Companies, countries battle to develop quantum computers | 60 Minutes
TLDRThe script discusses the revolutionary potential of quantum computing, a technology that could solve complex problems in minutes that would take supercomputers millennia. It explores the science behind quantum bits, or 'qubits', which unlike traditional transistors, can hold an exponential amount of information. The race to develop a reliable quantum computer is highlighted, with major tech companies and nations investing heavily. Quantum computing promises breakthroughs in various fields, including healthcare, with the potential to model protein behavior, a task currently beyond the reach of classical computers.
Takeaways
- 🧙♂️ Artificial intelligence is currently a leading technology, but quantum computing is set to be the next big leap, potentially solving complex problems much faster than current supercomputers.
- 🚀 IBM is on the verge of announcing a significant advancement in quantum computing, which could revolutionize problem-solving capabilities in various fields.
- 🌌 Quantum computing is based on quantum physics, which governs the subatomic realm, and it has the potential to handle an exponential amount of data compared to classical computers.
- 🔬 Dario Gil, head of research at IBM, suggests that quantum computers will continue to expand in capability, eventually outperforming even a network of the world's most powerful supercomputers.
- 💡 The development of quantum computing is likened to the pioneering days of digital computing in the 1940s and 50s, indicating a new era of technological advancement.
- 🔄 Quantum computing abandons traditional transistors in favor of using electrons that can exist in multiple states simultaneously, vastly increasing the amount of information that can be processed.
- 🧠 Physicist Michio Kaku explains that quantum computers can explore all possible solutions to a problem at once, unlike classical computers which must explore each possibility sequentially.
- 🏁 There is a global race to develop a reliable and efficient quantum computer, with major companies and countries investing heavily in this technology.
- ❄️ Quantum computers require extremely low temperatures to operate, near absolute zero, to minimize electrical resistance and isolate the quantum bits from external interference.
- 🔒 Quantum computing poses a significant threat to current encryption standards, as it is expected to be capable of breaking existing codes that secure national secrets and financial transactions.
- 🔮 The potential applications of quantum computing are vast, including modeling protein behavior in healthcare, which could lead to breakthroughs in understanding and treating diseases.
Q & A
What is the significance of the announcement IBM is expected to make about quantum computing?
-IBM is expected to announce an advance in quantum computing that could solve problems in minutes that would take today's supercomputers millions of years, highlighting a significant breakthrough in computing technology.
What is the fundamental principle behind quantum computing?
-Quantum computing is based on quantum physics, which describes the forces of the subatomic realm, allowing it to process information in ways that traditional computers cannot.
How does quantum computing differ from classical computing in terms of processing power?
-Quantum computing uses quantum bits or 'qubits' that can represent multiple states simultaneously, unlike classical bits that are either on or off, resulting in exponential increases in processing power.
What is the current stage of development for quantum computing according to Dario Gil?
-Dario Gil, head of research at IBM, states that quantum systems are now capable of performing certain calculations that would take the world's largest supercomputers an immense amount of time, and the technology is expected to expand further.
What is the historical significance of the transistor in computing?
-The transistor, invented in 1947, allowed computers to process information more efficiently, leading to faster computing as more transistors were integrated onto chips.
How does the concept of 'quantum supremacy' relate to the race for developing a quantum computer?
-Quantum supremacy refers to the point where quantum computers can perform calculations that classical computers cannot, and the race is on among major tech companies to achieve this, as it could potentially dominate the world economy.
What are the technical challenges faced in maintaining coherence in quantum computing?
-Coherence in quantum computing is challenging because it is fleeting and prone to errors. Maintaining coherence and mitigating errors while scaling up to larger systems are significant hurdles in the development of quantum computers.
What is the potential impact of quantum computing on fields like physics, chemistry, engineering, and medicine?
-Quantum computing could provide solutions to problems that are currently considered impossible due to their complexity, offering new insights and advancements in various scientific and medical fields.
How does the Cleveland Clinic plan to utilize quantum computing in healthcare?
-The Cleveland Clinic is exploring the use of quantum computing to model the behavior of proteins, which could lead to breakthroughs in understanding diseases and developing treatments.
What is the current state of encryption standards in relation to quantum computing?
-With the expectation that quantum computers will one day be able to break existing encryption codes, the US is preparing to publish new standards for encryption next year.
What is the vision for the future of quantum computing according to Hartmut Neven?
-Hartmut Neven, the founder of Google's quantum lab, believes that no more fundamental breakthroughs are needed for quantum computing. Instead, incremental improvements and integration of existing technology are required to build larger and more powerful systems.
