Intriguing Quantum #15
Daniella Pontes, CISSP
? ? Product | Solution Marketer ? ? Quantum Ambassador ? ? Planning & Executing to Market Success
[October 16, 2024]
Welcome to the 15th issue of the Intriguing Quantum newsletter! IQ newsletter is curated by Oliver Rochford and Daniella Pontes, and summarized using AI. Join us in scanning the horizon for the beginning of the Quantum Age. Engage in the conversation on our Intriguing Quantum Slack channel! Connect to discuss the latest trends, share insights, and explore the fascinating world of quantum computing and AI. Click here to join: Intriguing Quantum Slack Invitation . Also check out Oliver Rochford's The Curious AI Newsletter .
KEY TAKEAWAYS
This is the first time that a real quantum computer has posed a real and substantial threat to multiple full-scale SPN structured algorithms in use today.
Shanghai University researchers led by Wang Chao
QUANTUM CYBERSECURITY: Chinese Quantum Cyber Attack "Cracks" RSA and AES.
Time to Panic? Not yet, but inaction is not an option.
Researchers from Shanghai University published a paper titled “Quantum Annealing Public Key Cryptographic Attack Algorithm Based on D-Wave Advantage,” demonstrating attack methods using quantum annealing that could break public key encryption algorithms used in standards like RSA and symmetric encryption algorithms used in standards like Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). Those encryption standards are cornerstones for securing data at rest and in transit, applied globally by governments and by the private sector at large to protect confidential data, such as passwords, and Internet communications and transactions.?
While the news sounds alarming at first, the actual risk increase, although very real, is nuanced. Concerning RSA, they didn’t implement Shor’s quantum algorithm. They used a quantum annealing algorithm combined with a classical algorithm that transformed the cryptographic attack into a combinatorial optimization problem or exponential space search problem. The researchers claimed to successfully factor a 22-bit RSA integer, when currently used RSA key sizes are 2048 bits or 4096 bits for higher protection. Fortunately, in cryptography, key size matters.?The attack on Substitution-Permutation Network (SPN) structured algorithms, used in AES standard, didn’t reveal passwords, and increasing key sizes is also an approach to harden symmetric encryption. But this development undeniably hastens the arrival of Q-Day when existing cryptographic defenses — including those securing WiFi, web browsers, VPNs, email services, transactions, sensitive data storage and transfer — will be vulnerable to quantum computing capabilities.
For decision-makers, it is worth remembering that when someone finally does break the key sizes commonly used today, it might not be publicly announced. A lot of the research remains hidden in the realm of cyber espionage, with an early-mover advantage in Harvest Now, Decrypt Later (HNDL) attacks a holy grail in signal intelligence. But much like the allies in WW2, who secretly broke the Enigma machine the Germans used to encode their messages, they would need to use the information only sparingly to avoid anyone else realizing it. Using D-Wave's off-the-shelf quantum computers to challenge military-grade encryption moves the theoretical threat of quantum computing into a tangible reality, suggesting that Q-Day might be closer than anticipated.
Attaining Crypto Agility: Gearing Up for the Quantum Challenge
Crypto agility, or the capacity to swiftly adapt and implement quantum-resistant cryptography, is crucial to future-proof data. As quantum threats loom larger, organizations must hasten to inventory, prioritize, and upgrade their cryptographic systems to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) solutions, to proactively counter emerging HNDL attacks and future vulnerabilities. The ?NIST quantum-safe standards for key encapsulation and digital signature protocols were published in August NIST provides a solid foundation for public key security transformations and outlines essential steps in securing public key infrastructures against quantum attacks. Although a migration to quantum-safe encryption represents a large undertaking, with first practical attacks emerging, the clock is ticking to become crypto-agile. ?
Related articles:
QUANTUM MARKET CASUALTIES: It Takes a Village and Frenemies to Raise a Quantum Startup
Considering that quantum computing represents unprecedented opportunities, it’s not surprising that it has heralded the rise of a whole new industry in record time. But the recent market turbulence highlights significant hurdles within the quantum computing sector that require substantial long-term investments. Zapata AI , a former industry darling, recently went out of business. Two other startups, D-Wave and Rigetti, have been heavily devalued and face the threat of being delisted from the stock market.? This volatility shows that the market alone will not nurture emerging quantum startups.
