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Businesses must be more aware of the data requirements for artificial intelligence (AI), and use this period of focus on AI risks to prepare for the quantum computing threat.

Thats according to John Roese, global chief technology officer (CTO) at Dell, who shines a light on the main challenges businesses face when adopting AI models, and the lessons they can learn from the deployment of generative AI.

Roese acknowledges the computing bottleneck associated with training AI models, but denies this is the main hurdle holding businesses back when deploying the technology.

The bigger issue for an enterprise use of a large language model (LLM) is in order to train it, you have to have access to the right data and provide the data to the training infrastructure, he tells ITPro at Dell Technologies World 2023. Most customers have not done enough work on their data management.

As an example of good data management, Roese cites Dells work over the past four years to eliminate non-inclusive language from its content library and internal code environment. These include labels like whitelist and blacklist.

If an LLM was trained on the firms content repository, Roese explains, it would be unlikely to not incorporate the biases of these words. Firms that dont curate data before using it to train AI models intended for products such as chatbots could inadvertently create services that reflect an inherent racism or misogyny, as demonstrated by Microsofts Tay scandal.

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Roese has been global CTO for products and operations at Dell Technologies since September 2019. He worked in a similar capacity at Dell EMC for the previous seven years, first as CTO between 2012 and 2016, then as CTO and EVP for cross-product operations.

If you want to create a chatbot or an LLM that reflects your dataset, it will reflect your dataset the good, the bad, and the ugly and its important to know that you've created a dataset that is reflecting your values.

Roese also notes LLMs work best with unstructured data, as neural networks seek to create connections of their own rather than relying on arbitrary structures. As a result, he says, businesses need to ensure that their data is sitting in the right place to be used for training to avoid having to spend lots of time restructuring data down the line.

Are the majority of firms aware of these requirements at present? No, they're not, Roese admits. And that's very disturbing to be perfectly honest.

Generative AI has been hailed as one of the most significant technological developments of the century. At Dell Technologies World 2023, CEO Michael Dell compared it to the invention of the internet or PC.

Everybody's talking about generative AI as if it is the destination but it isnt."

In recent months, many have highlighted the risks of generative AI, with analysts calling it an existential threat, and pioneers calling for a temporary development pause.

But Roese recommends businesses use the big upheaval generative AI has triggered as a learning experience to better position themselves for future technologies that will disrupt the sector to a far greater extent.

Everybody's talking about generative AI as if it is the destination but it isnt, Roese stresses, arguing people are so shell-shocked by the headline-grabbing technology that they have failed to give proper thought to what comes next. The answer to that is actually quite simple in my mind, it's quantum, he continues.

The primary use case for quantum, Roese explains, is clear: quantum machine learning. He notes while generative AI is branded as disruptive and sparking fear in some, its just the logical progression of existing technologies.

Imagine if it now ran at five orders of magnitude higher performance. And that, inevitably, is coming.

What is the 'steal now, crack later' threat?

Although we don't expect quantum computers to be widely available for many years, cyber criminals are already stealing encrypted data in the hopes of gaining access in the future.

Read more

Maintaining cyber security in the face of developments in quantum computing is something that will become increasingly important as we approach the 2030s.

Experts suggest its a matter of if, not when, standards such as AES encryption break down, for example. Once encryption is cracked, the security of data will be wholly undermined.

The private sector isnt alone in the race to quantum, as many nation-states have already announced huge investments aimed at proactive quantum development and adoption.

In the Spring Statement, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt announced a 900 million ($1.1 billion) fund for quantum computing research, as part of a wider 2.5 billion ($3.1 billion) investment program for UK quantum.

Companies will have to navigate this disruption in the near future, Roese warns, and would do well to use the choppy waters of generative AI as a dress rehearsal for weathering the coming storm of quantum computing.

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Dell CTO: AI is nothing compared to the oncoming quantum storm - ITPro

Theres no doubt that quantum technology has the power to revolutionize many aspects of life. It might not be what Quantum Leap made it seem, but from finance to computing and cryptography to new drug discoveries, this field of technology holds endless possibilities. It comes as no surprise then that countries such as China, Russia, and the US have dedicated quantum programs to advance their progress further and faster than ever.

In recent times, China has gained the advantage in terms of quantum research. Although some in scientific and political circles dismiss Chinas recent progress, there is growing concern over Chinas quantum domination.

