there are serious 
deliberations that are needed from a public policy 
viewpoint. We list some of these deliberations below:
Quantum computing is an advanced area where 
research and development are still at a nascent stage. 
However, this presents an opportunity for India to 
establish well-funded Research Centres of excellence 
in the leading technological institutions. Long-
term schemes of the Department of Science and 
Technology could possibly be introduced whereby 
strategic infrastructure and manpower training 
projects can be funded in the established technology 
engineering institutions. This would need to cover 
both hardware and software to further develop a 
homegrown quantum technology industry.
Furthermore, quantum computing also needs 
clear and sustained policy and governance since it 
Page 4


38 May 2023
uantum computing differs from 
traditional computing, which uses 
‘bits’—binary digits of 0s and 1s — 
to represent information. However, 
quantum computing uses quantum bits, or ‘qubits’ , 
which can exist in multiple states simultaneously, 
instead of just two states (i.e., 0 and 1). This property 
of qubits, known as ‘superposition’ allows quantum 
computers to perform many computational 
calculations orders of magnitude faster than 
classical computing. Further, quantum computing 
also borrows inspiration from another property 
of quantum mechanics called entanglement, 
wherein two qubits could be connected in such 
a way that the state of one qubit intrinsically 
affects the state of the other qubit. As quantum 
computing moves steadily towards real-world 
Q
applications, it continues to be a thriving area for 
interdisciplinary research and booming scholarly 
outputs, as well as new fundamental discoveries 
in physics. In 2012, Serge Haroche and David 
Wineland were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics 
for their ground-breaking experimental methods 
that enable the measurement and manipulation 
of individual quantum systems. Their work has 
profound implications for quantum information 
and quantum computing. 
Nations and industries are slowly and steadily 
gearing up to leverage the quantum computing wave 
through strategic collaborations and investments in 
research and innovation. This wave may transform 
the entire technology ecosystem; indeed, one that 
may fundamentally transform society, culture, and 
the economy.
prof arpaN Kumar Kar
prof yogesh K dwivedi the author is a Chair Professor at the department of Management Studies, indian institute of technology delhi, india.  
email: arpankar@iitd.ac.in
the author is a Professor of digital Marketing and innovation and director of digital futures for Sustainable Business & Society 
research Group at the School of Management, Swansea University, UK. email: y.k.dwivedi@swansea.ac.uk
QuaNTuM CoMPuTINg
TRaNSfoRMINg TeChNoL ogy
39 May 2023
Quantum computing is still a relatively 
young domain, and while practical quantum 
computers are now commercially available, they 
are currently limited to performing very specific 
types of calculations. However, researchers believe 
that quantum computers have the potential to 
revolutionise fields such as data sciences, artificial 
intelligence, and decision sciences. We attempt to 
deliberate on the following important elements of 
quantum computing evolution:
1. How would the evolution of quantum computing 
impact the nation and society?
2. How can policy interventions be planned now to 
ride the wave of quantum computing as the field 
matures?
The subsequent sections would attempt to 
address these questions stage-wise. First, we discuss 
the impact of quantum computing; then, we discuss 
the implications for policymakers, and finally, we 
conclude the article. 
impact of Quantum c omputing
Given India’s growing capabilities in the space of 
information technology (IT) and IT-enabled services, 
including technology consulting capabilities, we 
foresee that the future of quantum computing is 
going to drastically revolutionise the skill needs 
and capabilities of the emerging skill force, which 
is gradually gearing up in the space of data science, 
artificial intelligence, machine learning, and decision 
sciences. Here are a few areas where the impact of 
quantum computing is likely to be felt: 
Faster data analysis in industrial data science 
applications: Quantum computers can perform 
certain types of calculations significantly faster 
than classical computing logic. As these types of 
computations increase in scope and scale, this could 
enable faster data analysis for business problems 
in the era of big data, particularly for large datasets 
created with high velocity.
