Daily Archives: December 16, 2023

RICHMOND, Va. -- Quantum computers in their current state are, according to researchers, 'clunky and buggy.' But the future of the computers could be discovered right here in the Commonwealth.

The U.S. Department on Energy has enlisted Virginia Tech's Sophia Economou and her collaborators to gauge the status and identify possible application areas for the existing technology.

Quantum computers are still not the way we envision them in their final form as robust, universal machines that can implement algorithms of practical interest, said Economou, the Marshall T. Hahn Chair in Physics at Virginia Tech. They're still at a very primitive stage.

Quantum computers process information in a different way than computers that you would use today. But their differences allow the quantum machines to run, "...algorithms for certain types of computations incredibly fast," Virginia Tech explained in a release.

Economous joint project is part of a larger $12 million Department of Energy campaign with funding for six collaborative projects looking for answers as to, 'What are the physical limits of quantum processors,' and 'How can we use the devices to move our understanding as to when quantum computers can be used.'

We want to know how we can put these quantum computers to work before we have these large-scale powerful machines, Economou said. And, in doing so, we can understand more about how we can actually achieve their full potential.

Depend on CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for in-depth coverage of this important local story. Anyone with more information canemail newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.

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The future of quantum computing could be right here in Virginia - CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR

Caltech and Broadcom today announced a multi-year partnership to advance quantum science research and discoveries with the potential to seed new innovative technologies and applications.

The partnership, supported with a significant investment from Broadcom, will establish the Broadcom Quantum Laboratory at Caltech, a physical collaboration space that will bring together experts in the fields of quantum computing, quantum sensing, quantum measurement, and quantum engineering. Broadcom's investment will support joint programming and research to accelerate discovery.

Additionally, over the next five years, Broadcom and Caltech have agreed to host an annual symposium where scientists and engineers from both organizations will explore areas of mutual interest and future development opportunities in relevant fields.

"Developing deep connections to technology leaders like Broadcom amplifies the power of the science and engineering that Caltech can accomplish," says Caltech President Thomas F. Rosenbaum, the Sonja and William Davidow Presidential Chair and professor of physics. "We share a belief in the transformative potential of quantum discoveries across the disciplines and welcome this new partnership."

"Broadcom is thrilled to partner with Caltech to launch this critical R&D initiative on quantum computing. As a world-class leader in science and engineering research, Caltech has a long and rich history of technology innovation," says Hock Tan, President and CEO of Broadcom. "This multi-year investment and engineering collaboration reinforces our continued commitment to supporting advanced R&D and represents our relentless pursuit of innovation to connect our customers, employees and communities worldwide."

Caltech is one of the world's preeminent institutions for quantum science research, with faculty positioned across the Institute working on theoretical and experimental advances that have the potential to impact everything from energy storage to drug design, to information processing and security. The Institute's faculty have been at the forefront of the field since the 1980s when the late Richard Feynman, a Caltech theoretical physicist who pioneered quantum computing and introduced the concept of nanotechnology, first posited that quantum computers would be necessary for future advanced computing systems and problems.

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Caltech and Broadcom Announce Quantum Research and Development Partnership - Caltech

A German-manufactured quantum computing chip. | Thomas Kienzle/AFP via Getty Images

Researchers made a potentially major breakthrough in quantum computing last week, nudging the technology ever-so-gradually toward the concrete from the conceptual.

A team of scientists announced a major advancement in the development of error correction, the process of fighting the subatomic deterioration that makes most quantum computers today unhelpful for more than research purposes. The commercial quantum company QuEra Computing said it achieved a significant leap, in cooperation with Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a joint program between the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the University of Maryland.

The wider quantum community met the results with cautious excitement: Assuming the result stands, I think its plausibly the top experimental quantum computing advance of 2023, Scott Aaronson, a computer scientist and director of the University of Texas at Austins Quantum Information Center, wrote on his blog.

The researchers technical achievement is very, very wonky, so Ill leave it to their manuscript in Nature (or Aaronsons helpful blog entry) to explain further details to the interested reader. Suffice to say, it seems to be a big deal and one that comes just as Congress weighs the reauthorization of the National Quantum Initiative Act, which partially funded this very experiment and is currently up for its first five-year extension since former President Donald Trump signed the original bill into law in 2018.

As we noted amid last weeks big push from IBM, this is exactly the kind of news researchers love to show Washington as proof of concept for continued funding and support.

