Quantum computers explained by the man behind the first such machine

This is what a quantum computer (almost) looks like. They’re so huge because of the cooling system that keeps a tiny chip’s temperature close to absolute zero.

D-Wave, a company that claims it’s the first to build a quantum computer, has been making headlines recently after Google and NASA proved that one of its machines can indeed perform quantum operations. Though not a universal quantum computer, the D-Wave machines suggest that this target might not be far off. This is subject that deserves a lot more interest, though, and if you don’t know anything about quantum computers (where to start, right?), I suggest you check out this great talk by the D-Wave founder and CTO, Geordie Rose. In a quarter hour or so, Rose speaks about how quantum computers work, in principle, and how we have to stretch our perception to fit parallel universes to be able to conceive them. He also makes three crazy predictions, which I won’t spoil. Enjoy!