Everything suggests a war around quantum computing.

JOSE IGNACIO LATORRE: THE professor of Theoretical Physics and one of the most important Spanish experts in quantum physics warns about the ethical consequences of quantum computing.

For José Ignacio de la Torre, professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Barcelona, ??director of the Benasque Pedro Pascual Science Center and one of the most recognized Spanish researchers in the field of quantum physics, the new Google study proclaiming supremacy Quantum represents a "qualitative leap, without a doubt." However, the author of "Ethics for Machines" (Ariel) warns that "great power comes with great responsibility", and points out that the ethical debate must be present throughout the evolution of the new quantum era.

Are we really facing a technological milestone?

Google has made the official announcement: it has managed to build a 53-qubit quantum computer and with it it has managed to make a calculation that has no use but is not reproducible by any classical computer, according to the company. In the article there are very remarkable advances from the point of view of the construction of the quantum computer that are really impressive.

José Ignacio Latorre, one of the greatest experts in quantum physics in Spain - Planeta
JOSÉ IGNACIO LATORRE
"Everything suggests a war around quantum computing"
The professor of Theoretical Physics and one of the most important Spanish experts in quantum physics warns about the ethical consequences
Google publishes demonstration of quantum supremacy
What is quantum supremacy?
IBM already rejected Google`s milestone on Monday
For José Ignacio de la Torre, professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Barcelona, ??director of the Benasque Pedro Pascual Science Center and one of the most recognized Spanish researchers in the field of quantum physics, the new Google study proclaiming supremacy Quantum represents a "qualitative leap, without a doubt." However, the author of "Ethics for Machines" (Ariel) warns that "great power comes with great responsibility", and points out that the ethical debate must be present throughout the evolution of the new quantum era.

Are we really facing a technological milestone?

Google has made the official announcement: it has managed to build a 53-qubit quantum computer and with it it has managed to make a calculation that has no use but is not reproducible by any classical computer, according to the company. In the article there are very remarkable advances from the point of view of the construction of the quantum computer that are really impressive.

Google publishes demonstration of quantum supremacy - ABC
What do you think of the career with IBM?

To attend to the fight between Google and IBM would be to lose focus of what is really happening. Because we are reaching such an advanced technological level that we have managed to make matter at its most basic level, where quantum mechanics is the law, can be controlled with a very low error. This means that quantum computers are advancing with a very firm step and that they will come to dominate several areas relevant to our economy in a few years. It would be a mistake to fall into the little race between IBM and Google. Still, it`s true what IBM says, but you can`t take huge credit for what Google has done.

How do you perceive the entry of private companies into the field of knowledge, which until now was in the hands of universities?

For the first time we are getting to see a spectacular level of technological advance in private hands. There is an ethical danger with respect to how it will be used, with whom, for what, with what applications, with what supervision - if there is any - and with what biases. With which, in my opinion, there is an ethical debate that will increase in the coming years. And it has an ancient paragon with the construction of the atomic bomb, which was born into the hands of a state and there was also a debate about whether it was shared or not. We all know that this ended a spectacular geopolitical war. And everything suggests that there is going to be a geopolitical war around quantum computing.

So, does ethics have to prevail over progress?

Hardly anyone talks about the ethical side of the matter. We got to the steam engine and made the industrial revolution thinking only of humans. And we also build incredible cities, huge workdays and we have spent centuries trying to correct those mistakes. Now we are entering the era of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and I would like there to be a bit of reflection. Governments need to understand that advanced technology requires ethical decisions and therefore legislation.

Quantum computing opens the debate on future applications as well. Will we have quantum desktop computers?

No, it is true that that does not make much sense. Because we have enough with a Word or Excel sheet to do calculations. It`s like thinking that since there are computers, there shouldn`t be pencils. To write a note at home, you don`t need a computer. The same thing happens with quantum computing. Not all computer calculations are hard enough to require quantum computing. But yes those of quantum chemistry, for example. It also opens the door to directly designing drugs, not making them by trial and error. And it opens the great door of cryptography: if a quantum computer breaks the current cryptology protocols, the security of the whole Earth must be changed. It has far-reaching consequences, but not necessarily of daily utility.

What specific fields do you think will be the great beneficiaries?

They will be quantum chemistry, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and, in general, all optimization processes. In all these fields there is going to be a lot of quantum play.

Some people compare it to the first flight of the Wright brothers. Do you agree?

Yes, only that times are accelerating. Nowadays, when ideas are proven viable, the big money comes from serious mutual funds, like Google, and then all the cycles suddenly accelerate.

Is the future here or will we still have to wait?

We, who are given access to this technology, already have many ideas about applications. I estimate that in the next three years there is going to be a flurry of progress. And that it shows in society, I estimate that about ten years. But quantum technology is here.