For that legislation to pass, the goal is for it to be as uncontroversial and as proven as possible, and a recent breakthrough certainly provides a useful talking point, said Adam Kovacevich, founder and CEO of the Chamber of Progress, a center-left tech industry coalition. But that doesnt mean its a lock for future funding. At the end of November the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology passed the bill, but the House of Representatives did not attach it to the National Defense Authorization Act just passed this afternoon. (The next opportunity to tack quantum to a major spending bill will come next month, when Congress must approve the federal appropriations bill it partially punted on in November.)

Partisan rancor could threaten the otherwise good vibes surrounding quantum and other tech innovations in Washington not to mention another oxygen-thirsty topic you might have heard of called artificial intelligence.

Garnering attention for quantum in the current tech policy landscape dominated by AI remains an uphill battle, and navigating this environment to secure sufficient recognition and resources for quantum is proving a difficult task, Hodan Omaar, a senior policy analyst at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a tech-friendly think tank, told me. Omaar wrote a report in October on the past, present and future of American quantum policy and told POLITICO the NQIA will not be assured until it crosses the Resolute Desk.

Still, she added, These sorts of breakthroughs dont hurt.

The European Union might need to shore up its regulatory and intellectual firepower if its going to enforce the forthcoming AI Act.

POLITICOs Mark Scott makes that argument in todays edition of the Digital Bridge newsletter, writing that the EUs strategy, which lacks details about funding and enforcement, is based on a false promise that theres enough technical skill, financial resources and regulatory capacity to both keep track of existing models and keep ahead of what is to come.

If recent history has taught us anything, that is wishful thinking, Mark writes, citing continuing issues with enforcing Europes General Data Protection Regulation. I want budget numbers. I want figures on new regulatory hires. I want an explanation of how these agencies will push back against companies transparency reports that may, or may not, be accurate.

A new AI Office at the European Commission will be responsible for setting these terms, but as Mark also points out, no budget has yet been set for it.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission approved a plan Wednesday for crypto asset exchange Bitnomial to expand in a manner that remarkably resembles the ambitions of former crypto hub FTX.

POLITICOs Zach Warmbrodt reported on the developments in todays Morning Money newsletter, writing that the move is raising alarm bells at the CFTC, including from Christy Goldsmith Romero, the lone commissioner to oppose the move.

We should learn the lesson from our consideration of FTXs application that also sought to change the traditional market structure, Romero told Zach, arguing that the CFTC should make sure it thoroughly vets Bitnomial for the kind of risk that toppled FTX.

CFTC Chair Rostin Behnam said the agency would take a closer look at policy concerns next year, but that it was legally obligated to act on Bitnomials application now. Zach points out that the move is a striking contrast with the leader of the CFTCs sister agency, SEC Chair Gary Gensler, whose efforts to police the digital asset industry have triggered lawsuits and enshrined him as Washingtons chief crypto antagonist.

Stay in touch with the whole team: Ben Schreckinger ([emailprotected]); Derek Robertson ([emailprotected]); Mohar Chatterjee ([emailprotected]); Steve Heuser ([emailprotected]); Nate Robson ([emailprotected]) and Daniella Cheslow ([emailprotected]).

If youve had this newsletter forwarded to you, you can sign up and read our mission statement at the links provided.

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A breakthrough boosts quantum on the Hill - POLITICO

Harvard researchers have realized a key milestone in the quest for stable, scalable quantum computing, an ultra-high-speed technology that will enable game-changing advances in a variety of fields, including medicine, science, and finance.

The team, led by Mikhail Lukin, the Joshua and Beth Friedman University Professor in physics and co-director of the Harvard Quantum Initiative, has created the first programmable, logical quantum processor, capable of encoding up to 48 logical qubits, and executing hundreds of logical gate operations, a vast improvement over prior efforts.

Published in Nature, the work was performed in collaboration with Markus Greiner, the George Vasmer Leverett Professor of Physics; colleagues from MIT; and QuEra Computing, a Boston company founded on technology from Harvard labs.

The system is the first demonstration of large-scale algorithm execution on an error-corrected quantum computer, heralding the advent of early fault-tolerant, or reliably uninterrupted, quantum computation.

"I think this is one of the moments in which it is clear that something very special is coming"

Mikhail Lukin, Joshua and Beth Friedman University Professor in Physics

Lukin described the achievement as a possible inflection point akin to the early days in the field of artificial intelligence: the ideas of quantum error correction and fault tolerance, long theorized, are starting to bear fruit.

