The Origins of Quantum Computing

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In the 1980s, Deutsch decided to go over a famous paper written in 1936 by Alan Turing. In it, Turing outlined his idea of a universal machine that could solve any mathematical problem. He pointed out that Turing had been working with classical physics without considering the new field of quantum physics. So Deutsch came up with the idea of the quantum computer - a hypothetical computer that operated according to the laws of quantum physics and could do computations far beyond the capacities of classical computers.

In the final episode of this Tech Tonic series, we hear how radical quantum ideas are reshaping our fundamental understanding of the universe. Nobel Prize winner Anton Zeilinger tells the FT’s Madhumita Murgia about the future of teleportation and the quantum internet; quantum computing pioneer David Deutsch makes the case for the theory that we live in a multiverse; and FT innovation editor John Thornhill speaks to physicist Carlo Rovelli about relational quantum mechanics.

Presented by Madhumita Murgia and John Thornhill, produced by Josh Gabert-Doyon and Edwin Lane. Executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Sound design by Breen Turner and Samantha Giovinco. Original music by Metaphor Music. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.

We're keen to hear more from our listeners about this show and want to know what you'd like to hear more of, so we're running a survey which you can find at ft.com/techtonicsurvey. It takes about 10 minutes to complete and you will get a chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort Earbuds.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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