Quantum Computing Basics and Supremacy

Quantum Computers

• Quantum computers are based on quantum mechanics principles, which deal with physics at the atomic and subatomic level.
• Quantum computers leverage photons and electrons to perform operations, while classical computers use transistors.
• The basic unit of information in a quantum computer is a qubit, which can hold multiple values at once, unlike a bit in a classical computer.
• Quantum computers exhibit superposition, meaning a qubit can be both 0 and 1 simultaneously.

Quantum Supremacy

• Quantum computers can solve problems that traditional computers cannot solve in a reasonable amount of time.
• Google's Sycamore quantum computer showcased quantum supremacy by solving a problem in 200 seconds that would take the fastest supercomputer 10,000 years.
• Entanglement is a key quantum phenomenon that allows qubits to influence each other instantaneously, even over large distances.

Supercomputers in India

• India created the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in 1987/88 under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity).
• In 1991 India developed "Param 8000," the first Made-in-India supercomputer, which followed a series of other supercomputers.
• The 12th Five Year Plan (2012) allocated 2.5 billion dollars for supercomputing development in India.
• The National Supercomputing Mission was launched in 2015, aiming to build a network of high-performance computing facilities across India, effectively creating a supercomputing grid.

National Supercomputing Mission

• This mission is implemented by C-DAC under the Ministry of Science and Technology and Meity.
• It aims to develop 70 high-performance computing facilities across India, creating a supercomputing grid.
• The National Supercomputing Mission is also connected to the National Knowledge Network (NKN), which was launched in 2010 to connect research institutions through a high-bandwidth network.

Artificial Intelligence

• The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence was launched in 2020, with its secretariat hosted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris.
• It aims to encourage the development of safe and secure AI.
• The Hiroshima AI Process was launched at the 2023 G7 summit in Japan to promote safe and secure AI development.
• The Artificial Intelligence Act is a proposed law in the European Union aimed at regulating AI technology.
• The AI Safety Summit, held in Bletchley, UK, led to the Bletchley Declaration, which was signed by 28 countries, including the EU, USA, India, and China.

Proof of Work and Proof of Stake

• Proof of Work is a cryptographic mechanism often used in cryptocurrencies.
• Validators solve complex problems, which require significant energy consumption.
• Bitcoin employs Proof of Work as its consensus mechanism.
• Proof of Stake is another consensus mechanism.
• Validators stake their cryptocurrency as collateral to validate transactions.
• Proof of Stake is energy-efficient compared to Proof of Work.
• Ethereum transitioned to Proof of Stake in 2022.

4D Printing

• A type of 3D printing that involves creating objects that can change their shape and form in response to environmental factors.
• These objects can change shape based on changes in light, moisture, temperature, pressure, electricity, pH, etc.

Net Neutrality

• The principle that all internet traffic should be treated equally, regardless of content, application, or service.
• Internet service providers (ISPs) should not give preference to any specific content and should provide all users with the same speed and quality of service under similar conditions.

3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)

• This is a group of 7 international telecommunication organizations that sets standards for mobile communication.
• Founded in 1998, 3GPP’s headquarters are based in France.

Accelerometer

• An electronic device that measures acceleration forces including the acceleration of gravity.
• Accelerometers are deployed in various applications to detect changes in motion.
• Accelerometers are used in:
  • Detecting car crashes to trigger airbags
  • Detecting falls to protect sensitive devices like laptop hard drives
  • Detecting smartphone tilt to rotate the display between portrait and landscape modes.