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a16z Podcast | Quantum Computing, Now and Next
23 segments available
Moore's Law -- putting more and more transistors on a chip -- accelerated the computing industry by so many orders of magnitude, it has (and continues to) achieve seemingly impossible feats. However, we're now resorting to brute-force hacks to keep pushing it beyond its limits and are getting closer to the point of diminishing returns (especially given costly manufacturing infrastructure). Yet this very dynamic is leading to "a Cambrian explosion" in computing capabilities… just look at what's happening today with GPUs, FPGAs, and neuromorphic chips. Through such continuing performance improvements and parallelization, classic computing continues to reshape the modern world. But we're so focused on making our computers do more that we're not talking enough about what classic computers can't do -- and that's to compute things the way nature does, which operates in quantum mechanics. So our smart machines are really quite dumb, argues Rigetti Computing founder and CEO Chad Rigetti; they're limited to human-made binary code vs. the natural reality of continuous variables. This in turn limits our ability to work on problems that classic computers can't solve, such as key applications in computational chemistry or large-scale optimization for machine learning and artificial intelligence. Which is where quantum computing comes in. But what is quantum computing, really -- beyond the history and the hype? And where are we in reaching the promise of practical quantum computers? (Hint: it will take a hybrid approach to get there.) Who are the players -- companies, countries, types of people/skills -- working on it, and how can a startup compete in this space? Finally, what will it take to get "the flywheel" of application development and discovery going? Part of the answer comes full circle to the same economic engine that drove previous computing advances, argues Chris Dixon; Moore's Law, after all, is more of an economic principle that combined the forces of capitalism, a critical mass of ideas, and people moving things forward by sheer will. Quantum computing is finally getting pulled into the same economic forces as well.
Segments Timeline
The Quantum Leap in Computing
In this segment, the podcast introduces the exciting advancements in quantum computing and its implications for the future of technology. The discussion begins with Moore's Law and its impact on computing capabilities, setting the stage for understanding the limitations of classical computing and the potential of quantum technologies.
"hi everyone welcome to the a 6mz podcast I am sonal today we're talking about one of the most exciting advances in the history of computing and next platforms quantum computing we start by talking abo..."
A Historical Perspective on Computing
Chad Rigetti provides a historical overview of computing, tracing its evolution from World War II to the present day. He highlights key milestones, including the PC revolution and the rise of the internet, emphasizing the continuous advancements in hardware and the significance of quantum computing as the next frontier.
"industry and then we cover what is quantum computing and where are we right now in the practical reality of what people can actually do it that including what the first applications will be especially..."
Moore's Law and Its Limits
The conversation delves into Moore's Law, discussing its historical significance and the challenges it faces today. Rigetti explains how the scaling of silicon-based devices has led to unprecedented computing power, but also highlights the physical and economic limits that are emerging as technology advances.
"you know the PC revolution began the 70s and 80s Internet in the sort of 80s 90s mobile phones now right sort of in the heart of that revolution and you know you're working on this one new thing quant..."
Transistor Technology and Its Evolution
This segment focuses on the evolution of transistor technology, detailing how the size and efficiency of transistors have drastically improved over the decades. Rigetti explains the implications of these advancements for computing power and the challenges posed by heat generation and power density.
"law scaling of those of the silicon based devices that have led to really an almost impossible scaling of the power that these microchips have and they have completely changed the world but that reall..."
The Diminishing Returns of Parallel Computing
Rigetti discusses the concept of diminishing returns in parallel computing, explaining how increasing the number of processors does not always lead to proportional increases in efficiency. He introduces Amdahl's Law, which describes the limitations of parallelization in computational tasks.
"20 nanometers in size to put that in context a human hair is about 10 or 20 microns I think so a thousand times larger and 10 nanometers is about a hundred atoms wide and a transistor by the way corre..."
Economic Challenges in Semiconductor Manufacturing
The podcast highlights the economic challenges associated with semiconductor manufacturing, particularly the high costs of building advanced fabrication facilities. Rigetti emphasizes how these economic pressures shape competitive dynamics in the industry and influence innovation.
"in zeros and ones in digital binary and those transistors represent that information so you can represent a massive amount of tree of information on these chips and we've also learned how to wire toge..."
The Future of Moore's Law
In this segment, Rigetti explores the future of Moore's Law, discussing potential breakthroughs and the role of specialized chips in sustaining technological advancement. He reflects on the ongoing reliance on brute-force acceleration and the need for innovative solutions in computing.
"are many there's a constellation of challenges that it's more than just a physical size one is the power density on a chip so when you when you switch the memory state of a transistor you generate som..."
The Cambrian Explosion of Computing
Rigetti describes the current state of the computing industry as a 'Cambrian explosion,' where new technologies and innovations are emerging rapidly. He discusses how companies are investing in manufacturing infrastructure to create chips that rival traditional supercomputers, highlighting the transformative potential of quantum computing.
"multiple cores your iPhone does but these are essentially multiple computers running in parallel and then that at a larger scale is a data center which might have you know 10,000 of these or something..."
The Role of Neuromorphic Computing
The conversation shifts to neuromorphic computing, with Rigetti explaining its significance in the context of machine learning. He discusses how advancements in neuromorphic chips and GPUs are reshaping the landscape of computing and enhancing parallel processing capabilities.
"in parallel you get a diminishing returns because not every step in the computation can be effectively paralyzed some of them just have to happen serially and so the basic approach of building more mo..."
Limitations of Classical Computing
In this segment, Rigetti emphasizes the limitations of classical computing, particularly in solving complex problems that require quantum approaches. He sets the stage for discussing the unique capabilities of quantum computing and its potential applications in various fields.
"world that kind of that can afford to do that so the competitive dynamics have been shaped by that by this economics one counter-argument to this is from the outside Moore's law looked like a law of n..."