The US is especially worried about recent news of Chinas quantum computing developments. As recently as the turn of the 21st century, the US was well ahead of China in quantum technology. However, reduced federal funding for quantum research between 2005 and 2015 is thought to be the reason for a reversal of power.

The primary concern is Chinas capability to develop a quantum computer that could crack the United States most secure codes. Then theres possible advancements in the Chinese military and the countrys industrial capacities outpacing the US.

Lets take a step back to January 2023 for a moment. Japan and the Netherlands, two of the top manufacturers of equipment for the fabrication of semiconductors, agreed to enforce the semiconductor export constraints on China set by the United States in October 2022. Although the agreement was only made in principle, it stonewalled Chinas advancement of semiconductors and impeded the countrys drive for high-tech self-sufficiency.

Following the restrictions on semiconductors, the Commerce Department shifted its focus towards the next cutting-edge technology it perceives as a potential weapon in the hands of China: quantum computing. Controls on the export of quantum computing equipment, the offering of cloud services to Chinese entities, and error correction software are positioned to become the next battleground in the technological conflict between the United States and China.

In September 2022, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan outlined the policy to protect its advantage over China. He emphasized the need for the United States to maintain a substantial lead over competitors, particularly China, and proposed the implementation of export controls. The aim was to preserve a significant advantage in critical areas such as quantum computing. Without such an advantage, it could potentially grant China military and economic benefits, including the development of cyber weapons and accelerated drug discovery. Consequently, the enforcement of comprehensive independent export controls on China were introduced.

But these constraints have not slowed down Chinas emergence as a quantum mechanics superpower. Today, experts have cautioned that the emergence of a powerful quantum computer could render current encryption methods ineffective. In response, President Joe Biden issued a national security memorandum, mandating federal agencies to transition to post-quantum cryptography by 2035. The objective is to ensure that the United States stays ahead in the realm of cryptography and maintains robust security measures in the face of potential quantum computing advancements.

The implications of Chinas emergence in the quantum computing field could be far-reaching. The threat to National Security is the number one concern. Quantum computing could potentially break encryption algorithms that safeguard classified information and secure communications. If China develops powerful quantum computers capable of cracking encryption, which some say it already has, it could pose a significant threat to U.S. intelligence and military operations.

There is also the economic side of the table. Quantum computing is expected to have a profound impact on industries and economies worldwide. It could provide a competitive edge in areas like finance, logistics, and advanced manufacturing. If China leads in quantum computing, it could gain a significant advantage in these sectors, potentially impacting the U.S. economy and job market.

To combat the national threat, the US must accelerate its quantum program. It must focus on industry participation, policy actions, and near-term defense. Although funding has been cut, $1.3 billion of federal funding was authorized in 2019 across the span of five years. Its goal? To invest in quantum development and research. Most of this money goes to academic universities and national laboratories to research and develop quantum test beds, quantum curricula, and build a quantum workforce.

However, this strategy has some fundamentally flawed assumptions:

In China, meanwhile, quantum physicist Jian-Wei Pan leads the countrys quantum program. In turn, its managed by a co-ordinated orchestra of government, academic, and industry partners. As well as its streamlined program, China has an annual budget that is estimated to be in the billions of dollars, supported by the Chinese Communist Party.

Right now, the US is playing catch up to China in quantum mechanics. The country requires urgent new strategy methods to close the gap and usher in a new quantum era. But, until serious changes are made, China will continue to be a threat to US security and its economy.

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Quantum Computing is the next battle arena for US and China - Tech Wire Asia

May 26, 2023 Despite their immense promise to solve new kinds of problems, todays quantum computers are inherently prone to error. A small perturbation in their surrounding environment a change in temperature, pressure, or magnetic field, for instancecan disrupt their fragile computational building blocks, called qubits.

Now, researchers at the University of Chicagos Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) have developed a new method to constantly monitor the noise around a quantum system and adjust the qubits, in real-time, to minimize error.

The approach,described online inScience, relies on spectator qubits: a set of qubits embedded in the computer with the sole purpose of measuring outside noise rather than storing data. The information gathered by such spectator qubits can then be used to cancel out noise in vital data-processing qubits.

Asst. Prof.Hannes Bernien, who led the research, likens the new system to noise-cancelling headphones, which continuously monitor surrounding noises and emit opposing frequencies to cancel them out.

With this approach, we can very robustly improve the quality of the data qubits, said Bernien.I see this as being very important in the context of quantum computing and quantum simulation.

