Artwork

Content provided by 632nm Podcast, Misha Shalaginov, Michael Dubrovsky, and Xinghui Yin. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by 632nm Podcast, Misha Shalaginov, Michael Dubrovsky, and Xinghui Yin or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.
Player FM - Podcast App
Go offline with the Player FM app!

Quantum Complexity: Scott Aaronson on P vs NP and the Future

2:01:49
 
Share
 

Manage episode 494683893 series 3659265
Content provided by 632nm Podcast, Misha Shalaginov, Michael Dubrovsky, and Xinghui Yin. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by 632nm Podcast, Misha Shalaginov, Michael Dubrovsky, and Xinghui Yin or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

In this episode of the 632nm podcast, Scott Aaronson shares his early fascination with calculus at age 11 and how “rediscovering” old mathematics led him toward groundbreaking work in complexity theory. He gives a lucid explanation of P vs NP, revealing how seemingly trivial questions about verifying solutions speak to some of the deepest unsolved problems in all of computing.

Aaronson also explores the frontiers of quantum computing, from the nuances of quantum supremacy experiments to the idea of quantum money and certified randomness. He explains how amplitudes—rather than straightforward probabilities—unlock powerful interference effects, yet still face limits imposed by measurement. The conversation concludes with a look at the future of fault-tolerant quantum computers and the possibility that we’ve finally reached the ultimate horizon of computability—unless nature has even stranger surprises in store.

02:01 Early Fascination with Mathematics
05:10 Exploring Complexity Theory
09:10 Understanding P vs NP
22:38 The Significance of P vs NP in Cryptography and AI
35:04 Mapping Problems and NP Completeness
38:37 Quantum Computing and BQP
41:41 Shor's Algorithm and Cryptography
45:39 Simulating Quantum Systems
52:04 Digital vs Analog Quantum Computers
58:18 Grover's Algorithm and Quantum Speedup
01:02:04 Challenges in Quantum Algorithm Development
01:06:41 Beam Splitter Networks and Quantum Sampling
01:15:22 Quantum Computing and Information Storage
01:17:24 Shor's Algorithm and Factoring Numbers
01:20:56 Google's Quantum Supremacy Demonstration
01:49:19 Quantum Money and Unclonable Cash
01:57:15 The Future of Quantum Computing

Follow us:

Twitter: https://x.com/632nmPodcast
Substack: https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/
Michael Dubrovsky: https://x.com/MikeDubrovsky
Misha Shalaginov: https://x.com/MYShalaginov
Xinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYin

Subscribe:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/632nm/id1751170269
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4aVH9vT5qp5UUUvQ6Uf6OR
Website: https://www.632nm.com

  continue reading

28 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 494683893 series 3659265
Content provided by 632nm Podcast, Misha Shalaginov, Michael Dubrovsky, and Xinghui Yin. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by 632nm Podcast, Misha Shalaginov, Michael Dubrovsky, and Xinghui Yin or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

In this episode of the 632nm podcast, Scott Aaronson shares his early fascination with calculus at age 11 and how “rediscovering” old mathematics led him toward groundbreaking work in complexity theory. He gives a lucid explanation of P vs NP, revealing how seemingly trivial questions about verifying solutions speak to some of the deepest unsolved problems in all of computing.

Aaronson also explores the frontiers of quantum computing, from the nuances of quantum supremacy experiments to the idea of quantum money and certified randomness. He explains how amplitudes—rather than straightforward probabilities—unlock powerful interference effects, yet still face limits imposed by measurement. The conversation concludes with a look at the future of fault-tolerant quantum computers and the possibility that we’ve finally reached the ultimate horizon of computability—unless nature has even stranger surprises in store.

02:01 Early Fascination with Mathematics
05:10 Exploring Complexity Theory
09:10 Understanding P vs NP
22:38 The Significance of P vs NP in Cryptography and AI
35:04 Mapping Problems and NP Completeness
38:37 Quantum Computing and BQP
41:41 Shor's Algorithm and Cryptography
45:39 Simulating Quantum Systems
52:04 Digital vs Analog Quantum Computers
58:18 Grover's Algorithm and Quantum Speedup
01:02:04 Challenges in Quantum Algorithm Development
01:06:41 Beam Splitter Networks and Quantum Sampling
01:15:22 Quantum Computing and Information Storage
01:17:24 Shor's Algorithm and Factoring Numbers
01:20:56 Google's Quantum Supremacy Demonstration
01:49:19 Quantum Money and Unclonable Cash
01:57:15 The Future of Quantum Computing

Follow us:

Twitter: https://x.com/632nmPodcast
Substack: https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/
Michael Dubrovsky: https://x.com/MikeDubrovsky
Misha Shalaginov: https://x.com/MYShalaginov
Xinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYin

Subscribe:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/632nm/id1751170269
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4aVH9vT5qp5UUUvQ6Uf6OR
Website: https://www.632nm.com

  continue reading

28 episodes

All episodes

×
 
Loading …

Welcome to Player FM!

Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.

 

Quick Reference Guide

Copyright 2025 | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | | Copyright
Listen to this show while you explore
Play