I think this is one of the moments in which it is clear that something very special is coming, Lukin said. Although there are still challenges ahead, we expect that this new advance will greatly accelerate the progress toward large-scale, useful quantum computers.

Denise Caldwell of the National Science Foundation agrees.

"The team has not only accelerated the development of quantum information processing by using neutral atoms, but opened a new door to explorations of large-scale logical qubit devices, which could enable transformative benefits for science and society as a whole."

Caldwell, acting assistant director of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate

This breakthrough is a tour de force of quantum engineering and design, said Caldwell, acting assistant director of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate, which supported the research through NSFs Physics Frontiers Centers and Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes programs. The team has not only accelerated the development of quantum information processing by using neutral atoms, but opened a new door to explorations of large-scale logical qubit devices, which could enable transformative benefits for science and society as a whole.

Its been a long, complex path.

In quantum computing, a quantum bit or qubit is one unit of information, just like a binary bit in classical computing. For more than two decades, physicists and engineers have shown the world that quantum computing is, in principle, possible by manipulating quantum particles be they atoms, ions, or photons to create physical qubits.

But successfully exploiting the weirdness of quantum mechanics for computation is more complicated than simply amassing a large-enough number of qubits, which are inherently unstable and prone to collapse out of their quantum states.

The real coins of the realm are so-called logical qubits: bundles of redundant, error-corrected physical qubits, which can store information for use in a quantum algorithm. Creating logical qubits as controllable units like classical bits has been a fundamental obstacle for the field, and its generally accepted that until quantum computers can run reliably on logical qubits, the technology cant really take off.

To date, the best computing systems have demonstrated one or two logical qubits, and one quantum gate operation akin to just one unit of code between them.

The Harvard teams breakthrough builds on several years of work on a quantum computing architecture known as a neutral atom array, pioneered in Lukins lab. It is now being commercialized by QuEra, which recently entered into a licensing agreement with Harvards Office of Technology Development for a patent portfolio based on innovations developed by Lukins group.

The key component of the system is a block of ultra-cold, suspended rubidium atoms, in which the atoms the systems physical qubits can move about and be connected into pairs or entangled mid-computation.

Entangled pairs of atoms form gates, which are units of computing power. Previously, the team had demonstrated low error rates in their entangling operations, proving the reliability of their neutral atom array system.

With their logical quantum processor, the researchers now demonstrate parallel, multiplexed control of an entire patch of logical qubits, using lasers. This result is more efficient and scalable than having to control individual physical qubits.

We are trying to mark a transition in the field, toward starting to test algorithms with error-corrected qubits instead of physical ones, and enabling a path toward larger devices, said paper first author Dolev Bluvstein, a Griffin School of Arts and Sciences Ph.D. student in Lukins lab.

The team will continue to work toward demonstrating more types of operations on their 48 logical qubits and to configure their system to run continuously, as opposed to manual cycling as it does now.

The work was supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency through the Optimization with Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum devices program; the Center for Ultracold Atoms, a National Science Foundation Physics Frontiers Center; the Army Research Office; the joint Quantum Institute/NIST; and QuEra Computing.

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Anne J. Manning The Harvard Gazette

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Researchers create first logical quantum processor - Harvard Office of Technology Development

Investing in top quantum computing stocks is increasingly capturing the markets attention as this revolutionary technology advances. These companies, at the vanguard of research and development, are unlocking significant growth opportunities as quantum computing matures.

According to Future Market Insights, the global quantum computing market is projected to be valued at an impressive $784 million in 2023. Even more striking, market revenue is expected to skyrocket to an astonishing $6.5 billion by 2033. And with that, a remarkable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.5% between 2023 and 2033 is expected. This surge underscores the sectors potential and the growing investor interest in quantum computing.

Despite being predominantly in the research and development phase, quantum computing is evolving rapidly. It is becoming more affordable and accessible, thanks to cloud computing advancements. Indeed, the demand for enhanced computing power is growing with the expansion of the digital economy and artificial intelligence. So, these are the three quantum computing stalwarts to watch for stellar investment returns.