Despite the presence of early movers and heavyweight players, the race for quantum supremacy still seems in the early leg of the race, and remains wide open. While there’s a growing array of competing quantum technologies, they are all trying to win the hearts of an exclusive, albeit currently minuscule, group of potential customers with small but dedicated quantum budgets and early identified commercial use cases.
The harsh reality is that despite growing momentum and groundbreaking technological advances, quantum startups are highly vulnerable to financial instability due to the high costs of R&D, quantum hardware: cryogenics, advanced microwave and laser control systems, special wiring, controlled environments, to name only a few, not to mention full-stack software development, including new algorithms. It seems easy to obtain start capital with quantum “revolution” on the news, but there exists a funding gap to enable these sorts of deep tech businesses to achieve scale.?
In this challenging landscape, the financial support and access to ecosystems of established tech giants is already making a significant difference. Meanwhile, startups with competing QPU technologies offer a hedge to heavyweight gorillas immersed in their tech stacks, hoping to emerge as ultimate winners. This results in a kind of symbiotic relationship. Examples include Google Quantum AI's recent investment in QuEra, Microsoft's investment in PsiQuantum, Amazon's backing of D-Wave, and IBM's funding into Quantinuum. These partnerships signify that there is no clear winner yet in this race — no player is above the odds. All possible outcomes are in superposition. :-)
Related articles:
INTRIGUING QUANTUM: The Paradoxical Mpemba Effect Explained!?
Hell could actually freeze over—and faster than you think—thanks to quantum physics.
This is due to an age-old enigma as to why?hot water can sometimes freeze faster than cold. The phenomena has perplexed thinkers from Aristotle to modern physicists, but it is named after a high school student from Tanzania, Ernesto Mpemba. Ernesto noticed when making ice cream, that putting his hot mixture into the fridge before waiting for it to cool meant it actually cooled faster than the mixtures his classmates had cooled down first.
In a groundbreaking study published by scientists from Trinity College Dublin, the Mpemba effect has been identified within quantum systems. This discovery shows that under certain conditions, quantum particles can achieve a state of lower energy more rapidly when they start from a 'hotter' (higher energy) state than a 'cooler' one. This paradoxical behavior, which seemingly defies basic thermodynamic expectations, aligns perfectly with the often counterintuitive nature of quantum physics.
The implications of this discovery are profound and could lead to revolutionary methods in cooling technologies critical for quantum computing, which operates near absolute zero.
Quantum Cooling: A New Frontier? The quantum Mpemba effect reshapes our understanding of how energy transitions can occur at the microscopic scale. It might one day lead to the development of ultra-efficient cooling systems or new ways of achieving quantum states necessary for advanced computing tasks faster than ever thought possible.
Related article:
NEWS COVERAGE?
QUANTUM COMPUTING
Useful Quantum Computers Are Edging Closer With Recent Milestones
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Summary: Google, Microsoft, and others are progressing toward developing quantum computers that solve practical problems, indicating a near future where these devices could be error-free and significantly impactful.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
Quantum Compute Report Card: Looking Beyond Two-Qubit Gates
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Summary: IBM maintains that commercially viable quantum computers are still a few years away, although progress is on track, suggesting a cautious yet forward-moving quantum landscape.?
Sentiment: Neutral | Time to Impact: Long (5 years+)
Making Difficult Quantum Many-Body Calculations Possible
Newswise |
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Summary: Recent advances in ab initio methods for studying quantum many-body systems could soon simplify complex calculations, potentially revolutionizing fields like material science and quantum chemistry.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
Purifications, Fidelity & the Future of Computing
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Summary: IBM Quantum is advancing the field through its Qiskit platform, focusing on educational initiatives and technological improvements to enhance quantum computing's reliability and accessibility.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
Google’s Sycamore Quantum Chip Beats Classical Computers
Phys.org |
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Summary: Google's recent advancements in quantum computing have led to the Sycamore chip outperforming classical computers in specific tasks, marking a significant milestone in quantum computing.?
