The dream of “quantum computing” – harnessing the power of quantum-level mechanics in order to create computers far faster and more powerful than any available today – came a step closer to reality recently.
The Chinese “Micius” satellite has successfully set up the world’s most secure video conference, using quantum cryptography to connect scientists in Europe and China for an unhackable, intercontinental chat.
Rumors of bitcoin’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. According to a site tracking “bitcoin obituaries,” the media has proclaimed the seven-year-old cryptocurrency dead more than 100 times, yet a recent resurgence has led to a tripling in bitcoin’s price over the last year. It has survived price crashes, cyber heists and community infighting, but bitcoin’s biggest threat may still be lying dormant: quantum computers.
There is a battle raging between human and machine. Even though machine consciousness is still a long way away, computed algorithms are making choices that once needed human input. Recently Google’s AlphaGo algorithm beat a professional player in the game Go. An achievement that demonstrates the speed and development of machine capabilities. However, there is still much to do to make computers think like a human. Through games we can teach computers how to solve problems intuitively.
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