Source: Amin Van / Shutterstock.com

IonQ (NYSE:IONQ) emerges as a standout in the quantum computing sector and a top choice for investors focused on this cutting-edge sector. The companys robust engineering team and strategic partnership with Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG, NASDAQ:GOOGL) underscores its promising potential. This collaboration is instrumental in boosting both IonQs computing capabilities and its expanding user base.

Moreover, the companys collaboration extends to working with Zapata AI, renowned for its quantum-powered generative AI solutions. Supported by DARPA funding, IonQ and Zapata are developing new quantum benchmarking tools. Truly, its a testament to their pioneering spirit in the quantum field.

Financially, IonQs prowess is evident in its recent earnings report. The third quarter saw revenues hitting $6.1 million, a whopping 122% surge year over year (YOY), surpassing market expectations by $1.1 million. Additionally, their quarter bookings reached $26.3 million, contributing to a hefty $58.4 million year to date (YTD). Also, IonQ is cumulatively amassing $100 million in bookings since 2021. Hence, this trajectory cements IonQs solid market position and bright prospects.

Source: Peteri / Shutterstock.com

For investors eyeing the quantum computing space, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) emerges as a compelling option, stretching its influence across various tech sectors. The tech behemoth is carving a unique path in quantum computing, notably with its Q# development kit. This toolkit provides a virtual sandbox for developers. Further, it enables experimentation with quantum systems in both commercial and research settings before actual deployment.

Moreover, Microsofts quantum strategy sets it apart, opting for a research-intensive route, unlike peers such as IonQ. This approach, while demanding more time and resources, underlines the companys commitment to pioneering in this field. In the first quarter of 2024, Microsoft reported robust financials. It outperformed expectations with earnings per share of $2.99 and revenues of $56.52 billion, indicating a 12.76% increase YOY.

Furthermore, with quantum computing set to enhance AIs capabilities, Microsoft emerges as a stable and promising investment. Its approach to quantum computing, coupled with strong financial performance, positions it as a less risky yet innovative choice in the evolving quantum landscape.

Source: Sergio Photone / Shutterstock.com

Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) stands out as a frontrunner in advanced semiconductor designs, with its graphics processing units (GPUs) revolutionizing next-gen technologies. These GPUs are central to Nvidias role in developing quantum computers, maintaining its dominance in intricate circuitry design. The companys expertise in AI and machine learning further bolsters its tech position.

Moreover, innovation at Nvidia extends to cuQuantum, a software development kit designed to bolster quantum computing efforts. This move exemplifies Nvidias strategy to repurpose its GPU software for quantum computing advancements. Additionally, the early 2023 launch of DGX Quantum, which combines top-tier GPUs with Quantum Machines hardware, underscores Nvidias commitment to advancing quantum computing research. It promises wide-ranging applications from enhancing jet engine efficiency to accelerating drug development.

Furthermore, the companys third-quarter 2024 results showcased a record-breaking $18.12 billion in revenue, marking a significant milestone. This robust financial performance offers investors both stability and promising growth potential, reinforcing Nvidias status as a key player in the evolving tech landscape.

On the date of publication, Muslim Farooque did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.comPublishing Guidelines.

Muslim Farooque is a keen investor and an optimist at heart. A life-long gamer and tech enthusiast, he has a particular affinity for analyzing technology stocks. Muslim holds a bachelors of science degree in applied accounting from Oxford Brookes University.

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Quantum Computing Pioneers: 3 Stocks to Watch - InvestorPlace

QuEra Computing, the leader in neutral-atom quantum computers, today announced a significant breakthrough published in the scientific journal Nature. In experiments led by Harvard University in close collaboration with QuEra Computing, MIT, and NIST/UMD, researchers successfully executed large-scale algorithms on an error-corrected quantum computer with 48 logical qubits and hundreds of entangling logical operations. This advancement, a significant leap in quantum computing, sets the stage for developing truly scalable and fault-tolerant quantum computers that could solve practical classically intractable problems.

"We at Moodys Analytics recognize the monumental significance of achieving 48 logical qubits in a fault-tolerant quantum computing environmentand its potential to revolutionize data analytics and financial simulations, said Sergio Gago, Managing Director of Quantum and AI at Moodys Analytics. This brings us closer to a future where quantum computing is not just an experimental endeavor but a practical tool that can deliver real-world solutions for our clients. This pivotal moment could redefine how industries approach complex computational challenges."

