Why Quantum Computing Changes What’s Possible with Princeton Dean of Engineering Andrew Houck (#290)
2/24/202618 min
The rules of quantum physics aren’t just strange - they’re usable. Particles can exist in multiple states at once. Observation can reshape reality.
Now, scientists are turning those quirks into machines that could solve problems today’s computers simply can’t touch.
Princeton Engineering Dean Andrew Houck breaks down what quantum computing really is, what it can (and can’t yet) do, and why it could transform fields from drug discovery to energy.
A clear-eyed look at the weirdest laws of the universe and the revolutionary technology they may soon power.
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First 90 secondsLynn Thoman· Host0:00
[chime] Quantum computers promise to solve problems today's machines can't touch. They don't just work faster; they work completely differently. That difference comes from a world where the rules themselves break down. Particles can exist in multiple states at once. They can be separated by vast distances, even across galaxies, and remain mysteriously linked. And simply observing something changes it. So what happens when we learn to harness that kind of power? And how does quantum change how we see reality? [music] Hi, everyone. I'm Lynn Tolman, and this is Three Takeaways. On Three Takeaways, I talk with some of the world's best thinkers, business leaders, writers, politicians, newsmakers, and scientists. Each episode ends with three key takeaways to help us understand the world and maybe even ourselves a little better. Today, I'm excited to be with Andrew Houck. Andrew is Dean of Princeton's Engineering School and a professor of electrical and computer engineering. He runs one of the world's leading quantum computing labs. His work sits at the frontier of what's possible, and he's building computers that harness the strange