improved machine learning outcomes: 
Machine learning algorithms are increasingly being 
used for predictive capabilities and enhanced  
data-driven decision-making. In the era of cognitive 
computing, these algorithms may focus on complex 
data types like images and videos for solving business 
and social problems through areas like computer 
vision. Quantum computers could potentially 
improve machine learning by enabling more efficient 
optimisation of these algorithms so that computer 
vision capabilities become more efficient, accurate, 
and fast. Further, in applications of generative 
artificial intelligence, quantum computing could 
potentially have better recommendations since it 
Quantum computing is an advanced area where research and development 
are still at a nascent stage. However , this presents an opportunity for India 
to establish well-funded research Centres of Excellence in the leading 
technological institutions. Long-term schemes of the Department of Science 
and T echnology could possibly be introduced whereby strategic infrastructure 
and manpower training projects can be funded in the established technology 
engineering institutions. This would need to cover both hardware and 
software to further develop a homegrown quantum technology industry .
40 May 2023
would be possible to create architectures that analyse 
real-time additions to the web of knowledge in the 
digital world to create advice. The outcome of these 
capabilities would translate to the development of 
areas like driverless cars, automated management of 
smart city infrastructure, and digital public services. 
improved optimisation for complex 
problems: Many analytics problems involve finding 
the optimal solution to a complex problem. Quantum 
computers can potentially solve these problems 
much faster than classical computers, enabling 
more efficient optimisation of complex systems. This 
may create faster optimisation of very large-scale 
problems involving complex network structures, 
computational biological sciences, and physical 
sciences. Local optimisation can be avoided, and 
quantum computing may enable the achievement 
of global optimal solutions in problems that typically 
demonstrate high multi-dimensional computational 
complexity, or indeed NP-hard problems.
improved industrialisation: Realisation of 
industrial maturity levels such as Industry 4.0 
and beyond, through platforms like digital twins 
would be enabled through quantum computing. 
The Distributed computing networks, federated 
learning, ‘Internet of everything’, blockchain, and 
related technologies can be envisioned to become 
more efficient in terms of achieving their desired 
objectives computationally as well as in terms of 
quality of outcome. 
improved process efficiencies in digital 
transformation: Quantum computing may result 
in faster process automation by analysing real-time 
data generated in the organisation processes. This 
may make the organisations nimbler to change in the 
information ecosystems within which they operate. 
Further, these platforms may enable organisations 
to connect with multiple stakeholders through open 
network architectures to make information flow and 
processing seamless and real-time. 
implications for practice and policy
The possibilities that quantum computing 
can open up are immense, and there are serious 
deliberations that are needed from a public policy 
viewpoint. We list some of these deliberations below:
Quantum computing is an advanced area where 
research and development are still at a nascent stage. 
However, this presents an opportunity for India to 
establish well-funded Research Centres of excellence 
in the leading technological institutions. Long-
term schemes of the Department of Science and 
Technology could possibly be introduced whereby 
strategic infrastructure and manpower training 
projects can be funded in the established technology 
engineering institutions. This would need to cover 
both hardware and software to further develop a 
homegrown quantum technology industry.
Furthermore, quantum computing also needs 
clear and sustained policy and governance since it 
41 May 2023
deals with new levels of data and computation. The 
legal frameworks surrounding data management, 
data sharing, data privacy, information assurance, 
algorithmic governance, and transparency need 
to evolve. This is where sponsored projects need 
to be created to form a knowledge repository 
surrounding how data governance and policy 
frameworks should evolve. Similarly, frameworks 
surrounding security, transparency, accountability, 
fairness, and ethical use of quantum computing 
systems also need to evolve. This is where social 
scientists would be needed to explore and develop 
inputs for policy making, and co-creating these 
outcomes from the start of the interventions and 
projects. Frameworks surrounding information 
governance, information access, and information 
dissemination may need to be revisited given these 
emerging computational capabilities. 
Skill areas of data science, decision science, 
and machine learning are going to be intensely 
impacted in the near future by quantum computing. 
