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Quantum computing is almost ready for business, startup says

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Re: Quantum computing is almost ready for business, startup says

#11

Post by z3phyr »

Quantum computers are fine. What we also need to focus on are different kinds/models of computing on a traditional computer. The industry is very very young and there are so many untested, postponed or unfinished ideas that were left in limbo (pun kinda intended) because of the market.

What I would really love to see are some of these computing models brought back to life. Alan Kay's idea of computing looks very interesting albeit very scattered; Exokernels is another interesting thought, which could lead up to very interesting distributed computing model (like an irc, but c stands for computing); Transactional Memory is another. There are a lot of them, and I think they are best served by an organisation in lieu with Bell Labs or Xerox Research..

Re: Quantum computing is almost ready for business, startup says

#12

Post by cosmon0t »

arayh wrote: post #4
hannob wrote: post #2

So we're not yet at a point where we can show that a quantum computer can do anything at all faster than a classical computer - and this guy already plans his datacenter for the upcoming quantum AWS. I'd say he's confusing step 20 with step 2 or something...

We already know that a capable quantum computer can do a lot of things faster than a classical computer and it's undoubtedly going to happen within the next couple decades if not sooner. I think he's just planning ahead and riding the bleeding edge technology. Edit: Thanks everyone for pointing out a flaw in my opinion. For anyone actually interested in delving into the discussion of whether or not quantum computing…

Theranos rode the bleeding edge of technology until they ran out of edge.

Re: Quantum computing is almost ready for business, startup says

#13

Post by paulsutter »

hannob wrote: post #2

So we're not yet at a point where we can show that a quantum computer can do anything at all faster than a classical computer - and this guy already plans his datacenter for the upcoming quantum AWS. I'd say he's confusing step 20 with step 2 or something...

They're designing the computer. They know exactly which problems they are targeting. Yes there's risk, but this isn't proceeding on blind hope.

Re: Quantum computing is almost ready for business, startup says

#14

Post by kryogen1c »

QuinnyPig wrote: post #10
hannob wrote: post #2

So we're not yet at a point where we can show that a quantum computer can do anything at all faster than a classical computer - and this guy already plans his datacenter for the upcoming quantum AWS. I'd say he's confusing step 20 with step 2 or something...

Normally I'd agree with you, but some of the breakthroughs in this space over the last 18 month make it clear that it's not an "if," but a "when." They're positioning to be right there when the moment happens.

Got any sources? I have not seen anything that promises anything.

This reminds me of the carbon nanotube hype, when they we're going to be the best at everything from batteries to bulletproof vests. There are currently 0 CN products on the market, and it is not clear there ever will be.

Betting on an undiscovered technology that isn't proven to exist is far form a sure thing.

Re: Quantum computing is almost ready for business, startup says

#16

Post by joshlegs »

ericand wrote: post #3

Anyone have tips for getting up on the waitlist? I wonder if they are prioritizing researchers.

You can sign up now and be able to use a form of cloud quantum computing. I think to get actual access to the quantum computer, though, you have to explain what you want to use it for. So i'd imagine they are focusing on research projects or other interesting uses.

I went to a presentation by Gwen at SciPy2018 and got to talk to her a little later. They're doing some really cool things with this stuff. I think they're also trying to just get people more used to quantum programming in general. If you haven't looked up their PyQuil language yet, it's definitely worth checking out. https://pyquil.readthedocs.io/en/stable/

Re: Quantum computing is almost ready for business, startup says

#17

Post by reikonomusha »

hannob wrote: post #2

So we're not yet at a point where we can show that a quantum computer can do anything at all faster than a classical computer - and this guy already plans his datacenter for the upcoming quantum AWS. I'd say he's confusing step 20 with step 2 or something...

It might not just be “faster”. It could also be “better” (obtaining more accurate results than you otherwise could), or “cheaper” (obtaining results with less money, less memory, less electricity, ...). Power consumption, for instance, is a huge factor in the design of modern supercomputers and data centers. If you can do useful tasks 50% slower but using 5% of the energy you’d consume with a “full speed” solution, I’d say that’s a win.

Re: Quantum computing is almost ready for business, startup says

#18

Post by twtw »

z3phyr wrote: post #11

Quantum computers are fine. What we also need to focus on are different kinds/models of computing on a traditional computer. The industry is very very young and there are so many untested, postponed or unfinished ideas that were left in limbo (pun kinda intended) because of the market. What I would really love to see are some of these computing models brought back to life. Alan Kay's idea of computing looks very inte…

On a related note, modern GPUs are basically Connection Machines on a chip without the interconnection network.

Re: Quantum computing is almost ready for business, startup says

#19

Post by QuinnyPig »

kryogen1c wrote: post #14
QuinnyPig wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Normally I'd agree with you, but some of the breakthroughs in this space over the last 18 month make it clear that it's not an "if," but a "when." They're positioning to be right there when the moment happens.

Got any sources? I have not seen anything that promises anything. This reminds me of the carbon nanotube hype, when they we're going to be the best at everything from batteries to bulletproof vests. There are currently 0 CN products on the market, and it is not clear there ever will be. Betting on an undiscovered technology that isn't proven to exist is far form a sure thing.

Between Google (https://www.zdnet.com/article/googles-quantum-computing-brea...), Oxford (https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/ne...) and Intel (https://www.extremetech.com/computing/261734-intel-unveils-n...) so far this year alone, indications are becoming increasingly clear that there's something here.

I'd definitely take that bet were I a VC. Note that they've raised about the same amount so far as Juicero did...

Re: Quantum computing is almost ready for business, startup says

#20

Post by z3phyr »

twtw wrote: post #18
z3phyr wrote: post #11

Quantum computers are fine. What we also need to focus on are different kinds/models of computing on a traditional computer. The industry is very very young and there are so many untested, postponed or unfinished ideas that were left in limbo (pun kinda intended) because of the market. What I would really love to see are some of these computing models brought back to life. Alan Kay's idea of computing looks very inte…

On a related note, modern GPUs are basically Connection Machines on a chip without the interconnection network.

Missing just a lisp* system on GPU, which is a very interesting project for thesis
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