Episodes
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In Episode 143, Patrick and Ciprian break down Microsoft's Majorana 2 announcement and what it means for the future of topological quantum computing. The team cover the physics behind the tetron architecture, why switching from aluminum to lead in the nanowire construction matters, and what coherence times north of twenty seconds — and in some cases a full minute — represent for the field. The conversation weighs Microsoft's history of playing close to the vest, the DARPA program backing the approach, and the newly aggressive 2029 commercial timeline. Patrick and Ciprian also disclose their long history as Microsoft partners and VPs, and close with a broader look at where the modality race stands heading into what may be the final stretch of the NISQ era.
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In Episode 142, Yuping Huang, CEO and Chairman of Quantum Computing Inc and Physics Professor at Stevens Institute of Technology, joins Patrick and Ciprian to make the case for photonics, not just as a modality, but as a philosophy. QCI's approach starts with the physics rather than mapping quantum onto classical architecture, leading to machines that look nothing like what most people expect a quantum computer to look like. Yuping walks through the deceptively hard problem of deterministically generating entangled photon pairs, why you don't need a million entangled photons to build something useful, and why QCI operates entirely at room temperature, if it can't fit in a backpack, it won't end up in users' hands. The conversation closes on Neural Wave, a hybrid photonic-digital system that offloads computation into the optical domain and cuts AI energy consumption by orders of magnitude.
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Missing episodes?
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In Episode 141, Mike Piech, Vice President of Business Development at Rigetti Computing, joins Patrick and Ciprian to talk hardware. Rigetti recently announced their 108-qubit system and is targeting 99.5% two-qubit gate fidelity by end of year, with a thousand physical qubits in sight by 2029. Mike breaks down why superconducting qubits are built on decades of semiconductor manufacturing know-how, what the Josephson junction actually does and why non-linearity is the key to isolating a usable qubit state, and why a macroscopic circuit behaving quantumly is one of the more remarkable phenomena in modern physics. The conversation also covers Rigetti's international work — including a 36-qubit system at the UK National Quantum Computing Centre and a new 108-qubit deployment in India with CDAC. The time to start learning quantum is now.
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In Episode 140, Patrick and Ciprian are joined by Yoon Auh, founder of NUTS Technologies & BOLTS Technologies. The team discuss the unique approach to cryptography designed to future-proof data against quantum threats. Discover how his protocols enable dynamic encryption, adapting to evolving security needs. This conversation highlights the urgency of innovation and the strategic role of adaptable cryptography in today's rapidly changing landscape.
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In Episode 139, Patrick and Ciprian are joined by Bert de Jong, senior scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The team discusses quantum computing's role in material science and energy, exploring industry challenges and strategic partnerships. The conversation emphasizes innovation urgency and national labs' influence on the future.
Bert de Jong is the Director of the Quantum Systems Accelerator, which is part of the National Quantum Initiative. In addition, de Jong is the Team Director of the Accelerated Research for Quantum Computing (ARQC) Team MACH-Q, funded by DOE ASCR, focused on developing software stacks for near-term quantum computing devices. In addition, de Jong has a program in AI and machine learning to understand biomolecular processes, and discover new materials and molecular crystals for gas adsorption. de Jong serves as the Department Head for Computational Sciences, and leads the Applied Computing for Scientific Discovery Group, which advances scientific computing by developing and enhancing applications in key disciplines, as well as developing HPC, quantum and AI tools and libraries for addressing general problems in computational science.
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In Episode 138, Patrick and Ciprian explore how MIT’s new photonic chip approach promises to pave the way for more scalable, energy-efficient trapped ion quantum computers. The team discuss why controlling ions with integrated photonics could dramatically lower costs, boost qubit stability, and solve long-standing scalability hurdles. They also break down how these tiny antennas routing light directly to the trapped ions remove the need for bulky external lasers, opening the door to compact, room-temperature quantum systems, potentially revolutionizing everything from nanotech to medicine.
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In Episode 137, Scott Genin, Vice President of Materials Discovery at OTI Lumionics, unveils how GPU-accelerated quantum chemistry is revolutionizing material science. The discussion highlights the limitations of current quantum hardware and the role of AI in overcoming these challenges. Scott shares insights into how classical simulations can mimic quantum computers, pushing the boundaries of what's possible. He emphasizes the significance of these advancements for real-world applications, from OLEDs to new catalysts. This episode is essential for anyone interested in the future of quantum computing and material discovery. See more about the announcement here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.08883
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In Episode 136, Patrick and Ciprian dive into the last five years of Entangled Things and explore potential of quantum computing over the next five years, focusing on the critical signals that indicate breakthrough moments. They discuss the parallels between quantum and AI advancements, highlighting how sudden leaps in technology can redefine industries. The conversation covers the evolution of quantum sensors, the synergy between classical and quantum computing, and the importance of error correction and qubit stability.
