Building a useful quantum computer is a grand science and engineering challenge, currently pursued intensely by teams around the world. In the 1980s, Richard Feynman and Yuri Manin observed independently that computers based on quantum mechanics might enable better simulations of quantum phenomena. Their vision remained an intellectual curiosity until Peter Shor published his famous quantum algorithm for integer factoring, and shortly thereafter a proof that errors in quantum computations can be corrected. Since then, quantum computing R&D has progressed rapidly, from small-scale experiments in university physics laboratories to well-funded industrial efforts and prototypes. Hype notwithstanding, quantum computers have yet to solve scientifically or practically important problems -- a target often called quantum utility. In this article, we describe the capabilities of contemporary quantum computers, compare them to the requirements of quantum utility, and illustrate how to track progress from today to utility. We highlight key science and engineering challenges on the road to quantum utility, touching on relevant aspects of our own research.

翻译：构建一台实用的量子计算机是一项重大的科学与工程挑战，目前全球多个团队正为此展开激烈竞争。20世纪80年代，理查德·费曼和尤里·马宁分别独立指出，基于量子力学的计算机可能实现对量子现象更优的模拟。这一设想曾长期停留在理论探索阶段，直至彼得·肖尔发表其著名的整数分解量子算法，随后不久又证明了量子计算中的误差可以被纠正。自此，量子计算研发进程迅猛发展——从大学物理实验室的小规模实验，到获得充足资金支持的工业级项目与原型机。尽管存在过度宣传，量子计算机迄今尚未能解决具有科学或实际重要性的问题——这一目标常被称为"量子效用"。本文阐述了当代量子计算机的实际能力，将其与量子效用的要求进行对比，并说明如何追踪从当前水平到实现量子效用的发展进程。我们重点分析了实现量子效用道路上的关键科学与工程挑战，同时涉及我们自身研究的相关方面。