A critical challenge preventing quantum computing from reaching its enormous potential is the noise that affects qubits, corrupting computations before reaching the desired results. Quantum error correction overcomes these limitations by creating logical qubits," groups of physical qubits that are entangled to store information redundantly. This redundancy allows for identifying and correcting errors that may occur during quantum computations. By using logical qubits instead of individual physical qubits, quantum systems can achieve a level of fault tolerance, making them more robust and reliable for complex computations.

This is a truly exciting time in our field as the fundamental ideas of quantum error correction and fault tolerance are starting to bear fruit, said Mikhail Lukin, the Joshua and Beth Friedman University Professor, co-director of the Harvard Quantum Initiative, and co-founder of QuEra Computing. This work, leveraging the outstanding recent progress in the neutral-atom quantum computing community, is a testament to the incredible effort of exceptionally talented students and postdocs as well as our remarkable collaborators at QuEra, MIT, and NIST/UMD.Although we are clear-eyed about the challenges ahead, we expect that this new advance will greatly accelerate the progress towards large-scale, useful quantum computers, enabling thenext phase of discovery and innovation.

Previous demonstrations of error correction have showcased one, two, or three logical qubits. This new work demonstrates quantum error correction in 48 logical qubits, enhancing computational stability and reliability while addressing the error problem. On the path to large-scale quantum computation, Harvard, QuEra, and the collaborators reported the following critical achievements:

Creation and entanglement of the largest logical qubits to date, demonstrating a code distance of 7, enabling the detection and correction of arbitrary errors occurring during the entangling logical gate operations. Larger code distances imply higher resistance to quantum errors. Furthermore, the research showed for the first time that increasing the code distance indeed reduces the error rate in logical operations.

The breakthrough utilized an advanced neutral-atom system quantum computer, combining hundreds of qubits, high two-qubit gate fidelities, arbitrary connectivity, fully programmable single-qubit rotations, and mid-circuit readout.

The system also included hardware-efficient control in reconfigurable neutral-atom arrays, employing direct, parallel control over an entire group of logical qubits. This parallel control dramatically reduces the control overhead and complexity of performing logical operations. While using as many as 280 physical qubits, researchers needed to program fewer than ten control signals to execute all of the required operations in the study. Other quantum modalities typically require hundreds of control signals for the same number of qubits. As quantum computers scale to many thousands of qubits, efficient control becomes critically important.

"The achievement of 48 logical qubits with high fault tolerance is a watershed moment in the quantum computing industry, said Matt Langione, Partner at the Boston Consulting Group. This breakthrough not only accelerates the timeline for practical quantum applications but also opens up new avenues for solving problems that were previously considered intractable by classical computing methods. It's a game-changer that significantly elevates the commercial viability of quantum computing. Businesses across sectors should take note, as the race to quantum advantage just got a major boost."

"Today marks a historic milestone for QuEra and the broader quantum computing community, said Alex Keesling, CEO, QuEra Computing, These achievements are the culmination of a multi-year effort, led by our Harvard and MIT academic collaborators together with QuEra scientists and engineers, to push the boundaries of what's possible in quantum computing. This isn't just a technological leap; it's a testament to the power of collaboration and investment in pioneering research. We're thrilled to set the stage for a new era of scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computing that can tackle some of the world's most complex problems. The future of quantum is here, and QuEra is proud to be at the forefront of this revolution."

Our experience in manufacturing and operating quantum computers - such as our first-generation machine available on a public cloud since 2022 - coupled with this groundbreaking research, puts us in a prime position to lead the quantum revolution, added Keesling.

The work was supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency through the Optimization with Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum devices (ONISQ) program, the National Science Foundation, the Center for Ultracold Atoms (an NSF Physics Frontiers Center), and the Army Research Office.

QuEra also announced a special event on Jan 9th at 11:30 AM ET, where QuEra will reveal its commercial roadmap for fault-tolerant quantum computers. Register for this online event athttps://quera.link/roadmap

Source:https://www.quera.com/

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Harvard, QuEra, MIT, and the NIST/University of Maryland Usher in New Era of Quantum Computing by Performing ... - AZoQuantum

In the heart of Silicon Valley, where innovation is the lifeblood and the future is always a step ahead, a group of brilliant minds embarked on a journey that would redefine the very fabric of computing. The air hummed with anticipation as whispers of quantum computing echoed through the corridors of tech giants and startups alike.