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In Episode135, Patrick, Ciprian, and Nanak Nihal Khalsa discuss the critical importance of transitioning to post-quantum cryptography. The team explore the challenges faced by the industry, the dual threats posed by AI and quantum computing, and the need for proactive measures to secure digital identities and assets. The discussion highlights the urgency of addressing these issues before they become imminent threats, emphasizing the role of narratives in shaping the future of blockchain and quantum computing.
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In Episode 134, Ray Harishankar discusses the critical importance of quantum safe. He highlights the challenges posed by quantum algorithms, the need for enterprises to understand their encryption, and the steps to take to address these issues. The discussion also covers the current state of awareness among organizations, the importance of taking action now, and the need for industry collaboration to ensure a secure future against quantum threats.
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In Episode 133, Yuval Boger from QuEra discusses the revolutionary impact of room-temperature quantum computing, focusing on the advancements in neutral atom technology. The conversation covers the scalability of error-corrected qubits, and the strategic benefits over other quantum modalities. Yuval also highlights the importance of collaborations with institutions like Harvard and MIT, and the implications for industries such as pharmaceuticals and cryptography. This episode emphasizes the need for industries to adapt to these innovations, paving the way for a new era of technological advancement.
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In Episode 132, Patrick and Ciprian delve into the multifaceted world of quantum technology, discussing its implications in computing, communication, security, and sensing. They explore the current state of quantum computing, the challenges of quantum key distribution, and the potential synergy between quantum technology and artificial intelligence. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding quantum phenomena and its applications in various fields, emphasizing the need for continued research and innovation.
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In episode 131, Patrick and Ciprian delve into the complexities of quantum entanglement, discussing its implications, measurement challenges, and its critical role in quantum computing and communication. They explore recent findings on the nature of measurement, and provide analogies to simplify quantum concepts. The conversation highlights the ongoing mysteries of entanglement and its foundational importance in the quantum realm.
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In Episode 130, Rich Campagna from Palo Alto Networks discusses the critical importance of preparing for quantum security threats, particularly focusing on post-quantum cryptography. The conversation covers the urgency of upgrading security infrastructure, the challenges organizations face in this transition, and the concept of crypto agility to future-proof security measures. Rich also highlights the role of AI in enhancing cybersecurity and the practical limitations of quantum key distribution. The episode emphasizes the need for organizations to take proactive steps in managing their cryptographic inventory and preparing for the inevitable shift to quantum-resistant algorithms.
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In Episode 129, Toby Cubitt, co-founder and CTO of Phasecraft, discusses the evolution and future of quantum computing. He emphasizes the importance of hybrid algorithms, the challenges in material science, and the need for efficient quantum algorithms. The discussion also highlights the significance of diverse educational backgrounds in the field and recent developments at Phasecraft, including funding and new tools for quantum applications. Overall, the conversation provides insights into the current state and future prospects of quantum computing.
Toby has worked in quantum computing for over 20 years, with expertise in quantum information theory and quantum complexity. He holds a PhD from the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics and is Professor of Quantum Information at University College London. Toby was awarded a Whitehead Prize in 2019 by the London Mathematical Society. He has held a Royal Society University Research Fellowship and co-founded Phasecraft to help bring practical quantum computing closer to reality.
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In Episode 128, Patrick and Ciprian speak with returning guest Murray Thom, Vice President of Quantum Technology Evangelism at D-Wave. The team discuss the transformative potential of quantum computing in various sectors. They explore the current state of quantum technology, its applications in business, and the importance of hybrid computing solutions. Murray shares insights on real-world case studies, the challenges of implementing quantum solutions, and the future of quantum computing in relation to AI and energy efficiency.
Murray Thom, VP of Quantum Technology Evangelism at D-Wave, has more than 20 years of experience in the quantum computing industry. A globally recognized speaker and thought leader, Murray helps businesses and organizations around the world understand quantum computing and the transformational impact it can have for them today. In previous roles at D-Wave, he was responsible for the development and delivery of the Leap quantum cloud service and the Ocean open-source tools. Murray has led teams engaged in customer projects related to applications, algorithms, and performance testing. He has even assembled a few early quantum computers by hand.