A Daunting Challenge

As existing quantum computers are scaled up, the challenge of noise and error has grown. The problem is two-fold: Qubits easily change in response to their environment, which can alter the information stored inside them and lead to high rates of error. In addition, if a scientist measures a qubit, to try to gauge the noise it has been exposed to, the qubit state collapses, losing its data.

Its a very daunting and difficult task to try to correct the errors within a quantum system, said Bernien.

Theoretical physicists had previously proposed a solution using spectator qubits, a set of qubits that dont store any necessary data but could be embedded within a quantum computer. The spectator qubits would track changes in the environment, acting like the microphone contained within noise-cancelling headphones. A microphone, of course, detects only sound waves while the proposed spectator qubits would respond to any environmental perturbations capable of altering qubits.

Two Kinds of Qubits for Noise Cancellation

Berniens group set out to demonstrate that this theoretical concept could be used to cancel out noise in a neutral atom quantum array their preferred quantum computer.

In a neutral atom quantum processor, atoms are suspended in place using laser beams called optical tweezers, which Bernien helped develop, earning him accolades such as the2023 New Horizons in Physics Prizeby the Breakthrough Prize Foundation. In large arrays of these suspended atoms, each acts as a qubit, capable of storing and processing information within its superposition state.

In 2022, Bernien and colleagues first reported the ability to makea hybrid atomic quantum processorcontaining both rubidium and cesium atoms. Now, theyve adapted that processor so that the rubidium atoms act as data qubits while the cesium atoms are spectator qubits. The team designed a system to continuously read out real-time data from the rubidium atoms and, in response, tweak the cesium atoms with microwave oscillations.

The challenge, Bernien said, was ensuring that the system was quick enoughany adjustments to the rubidium atoms had to be nearly instantaneous.

Whats really exciting about this is that not only is it minimizing any noise for the data qubits, but its an example of actually interacting with a quantum system in real time, said Bernien.

Proof-of-Principle

To test their error minimization approach, Berniens group exposed the quantum array to magnetic field noise. They showed that the cesium atoms correctly picked up this noise and their system then cancelled it out in the rubidium atoms in real time.

However, the research group says the initial prototype is just a starting place. Theyd like to try increasing the amount of noise and varying the types of perturbations and testing whether the approach holds up.

We have exciting ideas on how to improve the sensitivity of this system by a large factor but its going to take more work to get it implemented, said Bernien. This was a great starting place.

Eventually, Bernien imagines a system of spectator qubits could run constantly in the background of any neutral atom quantum computer and also quantum computers of other architectures, minimizing the error as the computer stores data and makes computations.

Citation: Mid-circuit correction of correlated phase errors using an array of spectator qubits, Singh et al,Science, May 25, 2023. DOI:10.1126/science.ade5337

Source: Sarah C.P. Williams, PME, UChicago

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'Noise-Cancelling' Qubits Developed at Uchicago to Minimize Errors ... - HPCwire

Quantum Computing in Drug Discovery

In the rapidly evolving world of 21st-century technologies, quantum computing has emerged as a revolutionary force with the potential to transform various industries, including drug discovery. The pharmaceutical sector is no stranger to the challenges of developing new drugs, which often involves complex molecular interactions and requires vast computational resources. However, quantum computing, with its unparalleled processing power, is poised to revolutionize the drug discovery process, enabling researchers to identify and develop new drugs with greater speed and accuracy.

Quantum computing relies on the principles of quantum mechanics, a branch of physics that deals with the behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic levels. Unlike classical computers, which use bits to represent information as either 0 or 1, quantum computers use quantum bits, or qubits, which can represent both 0 and 1 simultaneously. This property, known as superposition, allows quantum computers to perform multiple calculations at once, vastly increasing their processing power.

In addition to superposition, quantum computers also take advantage of another quantum mechanical property called entanglement. Entangled qubits can be correlated in such a way that the state of one qubit is dependent on the state of another, even when separated by large distances. This phenomenon enables quantum computers to perform complex calculations with greater efficiency and accuracy than classical computers.

The potential applications of quantum computing in drug discovery are vast and varied. One of the most promising areas is the simulation of molecular interactions, which is crucial for understanding how potential drug candidates interact with their target proteins in the body. Classical computers struggle with this task due to the sheer number of possible interactions and the complexity of the underlying quantum mechanics. However, quantum computers are inherently suited to handle such complex calculations, allowing researchers to simulate molecular interactions with unprecedented accuracy and speed.