As the quantum dawn approached, a small but determined team of researchers at Quantum Innovations Inc. pushed the boundaries of classical computing, aiming to harness the power of quantum mechanics. Their quest was to unlock the secrets of quantum bits, or qubits, and propel us into an era where computational power would reach unprecedented heights.

The story begins in a nondescript lab, tucked away from the bustling streets of Palo Alto. Dr. Olivia Chen, a physicist with a penchant for the abstract, led the team. Armed with a vision of quantum supremacy, they faced the daunting challenge of taming the unruly world of quantum mechanics.

Months turned into years as the researchers grappled with the delicate dance of qubits. Unlike classical bits that exist in a state of either 0 or 1, qubits could exist in multiple states simultaneously due to the principles of superposition. It was a delicate balance, and every attempt to harness this quantum dance was met with both breakthroughs and setbacks.

The team encountered unforeseen challenges, such as quantum entanglement and decoherence, threatening to derail their progress. However, with each obstacle, they emerged stronger, armed with new insights and innovative solutions. The lab became a crucible of discovery, where failure was not the end but a stepping stone toward the ultimate goal.

Word spread through the tech community as Quantum Innovations Inc. published groundbreaking papers and held clandestine conferences to share their progress. Excitement grew as the implications of quantum computing became clear solving complex problems in minutes that would take classical computers eons, revolutionizing fields from cryptography to drug discovery.

One fateful day, the team achieved quantum supremacy, a moment that reverberated across the technological landscape. The quantum computer, now affectionately known as Quanta, solved a problem deemed impossible for classical computers in mere seconds. The breakthrough echoed through the industry, triggering a wave of investment, research collaborations, and a renewed sense of what was possible.

As Quanta continued to evolve, the boundaries of what we thought achievable in computing were shattered. The story of Quantum Innovations Inc. became a beacon of inspiration, symbolizing the relentless pursuit of knowledge and the triumph of human ingenuity over the complexities of the quantum realm.

The world watched in awe as the quantum revolution unfolded, ushering in an era where the impossible was merely a challenge waiting to be conquered. In the hallowed halls of Silicon Valley, the quantum pioneers continued to push the boundaries of technology, unveiling a future where quantum leaps were not just a metaphor, but a reality shaping the digital landscape for generations to come.

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Quantum Leaps: Unraveling the Mysteries of Quantum Computing | by ATHARV AMBADE | Dec, 2023 - Medium

In contrast to conventional computers, quantum computers are (or will be) built via the principles of quantum mechanics. Specifically, where information is stored in bits in a computer today, information in quantum computers will be stored in quantum bits, or qubits. A bit can be either a 0 or a 1, a binary system.Think of a light bulb that is either on or off, or a coin that is either heads or tails. In the mechanics of computing, a bit usually refers to an electrical signal that iseither on or off.

Like a bit, a qubit can be either 0 or 1, but it can also exist as limitless possibilities between those two states. Qubitsbuilt from subatomic particlesmight be created via the state of superposition between two electrons, for instance. Thus, a qubit is not just in a state of 0 or 1, it could be 0 and 1 at the same time, or any other combination between the states.

According to an article from Caltech, When an electron is in superposition, its different states can be thought of as separate outcomes, each with a particular probability of being observed. An electron might be said to be in a superposition of two different velocities or in two places at once.

Developing qubits offers the potential to store information orders of magnitude greater than what is possible with classical computation. The expectation is that quantum computers will thereby be able to perform operations beyond even todays supercomputers.

The usual suspects are at work developing quantum computers: IBM, Microsoft, Google Amazon, as well as some names youve not heard of. Importantly, theres a budding competition between Chinese and Western developers, part of the larger phenomenon of strategic capitalism, where national governments nurture and protect critical industriesrather than regulate them or, conversely, allow them to roam the globe freelyfrom their geostrategic rivals.

Kevin Klyman reports in Foreign Policy that the Biden administration is not waiting for the full development of the technology to institute export controls.

After controls on semiconductors, the Commerce Department is moving on to the next emerging technology it worries China could weaponize: quantum computing, Klyman says. Export controls on quantum computing hardware, error correction software, and the provision of cloud services to Chinese entities are poised to become the next front in the U.S.-China tech war.