Outlines
🚀 Quantum Computing: The Next Leap in Computing Power
The script introduces quantum computing as a revolutionary advancement in technology, capable of solving complex problems that would take traditional supercomputers millions of years. It discusses the involvement of tech giants like IBM, Google, and others in developing this technology, which is based on the principles of quantum physics. Dario Gil, IBM's head of research, emphasizes the exponential growth in computing power and the potential for quantum computers to outperform even the most powerful supercomputers. The script also touches on the historical significance of the transistor and how quantum computing moves beyond it by using electrons in a way that allows for an exponential increase in data handling.
🌌 The Quantum Challenge: Coherence and Computational Potential
This paragraph delves into the technical aspects of quantum computing, focusing on the quantum bits or 'cubits' that replace transistors and the exponential increase in computing power they provide. It explains the necessity of maintaining a state of coherence among the cubits, which is challenging due to the fleeting nature of this state and the errors it creates. Hartmut Neven, the founder of Google's Quantum lab, discusses the optimism and progress in overcoming these challenges, with a goal to integrate quantum computing into systems by the end of the decade. The potential applications of quantum computing in solving previously unsolvable problems in various fields are also highlighted.
🔬 Real-World Applications and the Future of Quantum Computing
The script discusses the practical applications of quantum computing, particularly in the field of healthcare, where it could revolutionize the understanding of protein behavior and contribute to solving complex diseases like cancer and autoimmunity. It describes the Cleveland Clinic's use of a quantum computer as a trial to introduce researchers to its capabilities. The paragraph also touches on the learning curve for researchers to communicate with quantum computers and the competitive landscape of quantum computing development, with countries like China and companies like IBM investing heavily in this technology. The potential impact of quantum computing on encryption standards and the unveiling of IBM's Quantum System 2 are also mentioned, along with a philosophical reflection on the significance of understanding the quantum language of the universe.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Artificial Intelligence
💡Quantum Computing
💡Quantum Physics
💡Supercomputer
💡Transistor
💡Quantum Bits (Qubits)
💡Coherence
💡Quantum Supremacy
💡Encryption
💡Proteins
💡Quantum System 2
Highlights
IBM is set to announce a breakthrough in quantum computing, potentially solving problems in minutes that would take today's supercomputers millions of years.
Quantum computing is based on quantum physics, which describes the subatomic realm, and is being developed by tech giants like IBM, Google, and others.
Quantum computers have the potential to transform civilization with their ability to handle complex calculations at unprecedented speeds.
Dario Gil, IBM's head of research, discusses the current capabilities of quantum systems and their potential to far exceed the capabilities of the world's best supercomputers.
Quantum computing uses quantum bits or 'qubits' that can exist in multiple states simultaneously, unlike traditional transistors which are binary.
Physicist Michio Kaku explains the difference between classical and quantum computing, likening it to a maze where quantum computers can explore all possible paths at once.
The race to develop a reliable and efficient quantum computer is fierce, with major global players like China, IBM, Google, Microsoft, and Honeywell competing.
Google's Quantum lab in California showcases the technology behind quantum computing, including the use of 'cubits' that function as artificial atoms.
Maintaining coherence in quantum computers is a significant challenge due to the fragile nature of qubits and their susceptibility to errors.
Hartmut Nevan, founder of Google's Quantum lab, expresses optimism about overcoming the current obstacles in quantum computing and achieving a fully functional system by the end of the decade.
Dario Gil from IBM suggests that there are problems so complex that classical computers will never be able to solve them, necessitating the development of quantum computing.
Quantum computing could revolutionize fields like physics, chemistry, engineering, and medicine by providing solutions to previously impossible problems.
IBM and Cleveland Clinic have installed one of the first quantum computers outside of a lab environment to explore its potential in healthcare and disease modeling.
The Cleveland Clinic is using quantum computing to understand protein behavior, which could lead to breakthroughs in treating diseases like cancer and autoimmunity.
Researchers using quantum computers are finding that they can program them using familiar methods, but the computations are performed on a fundamentally different kind of computer.
China has made quantum computing a top national priority, and the US government is investing heavily in research, with the first changes expected in encryption standards due to quantum's potential to break existing codes.
IBM is unveiling its Quantum System 2, which has three times the qubits of previous models and the potential to scale up to thousands or even hundreds of thousands of qubits.
Physicist Michio Kaku concludes by emphasizing that quantum computing is not just about speed; it's about understanding and utilizing the fundamental language of the universe itself.
Transcripts
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