Moore's Law: The Economic Engine of Computing
In this segment, the discussion revolves around Moore's Law as an economic principle that drives rapid advancements in the computing industry. The speaker highlights how the excitement around machine learning and quantum computing is pulling these technologies into the same economic forces that have historically propelled computing forward, leading to a Cambrian explosion in capabilities.
"Moore's law is an economic principle yes which is when the computing industry really cares about something and the economic engine gets going things tend to get better very quickly and so you see this..."
The Cambrian Explosion of Computing Technologies
This segment explores the current state of the semiconductor industry and the resulting Cambrian explosion in computing technologies. The speaker discusses how companies are investing significantly in manufacturing infrastructure, leading to chips that rival supercomputers, and highlights the advancements in neuromorphic chips and GPUs that are reshaping modern computing.
"and what we're seeing now is that quantum computing is getting pulled into that into that ecosystem is beginning to be driven by the same the same economic forces that have been driving other other fo..."
The Limitations of Classical Computing
Here, the conversation shifts to the limitations of classical computing systems. The speaker argues that traditional computers operate in a binary manner, which restricts their ability to solve complex problems that quantum computers can tackle, emphasizing the need for a new approach to computing that aligns with the natural laws of quantum mechanics.
"really shaped the world but ultimately there is a conversation that is not happening today around all the things that computers do not do and well our you know the our laptops and our super computers ..."
Understanding Quantum Computing
This segment delves into the fundamentals of quantum computing, explaining how it encodes information in quantum mechanical states. The speaker outlines the advantages of quantum computing over classical methods, particularly in terms of continuous variables and exponential growth in computational power with the addition of quantum bits.
"ultimately the universe itself in nature at the lowest level operates on quantum mechanics and that's kind of the Machine language that nature uses so tell us what is quantum computing and maybe if yo..."
Applications of Quantum Computing
In this segment, the speaker discusses the potential applications of quantum computing, particularly in computational chemistry and optimization problems. The conversation highlights how quantum computers can simulate quantum systems and solve complex problems that are currently infeasible for classical computers, paving the way for breakthroughs in various fields.
"and why is representing data in a quantum particle the quantum state why is that advantageous to the traditional method there's really two core reasons that it comes down to the first is that quantum ..."
The Future of Quantum Computing and Its Unforeseen Applications
The final segment reflects on the unpredictable nature of technological advancements. The speaker emphasizes the importance of being open to unforeseen applications of quantum computing, drawing parallels to past predictions about computers. This segment captures the excitement and potential of quantum technology as it evolves and integrates into various industries.
"else's lifetime what are some examples of computational problems that you could solve with a quantum computer and you couldn't with a classical computer I think there's really two categories that we'r..."
Hybrid Algorithms: The Future of Quantum and Classical Computing
The segment explores the concept of hybrid algorithms that combine quantum and classical computing. Rigetti explains how these algorithms leverage the strengths of both computing paradigms, allowing quantum processors to excel in specific tasks while classical systems handle the rest, paving the way for practical applications in quantum computing.
"entire life's and when we as we build these systems and as the industry itself develops I think one of the things that I'm most excited about is watching the unforeseen applications start to materiali..."
The State of Quantum Computing Research
Rigetti provides an overview of the current state of quantum computing research, discussing the challenges of building practical quantum computers. He highlights the importance of coherence in quantum systems and the progress made in increasing the quantum coherent lifetime of devices, which is crucial for reliable computations.
"exciting application because it it really puts the quantum processor in a position where it's doing the thing that it's exceptionally good at and in insane for the classical computing hardware you hav..."
The Global Race in Quantum Computing
This segment delves into the global landscape of quantum computing research, highlighting significant efforts from major players like IBM and Google, as well as emerging contributions from countries like China and institutions in Europe. Rigetti emphasizes the collaborative nature of this field and its potential to reshape industries worldwide.
"long time this is coherence this is quantum coherence when I started my PhD in 2002 I think there's one or two groups in the world that had ever built and demonstrated a superconducting qubit with a m..."
Building a Quantum Computing Workforce
Rigetti describes the diverse talent pool at Rigetti Computing, showcasing the range of expertise from physicists to engineers. He discusses the importance of interdisciplinary skills in advancing quantum technology and how the company integrates various talents to tackle the challenges of building quantum computers.
"ecosystem is it kind of comes up we often use that term everyday and it doesn't sink in that hey it's called Silicon Valley because of silicon microchips so I picture a quantum computing company I ima..."
Competing with Giants in Quantum Tech
Rigetti addresses the challenges startups face in competing with established tech giants in quantum computing. He argues that building a company from scratch allows for a unique organizational culture and focus on solving specific technological problems, drawing an analogy to the rise of Tesla in the electric vehicle market.
"many different fields when do you think regular companies people will have access to quantum computers the idea is around neural networks and deep learning have been around for twenty thirty years peo..."
The Threat of Quantum Computing to Cryptography
The discussion turns to the implications of quantum computing on cryptography, particularly referencing Shor's algorithm. Rigetti explains the potential for quantum computers to break current encryption methods, while also noting that the most exciting applications of quantum technology lie beyond cryptography, such as advancements in AI and healthcare.
"applications and working with early customers in these core application areas that we discussed and in really engaging with folks to to kind of kick off the flywheel of application development and dis..."
Quantum Computing's Impact on Healthcare and AI
Rigetti concludes by highlighting the transformative potential of quantum computing in various fields, particularly in healthcare and artificial intelligence. He discusses how quantum technology could revolutionize drug design, energy generation, and food production, emphasizing its far-reaching implications for humanity.
"one electric car company there's one that matters there's an economic angle to this too and the economic angle is that quantum computing sounds hard but it is very much a you know we're knowledge work..."