Quantum computers will be able to tackle problems beyond the abilities of todays supercomputers. They will be able to evade most attempts at encryption, and so there will emerge a host of security questions that have yet to be answered. Machine learning and artificial intelligence will no doubt be accelerated. A few years ago, I wrote a book that discussed the limits of AI based largely on the notion that the semiconductors of classical computers would reach a point where they could not be reduced in size any further, that there is only so much processing power that can be confined to such a small space, and that the intelligence of a computer would reach its peak. Quantum Computing offers the possibility of blasting through those physical limits. AI + quantum computing could very well lead us to realize that theoretical possibility of an artificial general intelligence or indeed a super intelligence far beyond that of human intelligence.

The modeling and simulation of complex systems could also be possible with quantum computing. Everything from chemical systems to financial portfolios might be modeled. I have long argued that complex systems, especially, are exquisitely and intrinsically unpredictable, because of their sensitivity to initial conditions, their elaborate feedback loops, and other features that make prediction of the future behaviors of such systems all but impossible. It is more than plausible that quantum computers will permit more confident predictions of the behaviors of such systems.

If that proves the case, there are potential implications for the modeling and prediction of social systems, not just physical systems. If we gain the ability to model and predict, would we also gain the ability to control such systems, including the control over social systems?

In the early 1970s, Chile elected a socialist president, Salvador Allende, who promised to transfer property ownership from the wealthy to the state.In order to manage this socialist economy, Allende turned to Project Cybersyn. This was to be a central command room (opsroom) where data and information from the workings of the economy were to be ingested, analyzed and made available to the decision makers and managers.The system was to be run off a mainframe computer.

In the 1960s, the Soviet Union similarly worked on the idea that cybernetics could be employed to manage the economy, to unleash a consumers paradise to rival the one the West had developed. Allende was deposed in a coup, and so Project Cybersyn never really got off the ground. By the 1980s, free market ideology had taken hold of the Western imagination and the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s seemingly ended any idea that the economy could be managed, even by a cybernetic system.

If quantum computers have the capacity to model, simulate, and potentially control complex systems, might we see a nation attempt something like Project Cybersyn again? Further, we might imagine an authoritarian seeking to extend cybernetic management beyond the economy to include control over society, culture and politics as well.Might quantum computing help to facilitate quantum authoritarianism?

After the PC revolution, we have become accustomed to thinking that all new technologies will eventually be democratized, made abundant and inexpensive and within access to all consumers. A very likely scenario is that at some point quantum computers will power all sorts of consumer-grade tools and applications, and that we will all carry a quantum computer in our pockets.

But it is also possible that quantum computing will remain an exclusive technology. Think of all the technologies we have developed that have not been made consumer-grade. One thinks of MRI scanners or F-16s or nuclear power plants. It is possible that relatively few quantum computers will be produced, and those that are made will be used only by specialists.Quantum computers might similarly remain in the hands of a few, an important infrastructure technology, perhaps, but one that will not be in the hands of consumers.Imagine Amazon Quantum Services.

Even if we dont end up having quantum computers in our homes, it is possible that the idea of the quantum will spread such that it will alter our societal worldview. Think of howafter the rise of the Internetthe concept of the network has reshaped how we see and understand reality. To take but one example, Anne-Marie Slaughter argues that diplomats and international relations scholars have shifted from using game theory to network theory to understand the world.

The idea of the network as a metaphor has had a powerful effect on our worldview. Might quantum become the new cultural metaphor that implicitly shapes our thoughts and actions?The idea of being both-and or having alternate states existing simultaneously might find its way into our everyday language, changing how we view everything from social relations to the operations of the economy to how we teach schoolchildren to the way ideas go viral.

The metaphor of quantum superposition could very well influence the work of artists, the writing of poets and novelists, the actions of corporate boards, and the decisions of policymakerssimultaneously.

David Staley is an associate professor of history and design at The Ohio State University, and is president ofColumbus Futurists.He is the author of Visionary Histories, a collection of his Next futures columns.He was named Best Freelance Writer in 2022 by the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists for his Next column.

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NEXT: Quantum Computing and the Quantum Worldview - Columbus Underground

The Quantum Conundrum: A Threat to Current Encryption

The advent of quantum computers is set to revolutionize not only the computing world but also the landscape of cryptography and cybersecurity. These powerful machines have the potential to render current encryption methods vulnerable, posing a significant threat to the security of sensitive data. Traditional encryption methods like the RSA algorithm and elliptic curve cryptography, once considered secure, can be swiftly cracked by quantum algorithms.

