Quantum Leap in Healthcare: A Comparative Analysis of AI/ML and Quantum Computing for Healthcare opportunities of the new era

The healthcare sector is undergoing rapid transformation driven by advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning, with quantum computing emerging as the next major breakthrough. This paper presents a comparative analysis of classical AI/ML and quantum computing applications in healthcare, emphasizing their capabilities, limitations, and future potential. Leveraging the unique properties of quantum systems, quantum machine learning demonstrates significant improvements in processing speed, diagnostic accuracy, medical imaging, and personalized treatment. A review of recent studies (2023–2025) highlights the superior performance of quantum neural networks, quantum deep learning, and quantum-enhanced transformers across various clinical tasks. Despite notable challenges, including high implementation costs, limited hardware maturity, and integration complexities, the findings underscore a clear roadmap for incorporating quantum technologies into existing healthcare frameworks. Ultimately, this study suggests that combining classical and quantum approaches can enhance precision, accelerate data analysis, and significantly improve patient outcomes, marking a pivotal step toward next-generation healthcare innovation.