Companies Use AI Chips to Run Quantum-based Programs
2023-04-25
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1Quantum computers promise to be millions of times faster than today's fastest supercomputers.
2They could greatly change everything from climate change research to medical development.
3The wait for these machines, though, has been long, even with the billions of dollars of investment.
4But concerns and poor stock performance of some quantum computer companies have not frightened investors.
5Instead, some are turning to startups that are using powerful chips to run quantum-based programming on traditional computers.
6In the past, quantum-based programming algorithms were too big to use in traditional computers.
7But now, artificial intelligence (AI) chips can make the process possible, industry leaders told Reuters.
8QC Ware is a programming startup that has raised more than $33 million.
9It started by creating programing that could run on quantum computers, but said it needed to change directions and find a solution that works today.
10So, QC Ware co-founder Matt Johnson said, the company turned to tech business Nvidia Corp's graphic processing units (GPU).
11Johnson said the goal is to "build a bridge to quantum processing in the future."
12GPUs are microchips that were made to process video for computer games.
13They have became so powerful that they do most of AI computing today.
14They are now being used in quantum development as well.
15This week, QC Ware is presenting a quantum-based programming called Promethium.
16It will process how chemical molecules work with other molecules on a traditional computer using GPUs.
17Robert Parrish is QC Ware's head of quantum chemistry.
18He said the programming can cut processing time from hours to minutes for molecules of 100 atoms, and months to hours for molecules of up to 2000 atoms, compared to today's programming.
19Big-name investors in quantum computing include Alphabet Inc's former chairman Eric Schmidt, Samsung, and In-Q-Tel, an investor partner of U.S. intelligence agencies.
20The startups receiving large amounts of money say they are able to make money as customers wait for quantum computers to arrive.
21That customer interest, in turn, is bringing in more investors.
22Market research firm PitchBook found that in the past 18 months, quantum programming startups including SandBoxAQ, started by Alphabet, raised about $1 billion.
23William Hurley is head of Austin-based quantum programming startup Strangeworks.
24He said in the end, the programming based on quantum physics will not perform well on quantum computers without some changes.
25Still, he said companies that start using them will have engineers "learning about quantum and the phenomenon and the process, which will better prepare them to use quantum computers at the point that they do so."
26That moment could arrive suddenly, he said.
27I'm Gregory Stachel.
1Quantum computers promise to be millions of times faster than today's fastest supercomputers. They could greatly change everything from climate change research to medical development. The wait for these machines, though, has been long, even with the billions of dollars of investment. 2But concerns and poor stock performance of some quantum computer companies have not frightened investors. Instead, some are turning to startups that are using powerful chips to run quantum-based programming on traditional computers. 3In the past, quantum-based programming algorithms were too big to use in traditional computers. But now, artificial intelligence (AI) chips can make the process possible, industry leaders told Reuters. 4QC Ware is a programming startup that has raised more than $33 million. It started by creating programing that could run on quantum computers, but said it needed to change directions and find a solution that works today. 5So, QC Ware co-founder Matt Johnson said, the company turned to tech business Nvidia Corp's graphic processing units (GPU). Johnson said the goal is to "build a bridge to quantum processing in the future." 6GPUs are microchips that were made to process video for computer games. They have became so powerful that they do most of AI computing today. They are now being used in quantum development as well. 7This week, QC Ware is presenting a quantum-based programming called Promethium. It will process how chemical molecules work with other molecules on a traditional computer using GPUs. 8Robert Parrish is QC Ware's head of quantum chemistry. He said the programming can cut processing time from hours to minutes for molecules of 100 atoms, and months to hours for molecules of up to 2000 atoms, compared to today's programming. 9One billion dollars raised 10Big-name investors in quantum computing include Alphabet Inc's former chairman Eric Schmidt, Samsung, and In-Q-Tel, an investor partner of U.S. intelligence agencies. 11The startups receiving large amounts of money say they are able to make money as customers wait for quantum computers to arrive. That customer interest, in turn, is bringing in more investors. 12Market research firm PitchBook found that in the past 18 months, quantum programming startups including SandBoxAQ, started by Alphabet, raised about $1 billion. 13William Hurley is head of Austin-based quantum programming startup Strangeworks. He said in the end, the programming based on quantum physics will not perform well on quantum computers without some changes. 14Still, he said companies that start using them will have engineers "learning about quantum and the phenomenon and the process, which will better prepare them to use quantum computers at the point that they do so." That moment could arrive suddenly, he said. 15I'm Gregory Stachel. 16Jane Lanehee Lee reported this story for Reuters. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. 17__________________________________________________________________ 18Words in This Story 19quantum - n. the smallest amount of many forms of energy (such as light) 20chip - n. a very small piece of hard material (called silicon) in a computer or other device that contains many electronic circuits 21startup - n. a new business 22algorithm - n. a set of steps that are followed in order to solve a mathematical problem or to complete a computer process 23artificial intelligence - n. an area of computer science that deals with giving machines the ability to seem like they have human intelligence 24phenomenon - n. something (such as an interesting fact or event) that can be observed and studied and that typically is unusual or difficult to understand or explain fully 25_________________________________________________________________ 26What do you think of this story? 27We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 28Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.