This is where policymaking at the national level 
needs to create consolidated efforts towards the 
future talent and skill development of the large 
young population that India boasts of, to make them 
future- ready. So, the skills of the existing workforce 
need to be geared towards better understanding 
data science and decision science, so that they can 
take advantage of the wider quantum computing 
domain over the coming years. Manpower skilling 
is an important component for the employability of 
the future workforce of India, and this may require 
policy intervention since most private organisations 
focus on exploiting immediate skill availability 
and project needs by compromising future skilling 
needs. However, these employees who do not 
develop future skills suddenly become irrelevant 
when the technology ecosystems evolve, resulting 
in job losses. 
Realisation of digital healthcare and biomedical 
research would be strongly facilitated using quantum 
computing. Quantum computing is a global field, 
and collaboration is crucial for making progress. 
International funding agencies could develop joint 
project funding schemes whereby collaborations 
can be fostered to enable faster development in this 
space. Mobility grants need to be augmented by 
infrastructure and manpower hiring grants for these 
projects to be really impactful. 
Startups can generate huge opportunities 
that disperse the burden of economic welfare and 
employment from metro cities. Startups focusing 
on quantum computing can be encouraged using 
government support through organisations like the 
Technology Development Board, where grants can 
be given to startup ventures in non-metropolitan 
cities in the space of quantum computing product 
development. These initiatives can also facilitate the 
full realisation of national missions such as Make in 
India over the coming years. 
c onclusion
The quantum computing domain is an area 
that the government must focus on because it will 
be heavily dependent on exploiting information 
assets within and outside the organisations in the  
long-term. There is a significant opportunity for India; 
for moving towards that direction as it is envisioned 
that strategic investments in research, development, 
and training mechanisms should be created. This 
may enable improved capability for leveraging and 
exploiting this domain for the benefit of citizens and 
the nation going forward.
a cknowledgement
Professor T om Crick and Dr Laurie Hughes have also made important 
contributions to this article. Dr Tom Crick is Professor of Digital & 
Policy and Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor (Civic Mission) at Swansea 
University, Wales, UK. Email: thomas.crick@swansea.ac.uk; and  
Dr Laurie Hughes is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Management, 
Swansea University, UK; Email: d.l.hughes@swansea.ac.uk. ?
Page 5


38 May 2023
uantum computing differs from 
traditional computing, which uses 
‘bits’—binary digits of 0s and 1s — 
to represent information. However, 
quantum computing uses quantum bits, or ‘qubits’ , 
which can exist in multiple states simultaneously, 
instead of just two states (i.e., 0 and 1). This property 
of qubits, known as ‘superposition’ allows quantum 
computers to perform many computational 
calculations orders of magnitude faster than 
classical computing. Further, quantum computing 
also borrows inspiration from another property 
of quantum mechanics called entanglement, 
wherein two qubits could be connected in such 
a way that the state of one qubit intrinsically 
affects the state of the other qubit. As quantum 
computing moves steadily towards real-world 
Q
applications, it continues to be a thriving area for 
interdisciplinary research and booming scholarly 
outputs, as well as new fundamental discoveries 
in physics. In 2012, Serge Haroche and David 
Wineland were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics 
for their ground-breaking experimental methods 
that enable the measurement and manipulation 
of individual quantum systems. Their work has 
profound implications for quantum information 
and quantum computing. 