While quantum computing is still in its nascent stages, its implications are far-reaching. Criminal organizations, with the financial means to pursue cutting-edge technologies, are actively exploring the potential of quantum computing. This could empower them to break into encrypted systems faster than ever before, compromising sensitive information, and further eluding authorities.

In light of the vulnerabilities exposed by quantum computing, the focus has shifted towards the development of post-quantum secure encryption. These new cryptographic algorithms are designed to be resistant to quantum attacks, ensuring the security of sensitive data in the face of advancing technology.

However, the transition to quantum-resistant encryption is not without its challenges. Post-quantum cryptography requires larger key sizes, which can have performance implications. Moreover, as quantum technology continues to advance, even quantum-resistant cryptography may become susceptible to attacks, necessitating ongoing research and refinement.

To safeguard against potential risks, it is crucial to strategically select cryptographic algorithms that can withstand quantum attacks. This involves understanding the limitations of post-quantum cryptography and making informed decisions based on the current state of quantum technology. Organizations also need to consider infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the larger key sizes required by post-quantum cryptography.

As we transition to the post-quantum era, it is essential to stay informed about developments in quantum computing. Collaboration is needed to develop post-quantum cryptographic solutions that can withstand the threats posed by quantum computing. Law enforcement agencies, too, need to ramp up efforts to stay abreast of criminal organizations leveraging these technologies for their nefarious purposes.

While the quantum leap in computing poses significant challenges to encryption and cybersecurity, it also opens up new opportunities for innovation and advancement. By staying informed, making strategic decisions, and continuously refining cryptographic algorithms, we can navigate the uncertainties of the quantum era and ensure the security of our digital world.

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The Quantum Conundrum: A Threat to Current Encryption - Medriva

Quantum computing, a revolutionary technology based on the principles of quantum mechanics, is steadily gaining momentum. The technology has the potential to transform various industrial sectors and solve complex challenges in healthcare, finance, cybersecurity, logistics, and artificial intelligence. Despite significant investments and advancements, the technology is still in its nascent stages, and companies are diligently working to overcome obstacles to make practical quantum computing a reality.

Quantum computing operates on the principles of quantum mechanics, which includes phenomena like superposition and entanglement. This allows quantum computers to perform calculations at speeds and scales that are currently unimaginable with conventional computers. However, the technology is still in its infancy, and researchers are addressing numerous challenges, such as quantum error correction and qubit stability, to make quantum computing practical and accessible.

Industry giants such as IBM, Google Quantum AI, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Intel, and D-Wave are at the forefront of developing quantum computing systems and services. IBM, in particular, recently announced significant advancements in quantum processors and platforms at its Quantum Summit 2023, introducing the IBM Heron quantum processor and the IBM Quantum System Two. These advancements in performance, error reduction, and integration of tunable couplers signify a pioneering role in the rapidly evolving field of quantum computing.

Despite the enormous potential of quantum computing, the technology is fraught with challenges. One of the major hurdles is quantum error correction, which is crucial to ensure accurate results from quantum computations. However, a recent breakthrough funded by DARPA and led by Harvard focuses on correcting quantum errors more efficiently. This breakthrough could potentially bring quantum computing to the masses years sooner than expected. The Harvard teams new approach to error correction could make quantum computing four times as powerful as the most advanced quantum chip available today.

Although practical applications of quantum computing are still under research, experts agree that the technology holds great promise. IBM has released an updated Quantum Development Roadmap extending to 2033, outlining a strategic vision for advancing quantum computing technology. Similarly, Microsoft disclosed its roadmap for developing a quantum supercomputer, projecting the achievement within 10 years. These roadmaps reflect the industrys commitment to making quantum computing a reality, potentially revolutionizing every sector, from healthcare to finance.

Despite quantum computers not yet outperforming classical computers in real-world applications, the quantum technology industry has seen significant growth and investment. In 2022 alone, the industry experienced a record year for funding, with significant investments made by the US, EU, Canada, and China. These investments underscore the potential of quantum computing and its expected impact on various sectors.

In conclusion, quantum computing is a revolutionary technology that could potentially transform various sectors. While practical applications are still under research, the continuous investments and advancements in the field suggest that the future of quantum computing is promising. As the technology matures, it could provide solutions to complex challenges in healthcare, finance, cybersecurity, logistics, and artificial intelligence, changing the way we live and work.

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Revolutionary Technology of Quantum Computing: Challenges, Breakthroughs and Future - Medriva