Quantum Computing for Big Data and AI: Emerging Applications, Technical Challenges, and Future Directions

Fast data and growing artificial intelligence have brought traditional computer infrastructures to their limits. They expose inherent limitations in processing speed, energy efficiency, and scalability. In the face of nearing physical barriers with Moore's Law and memory bottlenecks plaguing traditional von Neumann architectures, quantum computing offers a completely new way of leveraging principles such as superposition and entanglement to redefine computation possibilities. This review is concerned with addressing how quantum computing stands to do that foundational AI and big data challenges, from accelerating extremely complex optimization tasks to enabling very secure, real-time analytics. These topics include basic principles of quantum mechanics, the basis of qubits and quantum circuits; updates in quantum algorithms (such as Grover's search, quantum annealing); and hybrid classical-quantum systems that serve as pathways through technological gaps. The paper suggests major applications of transformative nature in some of the higher-impact domains: quantum-accelerated drug discovery for health, portfolio optimization in finance, and quantum-secured communication infrastructures to guard the IoT. Case studies present early successes on quantum machine learning models improving diagnostic accuracy and annealing-based traffic optimization for urban congestion. Decoherence, error-prone devices, as well as low software ecosystems are conspiring against the actual roadways to practical quantum advantages. Future progress is dependent on the innovative development of error-corrected qubits, scalable algorithms, as well as interdisciplinary collaboration. While universal quantum supremacy remains while unreached, this coming decade promises a series of developments toward applied, specific applications that will place quantum computing as an added force among the classical systems. This review tries to project both sides of the likely potential of the space, obstacles, and path, paving the way for the researcher to find their foot in the continually progressing quantum-AI terrain.