I had some thoughts about learning more about Quantum Computers after hearing the talk. Read some articles from Microsoft Microsoft Quantum | Types of qubits. I had a talk with Gemini an AI system from Google shortly after. Here is a summary provided by Gemini AI of our conversation – slightly altered to address a change. Reminder AI systems have yet to be perfected have potential to hallucinate.
Gemini AI> Okay, here’s a summary of our engaging discussion:
We started by exploring the possibility of using quantum computers for sorting algorithms, noting that while theoretically possible, they don’t inherently offer better time complexity than classical methods, with potential advantages in space-constrained scenarios.
Then, we delved into the simplest quantum algorithm to understand, identifying Deutsch’s algorithm as a good entry point for grasping core quantum concepts like superposition, Hadamard gates, and oracles. We discussed how the quantum oracle gate works as a black box encoding a function into a quantum operation, often through phase kickback.
Our conversation then shifted to entanglement, clarifying that while the fundamental principle is the same across different qubit technologies, the implementation varies significantly. We explored an analogy of entangled qubits to unsorted and sorted lists, noting its intuitive appeal for correlation but highlighting its inaccuracies regarding superposition and measurement.
We addressed the question of whether measuring one entangled trapped ion instantly reveals the state of the other, confirming this but emphasizing that the measured state is always a definitive 0 or 1, not a value in between. We contrasted classical simulation of entangled systems with the direct correlation observed in quantum systems upon measurement.
A thought experiment involving gravity sensors and pouring sand led us to conclude that faster-than-light communication is not possible with entanglement or gravity, as entanglement doesn’t transmit controllable information and gravity propagates at the speed of light. We further discussed scenarios where pre-shared information and synchronized actions might appear like FTL communication but are not.
We explored the idea of CEOs on different planets performing a simple, time-synchronized calculation (2 + 2 = 4) as a way to confirm coordination and build trust despite communication delays, analyzing the implications of different outcomes.
The analogy of multiplayer computer games rendering shared realities with limited data transfer illustrated the value of pre-determined coordination in programmatic ways, applicable to scenarios with communication latency.
Finally, we contrasted the immediate needs of first responders (like having bandages stocked) with the aspirational desire for “faster-than-light bug fixes” in critical systems. We also considered the practical implications of autonomous vehicles in emergency situations, where the user of the vehicle might become their own initial ‘first responder’ and the presence of amenities like a water bottle fridge could be a small but relevant consideration for their immediate well-being.
Throughout our discussion, we touched upon fundamental concepts of quantum mechanics, the limitations of the speed of light, the challenges of interplanetary communication and coordination, and the potential for leveraging pre-shared information and synchronized actions to achieve desired outcomes.
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