💰Quantum Computers Explained

Published:

October 20, 2023

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Hey there, Manav here! ✨ Every week, I'll be sharing my thoughts on productivity, life lessons, and helpful tips.

This weekly newsletter is my way of reflecting on life and keeping track of the fascinating things I discover or come to understand.

3D Printing Explained

Quantum Computers Explained

There was a recent Black Mirror Episode “Joan is awful” where they use quantum computers to create infinite content based on real lives of real people that renders in real time.

Well I wanted to understand what are quantum computers? or “Quamputer”

Understanding quantum computing requires first understanding quantum physics, which changes our conventional understanding of reality.

In the classical computing world, everything is binary.

Bits, the fundamental units of data, can either be in a state of 0 or 1.

Well in quantum computers we have

A qubit, the quantum version of a classical bit, can be both 0 and 1 simultaneously.

This ability to exist in multiple states at once allows quantum computers to process a vast number of possibilities simultaneously.

Example:

Imagine reading a book in the traditional way, one word at a time.

Now imagine being able to read every word, on every page, all at the same time. That's the kind of radical speed-up quantum computers could potentially offer.

Another crucial concept in quantum computing is entanglement, a phenomenon that allows qubits to be linked together in such a way that the state of one qubit can instantly affect the state of another, regardless of the distance between them. It’s like having two magic dice that, no matter how far apart they are, always land on the same number.

This connection helps make quantum computers incredibly powerful compared to their classical counterparts.

Origin Story:

The idea of quantum computing was first proposed in the early 1980s by physicist Richard Feynman.

He suggested that a quantum computer would be able to simulate things that a classical computer could not. In 1994, Peter Shor, a mathematician at Bell Labs, developed an algorithm that could use a quantum computer to quickly factor large numbers into primes, a problem that classical computers struggle with.

This marked a significant step forward in the field.

Real world Applications:

Quantum computers have the potential to revolutionize numerous industries. For instance, they could expedite the drug discovery process by simulating molecular behavior more accurately.

In financial modeling, they could analyze market conditions in real-time for more precise forecasts. However, the technology is still in its early days, and significant hurdles remain to be overcome, such as the problem of maintaining qubits' delicate state and managing errors in calculations.

One exciting fact about quantum computers is their ultra-cool operating temperature. To maintain the fragile state of qubits, quantum computers have to be cooled to temperatures close to absolute zero (roughly -273.15°C), colder than the vacuum of space. It's like having a piece of outer space right here on Earth!

In conclusion, quantum computing offers a profound leap in processing power, opening up new horizons for technological advancements. While this technology may sound like the stuff of science fiction, it's rapidly becoming a reality, promising to reshape the future of numerous fields from healthcare to finance and beyond.

Understanding the basics of quantum computing, such as superposition and entanglement, enables us to appreciate the potential of this incredible technology. Despite its complexity, the quantum world is full of intrigue and limitless potential, ready to be harnessed for our future endeavors.

Add an analogy:

Quantum computing in relation to gaming can be likened to transitioning from a game of checkers to a game of 3D chess.

In a standard game of checkers, you're working with simple moves on a two-dimensional board, much like classical computers process information in binary states - ones and zeroes. Each piece (bit) can either be a king or not, similar to how each bit in a classical computer can be either a 1 or a 0.

On the other hand, 3D chess dramatically amplifies the complexity and possibilities. The multiple levels allow for a vast number of potential moves and strategies at any given time. Similarly, quantum computers, with their qubits, operate using superposition, enabling them to exist in multiple states (like multiple levels in 3D chess) at once and process vast amounts of data simultaneously.

Furthermore, just as pieces in 3D chess can interact in ways not possible in the traditional game due to the added dimension, quantum computers have the property of entanglement. This phenomenon allows qubits to be linked together in a way that the state of one can instantly affect the state of another, regardless of the distance between them. This is akin to having a chess piece move on one level of the 3D chess board instantly triggering a move on another level.

In essence, if classic computers are like playing a simple game of checkers, quantum computers are like the complex and multi-layered game of 3D chess - opening up new dimensions and possibilities for strategic moves and outcomes.

Here’s why your work feels dreadful 🧵

Have you ever wondered why Siri only springs into action when you say "Hey Siri"? And also Is it listening to everything you're saying?

Well according to apple it's not. Here's how it works:

Listening for "Hey Siri": Siri uses a tech trick called hotword detection. It's on the lookout for its name, but isn't recording your every word.
Doing the work on your device: When you say "Hey Siri," your device processes the audio to confirm you said the magic words. This happens right on device without any data sent to Apple.
Privacy first: If Siri hears "Hey Siri," it records what you say next and sends that to Apple's servers for processing. But don't worry, Apple takes your privacy seriously. They remove any direct links to your Apple ID from this data, and you can choose whether this information is used to make Siri better.

Local Processing: When you say something, the audio is processed locally on your device (iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch) to detect if the wake word "Hey Siri" has been spoken. This processing is done locally and does not involve sending any data to Apple's servers. This is why Siri can respond even when you're not connected to the internet.
Privacy Controls: If the wake word is detected, then the audio that follows (your command or question to Siri) is recorded and sent to Apple's servers for further processing. This is when Siri tries to understand your request and provide a response. It's important to note that Apple has implemented several privacy controls for this process. For example, the data is anonymized (not directly linked to your Apple ID), and users have control over whether or not their Siri interactions are used to improve Siri's voice recognition.
Neural Networks: The technology behind Siri's ability to recognize and respond to a wide range of commands is based on machine learning, specifically deep neural networks. This allows Siri to understand natural language and respond in a way that feels more conversational.

Business idea of the week:

Create a marketplace for jet owners to rent out to instructors.

Do a revenue share model and create an affiliate structure to help instructors sell more jets.

Action Items: