Interests
The Future of Cloud Computing
Quantum Cloud Computing
Cloud-based quantum computing is the use of cloud architecture in order to achieve widespread access to quantum computing. What is quantum computing you may ask? While modern computers use bits (electrical pulses representing 1’s and 0’s) for computing, quantum computers use things called qubits (Giles). Qubits are typically subatomic particles such as electrons, and have the ability to crunch through a vast number of outcomes simultaneously. This is all thanks to mysterious quantum phenomena such as superposition, and quantum entanglement (Giles). In the future, it is likely that quantum based computing will be able to solve certain problems orders of magnitude faster than classical computers. In fact, Google’s quantum computer solved a problem in 200 seconds that was estimated to take 10,000 years on a classical supercomputer(Giles). Many companies are starting to create their own version of quantum cloud computing. Amazon recently released their Braket service, and Microsoft currently has Azure quantum. Both aim to provide an environment to explore and create algorithms on either simulated quantum computers, or the real thing if you choose.
Green Cloud Computing
Green cloud computing can be described as the notion of bringing sustainable methods into the world of cloud architecture, sometimes called Green IT. Its goal is to ultimately reduce energy consumption or to eventually replace it with renewable sources in order to minimize the carbon footprint that the cloud has on the environment, and to set forth a plan of longevity, not just for the cloud services of the business, but for the natural resources of the planet (Bigdata). Since cloud computing is so essential and effective in many businesses around the world, its use, and therefore its impact on the environment, has greatly increased. More people using the cloud means that much more energy is being used to sustain these processes. However, cloud computing is also much more environmentally friendly than tradition methods. A study done by Google in 2013 found that moving simple business services to the cloud could cut the energy use of a company of up to 87% (Berkeley)! Many advocates for green cloud computing believe that a greater reliance on renewable energy would solve many of the environmental problems that inhibit cloud computing. Cloud computing is a highly useful infrastructure for most businesses, however, it is important that we keep in mind the environmental impact that using vast amounts of energy has, and how we can better sustain the planet.
How They Relate:
In MIS3406, we learned how regular cloud computing impacts the world and makes access to computing resources more efficient and economical. This is important to keep in mind for both of these topics. Not everyone will be able to have access to quantum computers, and cloud based quantum computing would help people and researchers across the world in achieving important work. Software companies Jij and Toyota Tsusho have used Microsoft’s Azure Quantum in order to solve traffic light optimization problems, and have successfully seen a 20% decrease in car waiting time(Leprince-Ringuet). Scientists all across the world will have the ability to test theories and perform experiments that they otherwise would not have, in a more affordable way then they otherwise would have, and is yet another example of how cloud computing is one of the world’s most important developments.
Both green cloud computing and quantum cloud computing represent the ways in which the world is changing and technology is advancing. Technological advancements always come with their own set of challenges that need to be addressed, and green cloud computing and quantum computing both characterize that. If quantum cloud computing could be widespread one day, then it would also be important to be environmentally conscious about the ways in which it was implemented.
References:
Bigdata. (2020, December 31). Green cloud computing – the sustainable way to use the cloud. https://bigdataanalyticsnews.com/green-cloud-computing-sustainable-use/.
Giles, M. (2020, April 2). Explainer: What is a quantum computer? https://www.technologyreview.com/2019/01/29/66141/what-is-quantum-computing/.
Leprince-Ringuet, D. (2021, February 1). Microsoft’s quantum cloud computing plans take another big step forward. https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsofts-quantum-cloud-computing-plans-take-another-big-step-forward/.
Masanet, E., Shehabi, A., Ramakrishnan, L., Liang, J., Ma, X., Walker, B., Hendrix, V., and! P. Mantha(2013) The Energy Efficiency Potential of Cloud A Based Software: A U.S. Case Study. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California.