Everyone is talking about artificial intelligence. But how many of us have wondered what the next technological revolution might be?
It could be quantum computing.
For certain specialised tasks, a quantum computer can finish in minutes what researchers estimate would take a classical supercomputer billions of years. Not years. Not thousands of years. Not even millions of years. Billions.
I’ve been following quantum computing for years, dreaming of seeing this technology with my own eyes. Last week, that dream came true. And I saw not one quantum computer, but three:
- A 54-qubit IQM Euro-Q-Exa superconducting quantum computer.
- A 20-qubit IQM superconducting quantum computer.
- A 20-qubit AQT quantum computer using trapped ions.
These are research machines, and much work remains before quantum computing becomes an everyday tool. I also stood beside a Q.ANT Native Processing Server—a photonic computing system that performs calculations using light.
This happened during the week-long “Limits of Artificial Intelligence” summer school at the Technical University of Munich’s Institute for Advanced Study, from August 31 to September 4.
From morning until evening, we discussed the limits of AI: logical and mathematical, physical and technical, ethical, legal, and social. We explored quantum computing and robotics, and asked which limitations might be overcome and which might be fundamental.
We also visited the Deutsches Museum to see developments in robotics. But for me, the highlight was our visit to the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) in Garching. It took the organisers an entire year to arrange access for our group and a two-hour tour. I am very grateful they made it happen.
Photography inside was not permitted, so I have a photo beside the LRZ sign at the entrance. Now you know why I look so happy :)
It was a pleasure to meet Professor Michael Molls, Director of TUM-IAS; Professor Klaus Mainzer, President of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts; Professor Michael Decker, Director General of the Deutsches Museum; and Professor Gordon Cheng of TUM. Meeting Mainzer, a leading philosopher of science, and Cheng, a world-renowned pioneer in humanoid robotics, was especially meaningful to me.
My thanks to TUM and TUM-IAS, the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, Alma Mater Europaea–European Center Herrenberg, the Deutsches Museum, the Munich School of Philosophy, the Udo Keller Foundation, and the LRZ team.
And a special thank you to Professor Stefania Centrone, the main organiser and driving force behind this school, and Dr. Anna-Vanadis Faix, Managing Director of Alma Mater Europaea–European Center Herrenberg. Stefania and Anna, thank you for your warm welcome and all the work behind this week. You also helped make a personal dream come true.
📱 Mykola Latansky. Subscribe!
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