Q* and Quantum Computing
Is the famed project #Q*, allegedly the major reason behind the recent upheaval in OpenAI, paving the way for artificial general intelligence (AGI)?
Recent buzz around OpenAI's project Q* (pronounced "Q-Star") has captivated the tech world. Speculated to be a significant advancement in artificial intelligence, particularly in the pursuit of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), Q* could represent literally a quantum leap in computational capabilities.
There is a misunderstanding among the general public, what is AI. AI is not what we now know as ChatGPT, Bing, Dall-e or MidJourney. These are only generating text or graphics or video based on our prompts, they are not (yet) capable of thinking on their own and improving themselves.
AGI is in fact the breakthrough technology generally mistaken nowadays for AI. AGI is what was envisioned by various sci-fi authors as technology, surpassing human intelligence in a broad spectrum of tasks, able to think on its own, learn and upgrade beyond our capabilities.
So could Q* lay the foundations of the future AGI? The whole situation behind Sam Altman's departure and return a few days later would make sense. However let us not focus on speculations, as the internet is full of such, instead focus on what we know so far about Q*.
Quantum Computing: The Core of Future AI Quantum computing, possibly the underlying technology for Q*, deviates fundamentally from traditional computing. It uses qubits instead of bits, allowing for processing of vast amounts of data at unprecedented speeds. This technology is not just about speed; it's about tackling currently intractable problems, crucial for the evolution of AGI.
Understanding Quantum Computing Quantum computing leverages principles of quantum mechanics, such as superposition and entanglement. Unlike classical bits, qubits can exist in multiple states simultaneously. Furthermore, entangled qubits remain interconnected over distances, offering new possibilities in data processing and secure communication.
Quantum vs. Classical Computing: A Comparison
So, what could be the problem with combining AI and quantum computing?
Imagine a quantum network. The future of quantum network could resemble a form of 'collective consciousness' in computing. This analogy helps us envision a network where all the information and knowledge available to us are instantly accessible over almost any distance.
Now imagine that AGI should be able to learn at speeds unreachable by humans and improve further to a point, where humans will not be even able to understand what and why it is doing.
But as for now, realizing such a quantum network and / or AGI would require overcoming significant technical challenges, including maintaining quantum states over long distances and developing efficient quantum error correction methods.
领英推荐
Quantum computers are now in a very early phase of development as is the Q* project, which is reportedly able to deal with elementary school math so far.
Q* thus represents both promise and concern. Its capabilities could dramatically advance AI, but it also raises important ethical and safety considerations.
Conclusion: While Q* and quantum computing offer glimpses into a future of unparalleled computational power, they also underscore the need for a balanced approach.
P.S.: I am not a computer scientist and/or programmer. I am just trying to explain these technologies in plain terms, so that everybody can understand. If you find some inconsistencies or mistakes, please do let me know.
Sources:
Malke, Ghassan. "The Q Factor." LinkedIn, available online at: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/q-factor-ghassan-malke--d2yxe/.
"What is Q*? And when we will hear more?" OpenAI Community Forum, available online at: https://community.openai.com/t/what-is-q-and-when-we-will-hear-more/521343.
"Q*." Wikipedia, available online at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q*.
MIT technology review "Unpacking the hype around OpenAI’s rumored new Q* model", available online at: https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/11/27/1083886/unpacking-the-hype-around-openais-rumored-new-q-model/
IBM, "What is quantum computing", available online at: https://www.ibm.com/topics/quantum-computing
Disclaimer: This article was brainstormed and drafted with the help of ChatGPT, graphics by ChatGPT.
Principal Data/AI Tech Lead ◇ Head of Engineering ◇ Software Architect
1 年I would say that building AGI is possible even without quantum computing, but what I think would be truly amazing is the potential emergence of free will out of a quantum neural network. However, this idea isn't new; it originated in the 1990s, and there are even libraries available for this, such as https://qiskit.org/ecosystem/machine-learning/tutorials/01_neural_networks.html. The big race now is about who invests more budget into this and achieves faster results. I'm really fascinated by these developments and am glad you brought up the topic. Quantum computing is likely to become mainstream in the tech industry soon, which is exciting!