Nations and industries are slowly and steadily 
gearing up to leverage the quantum computing wave 
through strategic collaborations and investments in 
research and innovation. This wave may transform 
the entire technology ecosystem; indeed, one that 
may fundamentally transform society, culture, and 
the economy.
prof arpaN Kumar Kar
prof yogesh K dwivedi the author is a Chair Professor at the department of Management Studies, indian institute of technology delhi, india.  
email: arpankar@iitd.ac.in
the author is a Professor of digital Marketing and innovation and director of digital futures for Sustainable Business & Society 
research Group at the School of Management, Swansea University, UK. email: y.k.dwivedi@swansea.ac.uk
QuaNTuM CoMPuTINg
TRaNSfoRMINg TeChNoL ogy
39 May 2023
Quantum computing is still a relatively 
young domain, and while practical quantum 
computers are now commercially available, they 
are currently limited to performing very specific 
types of calculations. However, researchers believe 
that quantum computers have the potential to 
revolutionise fields such as data sciences, artificial 
intelligence, and decision sciences. We attempt to 
deliberate on the following important elements of 
quantum computing evolution:
1. How would the evolution of quantum computing 
impact the nation and society?
2. How can policy interventions be planned now to 
ride the wave of quantum computing as the field 
matures?
The subsequent sections would attempt to 
address these questions stage-wise. First, we discuss 
the impact of quantum computing; then, we discuss 
the implications for policymakers, and finally, we 
conclude the article. 
impact of Quantum c omputing
Given India’s growing capabilities in the space of 
information technology (IT) and IT-enabled services, 
including technology consulting capabilities, we 
foresee that the future of quantum computing is 
going to drastically revolutionise the skill needs 
and capabilities of the emerging skill force, which 
is gradually gearing up in the space of data science, 
artificial intelligence, machine learning, and decision 
sciences. Here are a few areas where the impact of 
quantum computing is likely to be felt: 
Faster data analysis in industrial data science 
applications: Quantum computers can perform 
certain types of calculations significantly faster 
than classical computing logic. As these types of 
computations increase in scope and scale, this could 
enable faster data analysis for business problems 
in the era of big data, particularly for large datasets 
created with high velocity.
improved machine learning outcomes: 
Machine learning algorithms are increasingly being 
used for predictive capabilities and enhanced  
data-driven decision-making. In the era of cognitive 
computing, these algorithms may focus on complex 
data types like images and videos for solving business 
and social problems through areas like computer 
vision. Quantum computers could potentially 
improve machine learning by enabling more efficient 
optimisation of these algorithms so that computer 
vision capabilities become more efficient, accurate, 
and fast. Further, in applications of generative 
artificial intelligence, quantum computing could 
potentially have better recommendations since it 
Quantum computing is an advanced area where research and development 
are still at a nascent stage. However , this presents an opportunity for India 
to establish well-funded research Centres of Excellence in the leading 
technological institutions. Long-term schemes of the Department of Science 
and T echnology could possibly be introduced whereby strategic infrastructure 
and manpower training projects can be funded in the established technology 
engineering institutions. This would need to cover both hardware and 
software to further develop a homegrown quantum technology industry .
40 May 2023
would be possible to create architectures that analyse 
real-time additions to the web of knowledge in the 
digital world to create advice. The outcome of these 
capabilities would translate to the development of 
areas like driverless cars, automated management of 
smart city infrastructure, and digital public services. 
improved optimisation for complex 
problems: Many analytics problems involve finding 
the optimal solution to a complex problem. Quantum 
computers can potentially solve these problems 
much faster than classical computers, enabling 
more efficient optimisation of complex systems. This 
may create faster optimisation of very large-scale 
problems involving complex network structures, 
computational biological sciences, and physical 
sciences. Local optimisation can be avoided, and 
quantum computing may enable the achievement 
of global optimal solutions in problems that typically 
demonstrate high multi-dimensional computational 
complexity, or indeed NP-hard problems.
improved industrialisation: Realisation of 
industrial maturity levels such as Industry 4.0 
and beyond, through platforms like digital twins 
would be enabled through quantum computing. 
The Distributed computing networks, federated 
learning, ‘Internet of everything’, blockchain, and 
related technologies can be envisioned to become 
more efficient in terms of achieving their desired 
objectives computationally as well as in terms of 
quality of outcome. 
improved process efficiencies in digital 
transformation: Quantum computing may result 
in faster process automation by analysing real-time 
data generated in the organisation processes. This 
may make the organisations nimbler to change in the 
information ecosystems within which they operate. 