Moreover, quantum computing can also aid in the optimization of drug candidates. The process of drug discovery often involves searching through vast libraries of chemical compounds to identify those with the desired properties. Quantum computers can perform this search more efficiently than classical computers, thanks to their ability to process multiple possibilities simultaneously. This increased efficiency could significantly reduce the time and cost associated with drug discovery, ultimately leading to the development of more effective treatments for various diseases.

Another potential application of quantum computing in drug discovery is the identification of new drug targets. By simulating the behavior of biological systems at the quantum level, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms of diseases, potentially revealing novel targets for therapeutic intervention. This knowledge could pave the way for the development of new drugs that are more effective and have fewer side effects than existing treatments.

Despite the immense potential of quantum computing in drug discovery, there are still several challenges that must be overcome before it can be fully realized. One of the primary obstacles is the development of stable and scalable quantum computers, as current systems are prone to errors and can only handle a limited number of qubits. Additionally, researchers must develop new algorithms and software specifically designed for quantum computing, as existing programs are not compatible with this new technology.

In conclusion, quantum computing holds great promise for revolutionizing the drug discovery process, offering the potential to accelerate the development of new treatments and improve our understanding of complex biological systems. As researchers continue to advance this cutting-edge technology, it is likely that we will witness a new era of drug discovery driven by the unparalleled power of quantum computing.

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21st Century Technologies: Quantum Computing in Drug Discovery - CityLife

May 25, 2023 Everyone has a seat at the table when it comes to advancing quantum information research.

That was the message from a panel discussion onquantum information scienceat the 2023 meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), held from March 2-5 in Washington,DC.

The session, titledThe Human Side of Quantum Science: Policy, Access, Benefit to Humanity, focused on the intersection of quantum technology and human activity and how the scientific community can shape those interactions.

TheAAASMeeting session was organized by representatives of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Quantum Information Science Research Centers, including Q-NEXT, which is led byDOEs Argonne National Laboratory.

Quantum technologies harness special features of matter at the atomic scale and have the potential to transform society. Quantum sensors could boost our ability to diagnose disease by imaging individual cells. Quantum computers are expected to solve problems todayssupercomputerscannot.

One of the challenges facing the burgeoning field is its reputation as inaccessible, both intellectually and in terms of the equipment and resources.

Throughout the discussion, panel moderator Kate Waimey Timmerman, chief executive officer of the Chicago Quantum Exchange, asked the panelists how the scientific community is tackling the problem.

For example, she said, we need a stronger, larger workforce to advance quantum information science in the U.S. What are we doing to draw more people to quantum science?

One of the goals of the National Quantum Initiative, which spurred the establishment of 10 national quantum research centers directed byDOEand the National Science Foundation, wasto create a new generation of talent, said Charles Tahan, assistant director for quantum information science at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and director of the National Quantum Coordination Office.

How do you educate people so they have the skill sets to be successful? How do you inspire them to keep going? And then how do you give them the experiences throughout their career, school and so on, outside of school, that lets them see themselves as a contributor? Get over the perception that you need to have Einstein-like hair? Tahan said.Its just not true, right? There are many different types of skills and personalities and capabilities that are needed.

The national strategy for building a quantum workforce includes education partnerships to bring leading industry players, teachers, professional societies and universities together to create curricula for all levels, Tahan said. It also showcases diverse people working in the field.

This is what a person in this field is like, whether they be government or industry or academia they could look like you, he said.

Advancing quantum information science takes all kinds. Margaret Martonosi, the Hugh Trumbull Adams35 professor of computer science at Princeton University, ticked off some of the many areas of expertise needed to advance quantum technologies: chemistry, applied math and statistics, electrical engineering, computing and physics, to name a few. And you dont need a Ph.D. to contribute.

You have this opportunity to pull from a lot of different undergrad fields and to create what you might think of as a mezzanine level where theres mixing, Martonosi said.Maybe its a masters degree or maybe its some other experience, but the ability to mix and complement backgrounds to bring together these different topic areas will be exciting in terms of pulling in both academic and technical backgrounds and improving the diversity and inclusion of the field, by being willing to enable to draw from a broader set of backgrounds.

Tahan agreed, refuting the notion that an advanced understanding of quantum physics is a requirement for entering the field.

