Quantum Summit - Panel Discussion

[@Durzo1259]

Just an interesting note: Moore's law isn't exactly approaching an end after all. Computers currently run on the transmission of electrons, which are much slower than photons (light). We've basically - just recently - finished the first prototypes of *photonic* processors which uses photon's transmitting information through laser beams which are split into multiple channels to allow for multi-core processing. If I recall correctly (I know I'm accurate within a few decimal points), photonic computers will be able to process information about 2.3-2.6 times faster.

[@MarcGyverIt]

+Durzo In addition, there are other ways that data transmission is being sped up, even more important than how quickly a particle can travel from point a to point b.

[@Durzo1259]

Marc Stinebaugh Do you remember some of the cooler examples off the top of your head?

[@MarcGyverIt]

+Durzo For instance, parallel computing is a way to speed up the processing of data, without actually speeding up the rate at which the data is transmitted from one place to another for the desired result, (ex. electrons over copper vs photons over fiber or through a laser). This gives the same net effect of a faster transmission of data, simply by speeding up the way we process it. So, while the speed at which we can transmit data is important, the speed at which we can actually do something with it is equally as important, if not more.

[@Durzo1259]

Marc Stinebaugh Okay I see what you were saying now; thanks for elaborating. And yep, I don't think you even have to say "*if* not more" - the answer is that expanding parallel processing capabilities simply carries *more* potential. We've already proven that by having multi-core processors with more than 2.6 cores. *However*, these concepts will inevitably switch places and that's probably not too far away. The giant obstruction to multi-core processing expansion is even harder to overcome than Moore's Law, since this problem takes the form Thermodynamic Law. We've already pushed the limits of heat-dispersal to crazy levels with brilliant innovations, and those limits are exponentially approaching their end *fast*. As we all know, we can't just keep jamming our desktop computers with dozens and dozens of processors without ending up with a pile of molten components. We're now at the point where accomplishing the heat-dispersal for significant CPU expansion is becoming the most implausibly-difficult physics puzzle of all time. It's the same reason we can never create armour that can stand-up to our most powerful weapons. It's also why they've already built a fusion power plant that can produce 5x more power than the whole world combined on a per-second basis, but only sustain it for 1/20-billionth of a second: taking-in & processing energy is always *way* harder than creating and delivering it. Photonic processors will have the added advantage of significantly reduced thermo-entropic output (think electricity vs light), reducing the need for even more advanced (and economical) heat sinks. And when we do reach that thermal limit while expanding parallel processing capabilities, it'll mean a much larger number of processors that can be jammed into our computers before things overhead, and about 2.6x the speed on a per-processor basis. Not to mention the cherry on top: photons will wear-and-tear our components less than ions which translates to longer product lifespans. So all in all, I'd still say that photonic computing carries much more speed-increase potential than PP expansion due to the thermoregulation limits that are more obstructive to increases than anything by far.

[@paulosullivan3472]

I would love to be able to see more of the discussions from the event, perhaps in the future if they were not recorded on this occasion? Also really liked to hear that google will be open sourcing the code to help emulate quantum computing! I think engaging a wider community will encourage thoughts and new approaches which may not have been considered before.

[@paxdriver]

Great job, instant subscriber. Thanks much

[@lizstrahle44]

One of the panelists mentioned simulating the behavior of the spin of phosphorus in bones. It would also be interesting to simulate the behavior of the spin of the other elements found in the human body such as oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, potassium, sodium, chlorine, magnesium, and sulfur if that's possible.

[@drgzy3839]

i cant believe no one has mentioned this google guys shoes

[@pccalhoun]

Sometimes he wears a whole chrome suit. It's amazing.

[@deeplearningpartnership]

Interesting talk.

[@fairysox221]

Google have clearly got the most talented and intellectual guy, Based on his shoes !

[@sg2massive]

This smells of baked beans