Chapter 421: Determined to Win
Including several optical quantum computers that have appeared before, they do show very high computing speeds when performing specific tasks.
But apart from these specific tasks, there is no other application value.
There is still some controversy as to whether such a device can be defined as a "quantum computer ".
"If it is an optical quantum computer, it is not surprising that it can have such a computing speed. But they say this quantum computer is programmable. To be honest, I don't believe it."
"That's right. Because photons interact weakly with the environment, it is difficult to find a way to effectively manipulate photons. We generally believe that photon systems have no potential for making universal quantum computers. Photons cannot be made into quantum bits that can be manipulated quickly."
"This 'algorithm' can only be said to be a test product with no practical significance. This kind of test product is simply incapable of competing with us in quantum mechanics."
The judgments made by IBM researchers are relatively objective.
According to previous thinking, this is indeed a quantum computer that is difficult to program.
However, they did not know how many unexpected achievements Xu You had made here, allowing this optical quantum computer to program complex problems.
With these thoughts in mind, they once again sent a message to the "Suanjing" project team.
"Congratulations on successfully launching a powerful quantum computer. Can we start the quantum competition we agreed on earlier?"
They had already decided in their minds that the "Mathematical Scriptures" project team would not dare to take up the challenge.
In their estimation, the quantum computer is just a test case.
A test product that can simply achieve high scores but cannot be applied.
Isn't it said that it is 300 times faster than a vulture? If it is really that powerful, then just accept the challenge.
…
On this day, Han Shubin came to Jijing University and found Xu You.
"What's wrong, Academician Han?"
"Professor Xu, IBM has invited us to participate in a quantum competition. "
After hearing the news, Xu You felt helpless.
"Do they really want to compare with our quantum computer?" Xu You shook his head and smiled bitterly.
Xu You knew very well that the Vulture's current performance was not at the same level as the Mathematical Scriptures.
Although Vulture's combination with supercomputers has allowed it to take its computing speed and performance stability to a higher level, even surpassing the island.
But because of the route problem, it naturally cannot be compared with optical quantum computers that are good at calculations.
"It's probably because of AlphaGo's defeat last time. In front of the whole world, our Island gave them two pieces, but we still managed to defeat them in the end."
"That's true. It's indeed a bit embarrassing."
Speaking of which, Xu You didn't have any other ideas at the time. He just wanted to test the limit performance of the island quantum computer .
If I had known they would react so strongly, I might have been a little more lenient with them.
For example, let them have three pieces, let them win a game, etc.
Since they have repeatedly volunteered to fight this time, Xu You has no reason to refuse.
"Okay, then agree to them. How are we going to compare this time? Are we going to use Go again?"
Because quantum computers are very large, it is very inconvenient to move them.
The competition mode will most likely still be conducted online.
The competitive game of Go is a very good way to test calculation ability and is also a relatively fair way of playing.
"I'm not sure about the details yet. We may need to jointly formulate the rules. Professor Xu, do you have any ideas?"
In fact, compared with the so-called "quantum competition", Xu You is more concerned about the practical application value of quantum computers.
"Let them decide the rules, as long as they are fair. No matter what kind of calculation problem we solve, I believe our algorithm will be the final winner."
Xu You was very confident in the "Mathematical Classics", so there was no need for him to participate in the formulation of rules.
We can only wait and see if they can come up with any interesting way of competing.
…
"What? They accepted our challenge, and... the rules are entirely set by us?"
IBM never expected that the "Suanjing" project team not only did not reject IBM's challenge, but also gave up the right to make rules.
Such an action shows very strong self-confidence.
It seems that "mathematics" is a sure win in the quantum competition.
"Could it be that their quantum computers are really as powerful as they say?"
"Is there a possibility that they just want to use Daodao to play? Daodao's algorithm for Go is very sophisticated and it is indeed possible to make up for the gap in the computing speed of quantum computers."
When solving practical problems, computing speed is not the only consideration; algorithms are also a very important part.
And apart from Go, there is really no better way to compete.
"So that's what you're thinking... Then we can cooperate with Google. Google's artificial intelligence, combined with our quantum computers, should still give us a chance to defeat their island. If that doesn't work, we can just use Go as an additional project later."
In the field of Go, IBM obviously does not have that much confidence.
It just so happens that IBM and Google have reached a strategic partnership, which allows them to leverage each other's strengths and achieve stronger technical capabilities.
Google expressed its willingness to accept IBM's request.
Previously, it was Google that was severely humiliated by Haidao in the field of artificial intelligence.
This time, they also want to win back their position in the field of artificial intelligence.
After discussion, IBM and Google determined the content of the quantum competition.
Including weather forecasting, resource allocation, and competitive gaming.
Weather forecasting and resource allocation are both Google's main research areas in the field of artificial intelligence, and are also the areas in which they excel.
Previous island artificial intelligence has not yet involved these areas.
With these two technologies as support, Vulture will win the final quantum race even if it fails in competitive games.
After sorting out the rules of the quantum competition, IBM sent the rules to the computing project team.
"Weather forecasting, resource allocation, competitive games...they are all really good competition items."
After receiving the competition rules, Xu You also agreed with them.
The first two projects are both areas that are very meaningful to real life.
Rapid weather forecasts are critical to tackling the climate crisis and reducing the loss of life and property.
