Schrödinger's TikTok: both banned and not banned at the same time
Advanced Computing, AI/ML, Chips, and Extended Reality
Good morning,
If you’re not an industry insider, you may not be aware that last summer the U.N. declared 2025 to be the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. They made this move to honor the 100 years from the ‘discovery’ of quantum mechanics. Of course this is a bit disingenuous and we don’t want to bore our readers with too much historical minutiae.
An irresponsibly brief history of quantum science and technology
While 1925 was the year that Werner Heisenberg published his Umdeutung (Reinterpretation) paper “On the quantum-theoretical reinterpretation of kinematical and mechanical relationships” in the German journal Zeitschrift fur Physik. That as good of a start-point as any, really, to claim for quantum S&T.
In reality, of course, Heisenberg was building on the scientific work of others for some time (e.g., Max Planck's quantum hypothesis in 1900 or Albert Einstein's work on the photoelectric effect in 1905). We can invoke Thomas Kuhn here, who in his work “On the Structure of Scientific Revolutions” outlined how science tends to evolve through stages including:
Normal science
Anomalies
Crisis
Revolution
Paradigmatic shift
Post-revolution normalization
Using Kuhn’s model, Planck’s hypothesis really kicked off the crisis, as it sought to resolve anomalies that scientists observed in blackbody radiation (how materials emit specific colors of light when heated) , and introduced the idea that energy comes in discrete packets, called ‘quanta’. Heisenberg’s paper, then, provided the spark of the revolution building on Planck’s theory.
Naturally, there was a fair amount of push-back against quantum mechanics including from many of the physicists responsible for advancing it. Notably, Einstein rejected the idea that ‘God plays dice with the universe.’ Nevertheless, over a period of 10-20 years, the paradigm shifted—in part propelled by the Manhattan Project—to accepting quantum mechanics as science.
Quantum mechanics for Dummies, Part 1
Right, over the next few weeks, we’re going to provide a very high-level survey of quantum mechanics. It’s important to understand some degree of the science to better understand today and tomorrow’s technologies.
Quantum mechanics is the branch of science that explores and describes the behavior of the smallest building blocks of our universe, like atoms and the particles within them. Unlike the world we see around us, where objects follow predictable rules (like a ball rolling down a hill), the tiny world of quantum mechanics operates under very different, often surprising rules. At this level, particles can behave like waves, be in multiple places at once, or even seem to "choose" their properties when we observe them.
One of the key ideas in quantum mechanics is superposition, which means particles like electrons can exist in many states at once until something causes them to settle into one state. Another important concept is entanglement, where two particles become connected in such a way that even if they’re far apart, the state of one instantly affects the other. These ideas sound strange because they challenge our everyday experience, but they have been proven through countless experiments.
Quantum mechanics isn’t just a theory—it’s the foundation for much of the modern technology we use today. Devices like lasers, smartphones, and even the computers that power the internet rely on quantum principles to function. It’s also opening doors to future technologies, like quantum computers, which promise to solve problems much faster than traditional computers.
Though quantum mechanics can be hard to wrap our heads around, it’s a fascinating reminder that the universe is far more mysterious and complex than it seems. It shows us that even in the tiniest corners of existence, there’s a rich and surprising world waiting to be understood.
Next week, we’ll dig into how light is able to be both a particle and a wave, a concept known as wave-particle duality.
Alright, enough quantizing. Let’s dig in to the news.
News Headlines:
TikTok goes dark in the United States (TC)
But the lights are turned back on quickly as Trump promises a 90-day moratorium on the ban (RT)
Following a series of government hacks, Biden closes his administration with new cybersecurity order (PP)
In effort to foil Trump’s planned revenge, Biden proactively pardons Milley, Fauci, January 6th Commission (AP)
German Ambassador to the U.S. predicts disruption of checks and balances, consolidation of power in executive branch, and Big Tech gaining ‘co-governing powers’ under Trump administration (RT)
Quantum Tech:
Collaborative partnerships are paving the way for breakthroughs in quantum-centric supercomputing (WEF)
Boulder, Colorado gets trio of new quantum incubation spaces (CUB)
Despite Huang’s claim that ‘very useful quantum is decades away’, Nvidia is scooping up quantum talent today (QI)
Nvidia announces first ‘Quantum Day’ (IWT)
Schrödinger's Cat breakthrough could usher in the 'Holy Grail' of quantum computing, making them error-proof (PHYS)
MIT sets world record with 99.998% fidelity in quantum computing breakthrough using fast control methods (IE)
'Magic-wavelength optical tweezers' achieve quantum entanglement of molecules (PHYS)
AI / ML
Pentagon: ‘AI is speeding up the kill-chain’ (TC)
OpenAI’s reasoning model sometimes ‘thinks’ in Chinese, and no one really knows why (TC)
China’s AI is getting better and cheaper: DeepSeek catches up to ChatGPT, Claude (AX)
DOD’s AI hub assembles new budget and programming cell to confront ‘pain points’ (DS)
Army evaluating genAI tools to support business ops (DS)
Marine commandant wants 'off-the-shelf' generative AI tools for the Corps (DS)
AI isn’t very good at history: paper (TC)
OpenAI's GPT-4o gets green light for top secret use in Microsoft's Azure cloud (DS)
OpenAI urges US to prioritize AI funding, regulation to stay ahead of China (RT)
Biden signs ambitious order to bolster energy resources for AI data centers (AP)
Deepfake: AI-generated video purported to show apocalyptic scenes from LA wildfires (RT)
OpenAI has added ‘agentic features’ to ChatGPT (MH)
Mira Murati’s AI startup makes first hires, including former OpenAI execs (WI)
Deepfake: AI ‘kissing apps’ are taking deepfakes mainstream (FBS)
Nanotech, Nanomaterials, Chips
U.S. strengthens restrictions on advanced computing chips to prevent diversion to China (RT)
U.S. blacklists Chinese companies over TSMC chips in Huawei processor (RT)
Tech supplier Arm plans to hike prices, has considered developing its own chips (RT)
Department of Commerce signs four new CHIPS funding agreements (DCD)
Chipmaker Wolfspeed closes Texas plant, lists it for sale (DCD)
Deal Flow:
Funds
Insight Partners raised $12.5B for its Fund XIII to continue investments usually ranging from $5-$500M, largely focused on software companies (PRN)
VC
Instabase raised a $100M Series D led by the Qatar Investment Authority to help companies manage unstructured data (TC)
SEEQC has raised $30M in funding co-led by Booz Allen Ventures and NordicNinja to explore how to leverage classical computing to manage quantum processors (TC)
Photon IP, a startup manufacturing advanced low-power optical chips, raised a $5.2M seed round led by Innovation Industries (EUS)
Debt
Databricks secured over $5B in bank and private credit financing from lenders including JPMorgan, Barclays, Goldman, Morgan Stanley, Blackstone, Apollo, and Blue Owl (BBG)
Opportunities:
The opening ceremony for the International Year of Quantum is in two weeks in Paris and entry is free (Q25)
Time is running out to get in early on DARPA’s quantum sensing program RoQS (SAM)
Editor’s Picks:
Luis Romero thinks that Quantum could achieve singularity moment in 2025, in a ‘ChatGPT moment’.
Summer Myatt outlines quantum implications for defense.
Writing for Foreign Affairs, Anne Neuberger outlines how AI could impact espionage.
Lighter Side:
Keep Building,
BOF