Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize risk analysis by providing a significant speedup in Monte Carlo simulations compared to classical computers. Quantum computers offer a quadratic speedup in these simulations, with the number of samples needed scaling as 1 over epsilon, in contrast to the classical 1 over epsilon squared. This leads to a remarkable improvement in accuracy and efficiency, enabling the analysis of risk models with greater precision within the same computational budget. While quantum computers are not superior in all tasks, their advancements in Monte Carlo simulations have profound implications for risk analysis in various industries, offering the promise of enhanced innovation and transformative solutions to longstanding challenges.
Dr. William Zeng is founder and President of the Unitary Fund, a non-profit dedicated to developing the quantum ecosystem to benefit the most people. He previously led initial development of Rigetti Computing’s quantum cloud platform, and is co-inventor of the Quil quantum instruction language. He was named to Forbes’ 30 under 30 in the Science category for his work on quantum computing. Dr. William was one of the first recipients of an O’Shaughnessy Fellowship, which is a one-year program for ambitious people who want to build something great. Fellows receive a $100,000 grant and access to OSV’s network of founders, investors and experts to support them in bringing their projects to life. Dr. William is using his fellowship grant to study how emerging quantum technologies can explore foundational questions in quantum mechanics. Important Links:
Show Notes:
- An introduction to quantum computing
- Regular computers vs quantum computers
- The impact of simulating quantum systems
- How quantum computing can transform risk analysis
- What does a quantum world look like?
- Encryption & risk
- The benefits of an open-source ecosystem
- Wigner’s Friend experiments, agency & objective reality
- "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
- “Technology is an integration of body and mind”
- The laws of physics
- What’s next?
- MORE!
Books Mentioned:
- How the Hippies Saved Physics: Science, Counterculture, and the Quantum Revival
- The science fiction of Greg Egan
- The Beginning of Infinity: Explanations That Transform the World; by David Deutsch
- Historical Ontology; by Ian Hacking