Sentiment: Strong Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
HYBRID QUANTUM
Moderna and Yale Demonstrate the Use of NVIDIA's CUDA-Q Platform to Simulate Quantum
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Summary: Moderna and Yale have showcased the application of NVIDIA's CUDA-Q platform in quantum machine learning for drug discovery. This collaboration highlights the platform's capability in handling complex, large-scale simulations crucial for developing new drugs.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Short (3-18 months)
QUANTUM AI
AI and Quantum Mechanics Team Up to Accelerate Drug Discovery
Newswise |
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Summary: AI and quantum mechanics are being integrated to accelerate the process of drug discovery. This novel approach aims to enhance the efficiency of identifying drug molecules that can effectively interact with human proteins.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Short (3-18 months)
AI and Quantum Mechanics Accelerate Drug Discovery
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Summary: Researchers have developed SmartCADD, a tool that utilizes AI and quantum mechanics to speed up drug discovery. This tool aims to streamline the early stages of drug development by improving the interaction analysis between chemicals and proteins.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Short (3-18 months)
Quantum Computing and AI: Less Compatible Than Expected?
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Summary: This article explores the challenges of integrating AI with quantum computing, noting that quantum computers currently face limitations with speed and the duration of calculations, which may hinder their expected synergies with AI.?
Sentiment: Neutral | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
AI & Quantum Tech: Accelerating Progress on the UN SDGs
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Summary: The integration of AI and quantum technology is seen as pivotal in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), potentially transforming a wide range of sectors through increased computational power and efficiency.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
QUANTUM NETWORKING
Qubit-Photon Interfaces Connect Multiple Quantum Processors
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Summary: Advances in qubit-photon interfaces are enhancing the connectivity between quantum processors, which is critical for solving complex problems that are beyond the reach of traditional computing systems.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
IonQ Advances Quantum Networking with Remote Ion-Ion Entanglement Breakthrough
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Summary: IonQ has achieved a significant milestone in quantum networking by successfully transferring entanglement between ion qubits across different systems, setting the stage for more integrated quantum computing environments.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
Harnessing Quantum Principles: Phased Arrays Within Phased Arrays for Smarter, Greener
Phys.org |
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Summary: This article discusses the application of quantum superposition principles to phased array systems, which could lead to smarter and more energy-efficient technologies, impacting various industries.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
POST-QUANTUM CRYPTOGRAPHY
The Biggest Buzzword of 2025: Why You Should Budget for Crypto Agility Now
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Summary: As quantum computing evolves, it poses a significant threat to current cryptographic algorithms that secure digital communications. The article urges organizations to integrate crypto agility into their systems to prepare for the quantum future.?
Sentiment: Neutral | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
Implementing Post-Quantum Cryptography in Modern Systems
BetaNews |
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Summary: This article discusses the necessary advancements and preparations for integrating post-quantum cryptography into existing digital infrastructures, as quantum computers capable of breaking current encryption are expected within the decade.?
Sentiment: Neutral | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
NATO's Quantum-Safe Future Transition
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Summary: NATO is actively adapting to quantum advancements, focusing on technologies that ensure security against quantum threats. This includes strategic initiatives to integrate quantum-safe technologies across its operations.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
New Cryptography Guidance Outlines Process for Banks to Strengthen IT Security
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Summary: Banks are urged to adopt cryptographic agility quickly as the quantum era approaches, which is expected to compromise many existing security systems without these updates.?
Sentiment: Neutral | Time to Impact: Short (3-18 months)
Japan Seeks Homegrown 'Unbreakable' Quantum Encryption by 2030
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Summary: Japan is investing in developing its quantum encryption technology to protect against quantum threats, involving the private sector in a race to create a secure data environment by 2030.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Long (5 years+)
Chinese Researchers Reportedly Crack Encryption With Quantum Computer
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Summary: A team in China has reportedly used a quantum computer to crack encryption that was previously considered secure, marking a significant breakthrough in quantum computing capabilities.?
Sentiment: Negative (for cybersecurity) | Time to Impact: Short (3-18 months)
Chinese Researchers Break RSA Encryption With a Quantum Computer
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Summary: Researchers from Shanghai University have demonstrated that quantum computers, like those from D-Wave, can solve problems and break encryptions like RSA faster than conventional computers, raising significant security concerns.?
