What do you mean by quantum-inspired?
What does quantum-inspired mean to you? Just algorithms? Or like me, have you seen it cropping up more and more to describe other solutions? Chances are we might disagree about what emerging technologies or techniques to apply the label to. Or even if the label should be used at all. I wonder if - while still learning what quantum is - having solutions which are called ‘quantum-inspired’ only make some problems harder to understand.?
As a general working definition, quantum-inspired is where aspects of quantum physics are applied to a question or model at hand using classical technology. For example, in coding,
Microsoft’s Azure Quantum optimization service takes algorithmic techniques from quantum physics and makes these capabilities available in Azure on conventional hardware, and callable from a Python client. It can be used to explore problems with hundreds of thousands of variables.
When it comes to classical computing, labelling algorithms as quantum-inspired makes sense as long as we manage expectations for the outcomes.
In my opinion, this is a view of a problem with tiny discrete variables with little interconnections linked together to find a probabilistic approach to a solution. It does not provide an answer, but a likely direction. We know that it isn’t quantum computing, even if we don’t know what quantum computing will be.
However, in physical science quantum-inspired starts to muddy the waters. A while ago, Nima Alidoust tweeted: ‘Heard the phrase "quantum-inspired quantum chemistry" three times today; Isn't that just good old "quantum chemistry"?’ Quantum chemistry is focused on the application of quantum mechanics to chemical systems, so what does the extra quantum add here? Does it simply mean using a quantum-inspired algorithm in your research? Or something else? I have seen it applied to techniques that weren’t previously labelled ‘quantum-inspired’ and it’s taken time and energy to understand what’s new, if anything.?
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Chris?Ferrie recently published a book - Quantum Bullsh*t - raging about the hijacking of the term ‘quantum’?in popular science. I think we may soon be due a sequel on quantum-inspired. It helps to explain some technologies, but obscures others. And while there’s a value in broadening the understanding of the applications quantum can impact, there’s a danger in spreading ‘quantum’ too thinly.
Getting philosophical, maybe we’re not at a point where we can use ‘quantum-inspired’ because it confuses what quantum might be. We never know completely where we are on the curve of invention or discover till we are past the point of discovery. When humans first learned to fly they only flew a short distance at Kitty Hawk, but this step opened a completely different understanding of what is possible. In quantum, the curve is so steep that it is hard to even fathom what?is next.?
And?landing heavily back on earth - from a branding point of view, what effect does calling technologies ‘quantum-inspired’ have on the term quantum? If quantum-inspired technologies are slow or fail, how does it affect the reputation of ‘pure’ quantum? We don’t want failure in quantum-inspired to impact investment in quantum especially when it’s so often mislabelled anyway.?
In this exciting world of possibilities for quantum it would be nice to have another word for the techniques, technologies and models that it is inspiring. But without one, is quantum-inspired the best workaround? Let me know what you think.
Molecular Geneticist | Fin & Tech Journalist | Quantum Syndicate Investment Trustee | Qiskit Baby
1 年I appreciate the pedanticity, Stuart Woods, because the technological curve will only get steeper since the right people are deeply investing into this computer movement. It's only a matter of time that the #quantum community is no longer incestuous as it currently is, and it reaches the mainstream but much faster than cryptocurrencies have. We can be assured that the incoming successors of this quantum age will have their own terms, by right of their own peculiar capabilities, diverging them into their own bubbles. I think "quantum-inspired" is more broad of a term than even "quantum", since just about anything - like art - can be quantum-inspired. Businesspeople need to be really careful how they invest into these buzzwords propped up with slick suited crazes. Wouldn't want a quantum/photonic version of FTX or Theranos, but who am I against multi-billionaires?