Keynote presentation Harry Buhrman

Abstract

Quantum computers represent a groundbreaking advancement in next-generation hardware. They harness the power of often counterintuitive quantum mechanical phenomena, such as superposition, interference, and entanglement. The fundamental building block  of a quantum computer is the quantum bit, or qubit. Unlike a classical bit, a qubit can exist in a quantum superposition, allowing it to simultaneously represent both 0 and 1.

In the 1990s, it was demonstrated that quantum algorithms running on a quantum computer could vastly outperform classical computers for specific problems. Peter Shor's renowned quantum algorithm, for example, enables a quantum computer to factor large numbers, effectively compromising much of today's cryptography.

The recent years have seen significant breakthroughs in the development of quantum computing hardware. IBM announced a roadmap targeting a 1,000-qubit machine by 2023, and Google demonstrated "quantum supremacy" using a 53-qubit device. So, what can we compute with a quantum computer, and how can it be beneficial?

In this talk, I will provide a concise introduction to quantum computing and quantum information. Moreover, I will highlight intriguing connections between this emerging paradigm and seemingly unrelated areas in computer science, mathematics, and physics. This presentation will be accessible to those without prior knowledge of quantum mechanics.