Sentiment: Negative (for traditional encryption) | Time to Impact: Short (3-18 months)
QUANTUM DEFENSE
Senators Want Answers from DOD on Quantum Sensing Efforts
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Summary: U.S. Senators are querying the Department of Defense about its quantum sensing strategies, particularly in light of China's rapid advancements in quantum technologies, which could impact national security.?
Sentiment: Neutral | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
China's Quantum Tech Advances Push U.S. Senators to Seek Answers About Defense
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领英推荐
Summary: Concerns over China's quantum technology advances have prompted U.S. Senators to press the Pentagon for detailed updates on its quantum sensing initiatives to ensure competitive parity.?
Sentiment: Neutral | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
QUANTUM NATIONS
Tech War: China Boosts Quantum Computer Production with Self-Developed Chips Amid US Sanctions
South China Morning Post |
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Summary: Amid US sanctions, China's Origin Quantum is expanding its quantum computer production using domestically developed chips. This move represents a significant step in China's strategy to enhance its technological independence and leadership in the quantum field.?
Sentiment: Neutral | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
Africa's Quantum Leap: HPC and AI Adapting Continental Tech
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Summary: High-Performance Computing (HPC) and AI initiatives are gaining traction across Africa, aiming to revolutionize the continent's research capabilities and foster innovation in quantum technology and other advanced scientific fields.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Long (5 years+)
US, India Announce $2 Million Grant for AI and Quantum Technology Research Projects
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Summary: The US and India have launched a collaborative effort, announcing grants totaling over $2 million for joint research in AI and quantum technology. This initiative aims to foster innovation and deepen ties between the two nations in cutting-edge technology sectors.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
How to Ensure Global Development of Quantum Technologies
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Summary: The World Economic Forum discusses strategies to balance global cooperation and national interests in the development of quantum technologies, emphasizing the need for an inclusive approach to avoid disparities in technological advancement.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Long (5 years+)
PHOTONICS
Silicon Photonic Platform Supports Room-Temperature Quantum Computing
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Summary: Artilux Inc., in collaboration with academic institutions, has developed a silicon photonic platform that enables room-temperature quantum computing, potentially simplifying the infrastructure required for quantum computing applications.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
QUANTUM COMPUTING USE CASES
UK Pushes Quantum Technology Into Healthcare, Eyes 2030 Target
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Summary: The UK is actively integrating quantum computing into healthcare, aiming for significant advancements by 2030. This initiative focuses on leveraging quantum computing for better simulation of chemical interactions and protein folding, enhancing drug development and disease treatment.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Long (5 years+)
Toyota and Xanadu Collaborate to Pioneer Quantum Computing Applications in Materials Simulations
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Summary: Toyota and Xanadu are partnering to develop quantum computing applications for material simulations, aiming to enhance the precision and control in automotive materials technology, potentially leading to more advanced and sustainable vehicles.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
Exploring Business Process Optimization with Quantum Computing
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Summary: D-Wave Systems reports significant interest in utilizing quantum computing for business process optimization. This trend is driven by the potential of quantum computing to solve complex organizational problems more efficiently than classical computing.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
How Quantum Computing Could Transform Streaming
CEPRO |
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Summary: Quantum computing could revolutionize the streaming industry by significantly enhancing video processing capabilities. This advancement could lead to vastly improved consumer experiences with lower buffering times and higher quality visuals.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
Quantum Materials Could Be the Future of High-Energy X-Ray Imaging
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Summary: Researchers are developing quantum materials that could revolutionize high-energy X-ray imaging. These materials offer ultra-fast response times and could significantly improve imaging techniques in medical diagnostics and security screenings.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
Quantum Computational Fluid Dynamics (QCFD) - Part 2: Use Cases: Rolls-Royce and BosonQ Psi
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Summary: Rolls-Royce and BosonQ Psi are exploring the applications of Quantum Computational Fluid Dynamics (QCFD) in improving the design and performance of engines. This collaboration highlights the potential of quantum computing in enhancing aerospace technologies.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
QUANTUM STARTUPS AND THE MARKET
Zapata AI Ceases Operations
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Summary: Zapata AI, a leader in quantum software development, has shut down operations, highlighting the volatility and challenges within the quantum computing industry.?
Sentiment: Negative | Time to Impact: Immediate
Quantum Computing Giants D-Wave and Rigetti Once Again Face Delisting Over Low Stock Prices
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Summary: D-Wave and Rigetti, two major quantum computing firms, are facing potential delisting from Nasdaq due to low stock prices, underscoring financial instability in the quantum computing market.?
