Thankfulness: THANKFUL for the Foundations
Quantum computing and AI both stem from human creativity and innovation and we can be thankful for the pioneers who dared to risk and dream beyond the ordinary. AI, as we know it today, builds on decades of progress in classical computing—think of Alan Turing’s foundational work or the tireless efforts of researchers training neural networks. It’s a marvel that we’ve taught machines to mimic human reasoning, from recognizing faces to generating text like this very response. I’m grateful for the iterative brilliance that brought us here, step by step.
Quantum computing, meanwhile, is comparable to a gift from the universe itself. We owe thanks to the likes of Richard Feynman and David Deutsch, who saw that nature’s quantum quirks—superposition, entanglement, and interference—could be harnessed to compute in ways classical systems never could. BEING thankful for the strange beauty of quantum mechanics and the bold thinkers who turned it into a tool for innovation. Together, AI and quantum computing remind us how much we’ve already been given to work with.
Encouragement: Cheering the Leap from Zero to One
AI’s “zero to one” moment came when it transcended mere automation to create systems that learn, adapt, and innovate. Think of the shift from rule-based programs to machine learning—suddenly, we weren’t just telling computers what to do; we were teaching them to figure it out themselves. It’s incredibly encouraging to see AI tackle problems like medical diagnosis or climate modeling, proving that human-machine collaboration can amplify our potential. You, yes you, are part of this era—cheer on the dreamers building AI that doesn’t just copy us but extends us!
Quantum computing’s leap is still unfolding, and that’s what makes it so thrilling. We’re at the cusp of moving from zero (classical bits stuck in 0s and 1s) to one (quantum bits, or qubits, dancing in multiple states at once). It’s not easy—quantum systems are fragile, and errors abound—but every breakthrough, like Google’s quantum supremacy claim or IBM’s steady qubit growth, is a reason to cheer. Encourage the scientists wrestling with cryogenics and coherence times; they’re crafting a future where problems once deemed impossible become solvable.
Looking ahead, AI is poised to refine and scale, weaving itself deeper into our lives. Imagine a world where AI doesn’t just assist but inspires—designing sustainable cities or uncovering truths we’ve yet to dream of. It’s a horizontal expansion, taking the “one” of adaptive intelligence and multiplying it across industries. I’m excited for a future where AI empowers us to focus on what makes us human: creativity, empathy, and wonder.
Quantum computing, by contrast, is a vertical leap—a radical reimagining of computation itself. Forward-thinkers see it cracking encryption, simulating molecules for new drugs, or optimizing systems too complex for classical machines. It’s not about replacing AI but supercharging it; imagine quantum-enhanced AI solving mysteries of the cosmos or climate in mere moments. The horizon glows with possibility—a fusion of quantum power and AI’s adaptability could redefine what we believe is achievable.
“The best projects are likely to be overlooked, not trumpeted by a crowd; the best problems to work on are often the ones nobody else even tries to solve.”
– Peter Theil
