Quantum Computing: Today, Tomorrow, & You

Quantum computing has captured global attention as Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems demand ever-increasing computing power. Yet, the dream of achieving quantum advantage faces a significant hurdle: the difficulty of building scalable quantum hardware. These challenges raise a critical question - how can we prepare for the computing power of the future while working within the limits of today’s technology?

This talk will draw compelling parallels between the history of classical computing and the rapid developments in quantum computing, showcasing breakthroughs such as Microsoft’s Majorana One Quantum chip and other ecosystem milestones. By viewing today’s progress through the lens of history, we gain perspective on how far we have come and where the next wave of innovation may take us.

Looking ahead, we will explore the kinds of problems quantum computing promises to solve, the expected hardware breakthroughs on the horizon, and most importantly, how attendees can position themselves to benefit from this evolution. From understanding emerging quantum programming languages to engaging with active communities shaping the field, participants will leave with practical insights on using the tools and resources of today to prepare for the quantum-powered future that lies ahead.

Transcript

1. Jos, Nigeria Oluwatobi Akanji Software Engineer Quantum Computing: Today, Tomorrow, & You
6. Quantum Computing • Superposed & Entanglement • Non-deterministic outcomes
7. Qubit
11. Quantum Advantage
13. Why Quantum Computing
16. Physics of the Future (2011) “Today, your cell phone has more computer power than all of NASA back in 1969, when it sent two astronauts to the moon.” - Michio Kaku
17. Apollo Guidance Computer • 4KB RAM • 72KB of ROM • used on the historic Apollo 11 mission in 1969, which successfully landed humans on the Moon Jos, Nigeria
18. Jos, Nigeria Solve problems classical computers struggle to solve in reasonable time
19. Challenges
20. 01 Noise Quantum computers are extremely susceptible to noise
21. 02 Scalability The ability to increase the number of qubits in a quantum system to enable more complex problems to be solved.
22. 03 Cost Quantum computers are expensive and require very specialized environments to operate
23. 04 Talent Requires a deep understanding of quantum mechanics, computer science, and engineering, profiles in which there is already a shortage of individual talent.
24. Rings a bell?
25. First Generation Computer Challenges
26. • Large number of vacuum tubes required • Produced enormous amounts of heat requiring cooling • Large and heavy • Specialised usage. Used to break German codes during WWII Jos, Nigeria
27. Corporate Interests
29. • exploring how to integrate quantum computing into products and services • deep research projects and develop patents and quantum products • develop real world use cases to improve processes and prepare for a quantum-secure economy
31. • quantum AI hardware with the Willow chip • advanced software for quantum systems, Cirq ◦ python software library
33. Majorana 1 • architecture offers a clear path to fit a million qubits on a single chip
35. • Qiskit, most popular and performant software stack for quantum computing and algorithms research ◦ python software library • Qiskit advocate program, delivers resources and pathways for the next generation of quantum community leaders.
37. You Søren Kierkegaard
39. • Learn Python • IBM Qiskit Advocate Program, community committed to shaping the future of quantum computing
47. Jos, Nigeria
48. Jos, Nigeria
49. Oluwatobi Akanji @AkanjiTobiS
50. References • Photo by Sumeet Singh on Unsplash • Photo by Pavlo Talpa on Unsplash • Apollo The DSKEY input module (right) shown alongside the Apollo Guidance Computer's main casing (left). By The original uploader was Grabert at German Wikipedia. - Transferred from de.wikipedia to Commons by henristosch., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3984038 • Photo by Steve Sullivant on Unsplash • TED-Ed Schrödinger's cat: A thought experiment in quantum mechanics - Chad Orzel https://youtu.be/UjaAxUO6-Uw?si=0g7NkerLNXgoV_V5