Sentiment: Negative | Time to Impact: Immediate
Google Quantum AI Invests in QuEra
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Summary: Google Quantum AI has invested an undisclosed sum in QuEra, signaling confidence in QuEra's neutral-atom quantum computing approach and aiming to bolster its own quantum capabilities.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
Quantum Computing Manufacturer TreQ Raises $5 Million in Seed Fundraise
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Summary: TreQ, a new player in quantum computing, has raised $5 million in seed funding to enhance its technology and market presence, with Steve Smoot from Lavrock joining its board. Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
Quantum Computing Group Q-CTRL Secures $87m Series B Top-Up
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Summary: Q-CTRL has secured an additional $87 million in Series B funding, totaling $167 million, to expand its quantum control technology, marking a significant confidence boost from investors.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
QUANTUM SCIENCE
Quantum Machine Learning Could Power Search for Physics Behind Dark Energy, Dark Matter
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Summary: Quantum machine learning is poised to revolutionize the search for the physics underlying dark energy and dark matter, potentially unlocking mysteries of the Standard Model.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Long (5 years+)
Extending the Computational Reach of a Superconducting Qutrit Processor
Nature |
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Summary: Researchers have significantly extended the computational capabilities of a superconducting qutrit processor, offering advantages for complex quantum calculations and potentially accelerating the development of quantum applications.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
Quantum Communication: Using Microwaves to Efficiently Control Diamond Qubits
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Summary: Advances in using microwaves to control diamond qubits efficiently could lead to more robust quantum communication systems, enhancing data security and processing speed.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
Novel Protocols for Estimating Hamiltonian Parameters of a Superconducting Quantum
Phys.org |
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Summary: New protocols developed for estimating the Hamiltonian parameters in superconducting quantum systems could improve the precision and reliability of quantum simulations, impacting quantum research significantly. Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
INTRIGUING QUANTUM
2,000-Year-Old Mystery: Scientists Discover Paradoxical Quantum Cooling Effect
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Summary: Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have unearthed a quantum analogue of the Mpemba effect, demonstrating unexpected cooling behaviors in quantum systems that defy classical expectations. This discovery could reshape our understanding of quantum mechanics and thermal dynamics.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Long (5 years+)
Quantum Consciousness: This Experiment Challenges Everything We Know
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Summary: The theory of quantum consciousness suggests that the human mind may be more than just the result of physical processes. Recent experiments challenge traditional views on consciousness, hinting at a profound quantum basis for cognition.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Long (5 years+)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nu Quantum and UK National Quantum Computing Centre Launch Project IDRA
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Summary: Nu Quantum and the UK National Quantum Computing Centre have initiated Project IDRA to develop a networked quantum computing system, aiming to overcome major scalability challenges in quantum computing technology.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Long (5 years+)
SoftIron Launches World's First Post-Quantum Safe Virtualization and Private Cloud
CIO Dive |
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Summary: SoftIron has introduced the first post-quantum safe virtualization and private cloud solutions, designed to provide enhanced security and integration capabilities for enterprises preparing for the quantum era.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
IBM Quantum Roadmap Guide -- Scaling And Expanding The Usefulness of Quantum Computing
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Summary: IBM's latest quantum roadmap details their strategic approach to scaling quantum computing technology, aiming to enhance its practical applications across various industries.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid (18-60 months)
IBM Releases Qiskit Code Assistant to Streamline Quantum Coding with AI Tools
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Summary: IBM has introduced the Qiskit Code Assistant, leveraging AI to facilitate and improve quantum programming, making it more accessible for developers to engage with quantum computing.?
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Short (3-18 months)
EVENTS
UConn to Hold Immersive Quantum Computing Workshop
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Summary: The University of Connecticut's College of Engineering will host a comprehensive two-day workshop focused on quantum computing, offering hands-on experience and fundamental insights into quantum technology applications.?
Quantum Matters: The 2024 City Quantum & AI Summit Wrap-up
?Summary: The City Quantum & AI Summit of 2024 highlighted transformative discussions on the integration of quantum computing and AI technologies, spearheaded by key industry figures aiming to drive technological and social progress.?