Further, these platforms may enable organisations 
to connect with multiple stakeholders through open 
network architectures to make information flow and 
processing seamless and real-time. 
implications for practice and policy
The possibilities that quantum computing 
can open up are immense, and there are serious 
deliberations that are needed from a public policy 
viewpoint. We list some of these deliberations below:
Quantum computing is an advanced area where 
research and development are still at a nascent stage. 
However, this presents an opportunity for India to 
establish well-funded Research Centres of excellence 
in the leading technological institutions. Long-
term schemes of the Department of Science and 
Technology could possibly be introduced whereby 
strategic infrastructure and manpower training 
projects can be funded in the established technology 
engineering institutions. This would need to cover 
both hardware and software to further develop a 
homegrown quantum technology industry.
Furthermore, quantum computing also needs 
clear and sustained policy and governance since it 
41 May 2023
deals with new levels of data and computation. The 
legal frameworks surrounding data management, 
data sharing, data privacy, information assurance, 
algorithmic governance, and transparency need 
to evolve. This is where sponsored projects need 
to be created to form a knowledge repository 
surrounding how data governance and policy 
frameworks should evolve. Similarly, frameworks 
surrounding security, transparency, accountability, 
fairness, and ethical use of quantum computing 
systems also need to evolve. This is where social 
scientists would be needed to explore and develop 
inputs for policy making, and co-creating these 
outcomes from the start of the interventions and 
projects. Frameworks surrounding information 
governance, information access, and information 
dissemination may need to be revisited given these 
emerging computational capabilities. 
Skill areas of data science, decision science, 
and machine learning are going to be intensely 
impacted in the near future by quantum computing. 
This is where policymaking at the national level 
needs to create consolidated efforts towards the 
future talent and skill development of the large 
young population that India boasts of, to make them 
future- ready. So, the skills of the existing workforce 
need to be geared towards better understanding 
data science and decision science, so that they can 
take advantage of the wider quantum computing 
domain over the coming years. Manpower skilling 
is an important component for the employability of 
the future workforce of India, and this may require 
policy intervention since most private organisations 
focus on exploiting immediate skill availability 
and project needs by compromising future skilling 
needs. However, these employees who do not 
develop future skills suddenly become irrelevant 
when the technology ecosystems evolve, resulting 
in job losses. 
Realisation of digital healthcare and biomedical 
research would be strongly facilitated using quantum 
computing. Quantum computing is a global field, 
and collaboration is crucial for making progress. 
International funding agencies could develop joint 
project funding schemes whereby collaborations 
can be fostered to enable faster development in this 
space. Mobility grants need to be augmented by 
infrastructure and manpower hiring grants for these 
projects to be really impactful. 
Startups can generate huge opportunities 
that disperse the burden of economic welfare and 
employment from metro cities. Startups focusing 
on quantum computing can be encouraged using 
government support through organisations like the 
Technology Development Board, where grants can 
be given to startup ventures in non-metropolitan 
cities in the space of quantum computing product 
development. These initiatives can also facilitate the 
full realisation of national missions such as Make in 
India over the coming years. 
c onclusion
The quantum computing domain is an area 
that the government must focus on because it will 
be heavily dependent on exploiting information 
assets within and outside the organisations in the  
long-term. There is a significant opportunity for India; 
for moving towards that direction as it is envisioned 
that strategic investments in research, development, 
and training mechanisms should be created. This 
may enable improved capability for leveraging and 
exploiting this domain for the benefit of citizens and 
the nation going forward.
a cknowledgement
Professor T om Crick and Dr Laurie Hughes have also made important 
contributions to this article. Dr Tom Crick is Professor of Digital & 
Policy and Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor (Civic Mission) at Swansea 
University, Wales, UK. Email: thomas.crick@swansea.ac.uk; and  
Dr Laurie Hughes is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Management, 
Swansea University, UK; Email: d.l.hughes@swansea.ac.uk. ?
42 May 2023
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