What Is the True Promise of Quantum Computing? | PODCAST: The Joy of Why

Despite the hype, it’s been surprisingly challenging to find quantum algorithms that outperform classical ones. In this episode, UC Berkeley computer scientist, Ewin Tang, discusses her pioneering work in “dequantizing” quantum algorithms and what it means for the future of quantum computing. “The Joy of Why” is a Quanta Magazine podcast about curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge. The mathematician and author Steven Strogatz and the astrophysicist and author Janna Levin take turns interviewing leading researchers about the great scientific and mathematical questions of our time. Listen to more episodes of Joy of Why: https://www.quantamagazine.org/tag/th... ----------- CHAPTERS: 00:00 Janna and Steve on quantum algorithms 02:39 Ewin Tang introduction 02:59 Recommendation engines and matrices 06:25 What is an algorithm? 07:45 The ‘Recommendation Problem’ and quantum computing 09:59 The difference between quantum and classical algorithms 18:40 Tang proves classical algorithm beats quantum alternative 20:11 Janna and Steve discuss Tang’s breakthrough 21:39 "Dequantizing" algorithms 23:54 Will quantum computing fulfill its promise? 24:30 Modeling quantum physical systems 29:19 Modeling chemical reactions of nitrogenases 30:58 Finding practical applications for your research 32:15 AI and quantum computing 34:12 Janna and Steve on the importance of blue sky research ----------- The Joy of Why is an editorially independent publication supported by the Simons Foundation. Funding decisions by the Simons Foundation have no influence on the selection of topics, guests, or other editorial decisions in this podcast, or in Quanta Magazine. The Joy of Why is produced by PRX productions. The production team is Caitlin Faulds, Livia Brock, Genevieve Sponsler, and Merritt Jacob. The executive producer of PRX Productions is Jocelyn Gonzalez. Edwin Ochoa is our project manager. From Quanta Magazine, Simon Frantz and Samir Patel provided editorial guidance, with support from Matt Carlstrom, Samuel Velasco, Simone Barr, and Michael Kanyongolo. Samir Patel is Quanta's Editor in Chief. Our theme music is from APM Music. The episode art is by Peter Greenwood, and our logo is by Jaki King and Kristina Armitage. Special thanks to the Columbia Journalism School and the Cornell Broadcast Studios. --------- Quanta Magazine is an editorially independent publication supported by the Simons Foundation. We focus on developments in mathematics, theoretical physics, theoretical computer science and the basic life sciences. READ free math and science articles on the Quanta website: www.quantamagazine.org LEARN about the Simons Foundation: www.simonsfoundation.org FOLLOW our social channels: Instagram: quantamag Bluesky: @quantamagazine.bsky.social‬ Facebook: quantanews X: quantamagazine