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In Episode 127, Patrick and Ciprian speak with Samantha Mabey, Director of Product Marketing for the Data Security Solutions at Entrust, to discuss the evolving landscape of cryptography, particularly the transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC). They explore the implications of moving away from traditional algorithms like RSA and ECC, the importance of crypto agility, and the challenges organizations face in inventorying their cryptographic systems. Samantha emphasizes the need for education and awareness in understanding cryptography, the role of vendors in facilitating this transition, and the urgency for organizations to act now to secure their data against future quantum threats.
Samantha Mabey is the Director of Product Marketing for the Data Security Solutions at Entrust, where she oversees marketing strategy and communications for the cryptographic security solutions, as well as leads the efforts around Zero Trust and Post Quantum. She regularly participates in industry events and engages with industry experts on critical topics in cybersecurity, digital trust, and post quantum preparedness.
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In Episode 126, Scott Genin, Vice President of Materials Discovery at OTI Lumionics, discusses the advancements and challenges in quantum materials discovery. The conversation covers the limitations of current material simulation methods, the role of AI, and the importance of training the next generation of quantum programmers. Scott emphasizes the need for efficient problem embedding in quantum chemistry and shares insights on the future of quantum computing in material science.
Scott Genin is the Vice President of Materials Discovery at OTI Lumionics Inc., where he manages the computational design and synthesis of novel materials for organic light emitting diodes. As part of his role, he leads the development of algorithms to simulate molecules and material properties on quantum computers. Scott has a B.A.Sc in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry from Queen’s University and a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto. Scott previously worked in the pharmaceutical industry prior to joining OTI.
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In Episode 125 of Entangled Things, Patrick and Ciprian are joined by Laurence Coldicott, curator of the Quantum.Tech series of events. Together, they explore the current state and future of quantum technology, the challenges of organizing quantum events, and the relationship between quantum computing and AI. Laurence also shares insights on the industry's growth and the importance of preparing for the future of quantum advancements.
Laurence Coldicott has 15+ years experience of curating the content for some of the most successful emerging technology expos and conferences in the world. These include: CES, London Tech Week, AfricaCom, AI Summit and TV Connect.
Laurence currently leads the production for the Quantum.Tech global series of events. These events bring together the global quantum community to discuss the opportunities of not just quantum computing but quantum sensing, communication, cryptography. The events have been running since 2019; and our next event will be bringing 1000+ attendees from Fortune 500 companies, government and tech to Boston in June 2026.
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In Episode 124 of Entangled Things, Patrick is joined by Vijoy Pandey, Senior Vice President of Outshift by Cisco. Together, they explore the future of quantum networking, the power of entanglement, and how these breakthroughs will shape the next generation of technology. Vijoy also shares an exciting announcement: the launch of Cisco’s Quantum Software Stack.
Want to dive deeper? Don’t miss the Cisco Quantum Summit, happening September 30 and October 1: https://research.cisco.com/quantum-summit.
Vijoy Pandey is GM and Senior Vice President of Outshift by Cisco, leading the company's internal incubation engine that delivers what's next and new for Cisco. Outshift focuses on emerging technologies that target adjacent markets and personas, with current initiatives spanning AI-enabled infrastructure, quantum networking, and next-generation infrastructure solutions.
Outshift operates as a series of startup-like teams inside Cisco, rapidly validating which emerging technologies can become meaningful businesses for the company's future. Under Vijoy's leadership, these teams work across three key layers: agentic AI, next-gen infrastructure, quantum networking, and more. This model allows Outshift to move quickly and test multiple opportunities simultaneously while leveraging Cisco's enterprise strengths and established processes.
Vijoy oversees a broader strategic scope that includes several critical Cisco-wide initiatives. He also leads Cisco Research, driving foundational research across quantum networking, security, observability, and emerging technologies. He directs Cisco's Open Source initiatives and the Developer Network (DevNet), which leads API consistency and programmability across Cisco's portfolio while pioneering AI-native infrastructure tools. Additionally, he co-chairs Cisco's Responsible AI committee.
Vijoy holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of California, Davis, and is an inventor on over 80 patents in cloud computing, AI/ML, and distributed systems. Through his leadership of Outshift, Vijoy continues to guide Cisco's exploration of emerging technologies, ensuring the company can move quickly to capture opportunities in new markets before they fully mature.
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