Quantum is more than quantum physics, he said.When you think about the skills needed to build a large quantum computer or sensingnetwork physics, computer science, engineering, design, so on these skill sets are valuable no matter what.

Timmerman asked about ways the scientific community is makingquantum computingaccessible to more users, noting that several companies are making their quantum capabilities available on the cloud.

By putting it on the cloud, it makes it a lot easier for almost anyone to access. Thats a big part of it, said Jerry Chow,IBMfellow and director of quantum infrastructure atIBM, which made the first quantum device available on the cloud in 2016.Certainly not everybodys going to have access to a lot of the experimental types of apparatus that it takes to test these things, so having a cloud solution and an integrated compute platform that is accessible is the first step toward truly democratizing and offering these types of services to the world.

Chow also noted thatIBMand other companies are always looking for ways to serve a wide range of users.IBM, for example, hosts global summer schools where students use software development kits such as Qiskit to run and write quantum code. Last year, over 5,000 people from over 100 countries accessed Qiskit.

Thats really the type of outreach that were trying to drive. We want to enable the world with this future of computing resource. Chow said.

You could all go and run a tiny quantum program today on other resources. Its that accessible, Martonosi told the audience.

Martonosi noted the example of robotics clubs, which have been successful in setting kids on theSTEMpath. Similar entry points could be made available for those without formal training in quantum information science.

There are also folks who are coming out from intellectual curiosity at all times in their life kindergarteners, high schoolers and 50-year-olds who are just curious and want to learn more. And I think thats all to the better, she said.Cloud-connected quantum platforms its not the same as playing soccer on a robot but it has that same aspect of being able to experiment with something and manipulate it in a more hands-on way that often pulls people in.

While building quantum capabilities in the U.S. is critical, so is international cooperation, Tahan said.

One of the pillars of our national strategy is international cooperation. Quantum has always been a global endeavor, he said.So to move science forward faster, we need to work together.

Tahan said that its better to get ahead in quantum information research by working with other countries than to lag behind the curve because were holding certain innovations so close to the vest. At the same time, we need to balance the benefits of sharing knowledge with the harms that could arise if we dont protect our intellectual and technological investments.

But we cant let that stop us from moving as fast as possible and understanding the world better, with the intention of helping people, Tahan said.Ultimately, were going to have to find ways to expand opportunity everywhere.

Because quantum information science is an emerging field that is now getting off the ground, opportunities abound.

Its that notion of being able to present at the creation, or the almost creation, of something new, Martonosi said, who mentioned that some scholars find it risky to conduct research in a field thats in its formative stages.I dont see the risk, because on the one hand, the upside is we could do something amazingly impactful. And on the other hand, even if aspects of what we work on dont fully pan out, we are always learning things, and were turning back and making use of them in the non-quantum, classical side of the computing space. To me theres very little downside and a huge upside that is very exciting.

Chow hopes that the upside of conducting research from the ground up can attract more people to quantum information science.

That aspect of it, of being able to be at this I dont think its quite the ground floor anymore but were kind of still in those first couple of floors of laying the seeds of what can really blossom from here, he said.

The field is progressing so rapidly that theres really an opportunity to make contributions in a lot of different ways, Tahan said.As a human race, we cant afford to not take advantage of talents all over the world. Because we have a lot of problems to solve together.

About Q-NEXT

Q-NEXT is a U.S. Department of Energy National Quantum Information Science Research Center led by Argonne National Laboratory. Q-NEXT brings together world-class researchers from national laboratories, universities and U.S. technology companies with the goal of developing the science and technology to control and distribute quantum information. Q-NEXT collaborators and institutions will create two national foundries for quantum materials and devices, develop networks of sensors and secure communications systems, establish simulation and network test beds, and train the next-generation quantum-ready workforce to ensure continued U.S. scientific and economic leadership in this rapidly advancing field. For more information, visithttps://q-next.org.

About Argonne National Laboratory

Argonne National Laboratoryseeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology. The nations first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities, and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific problems, advance Americas scientific leadership and prepare the nation for a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed byUChicago Argonne,LLCfor theU.S. Department of Energys Office of Science.

The U.S. Department of Energys Office of Scienceis the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visithttps://energy.gov/science.

Source: Leah Hesla, Argonne National Laboratory

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Argonne Paves the Way for a Quantum-Inclusive Future at AAAS ... - HPCwire