My friend Sabine Hassenfelder just made a video that got nearly half a million views in just a couple of days. Her conclusion? Quantum computers are basically only good for doing one thing, breaking codes. Now, Sabine's brilliant, and she's right that the code breaking progress is terrifying. Google just moved up Q Day, the date in which quantum supremacy takes place, to about 2029, less than three years away. And as I've often said, quantum computers seem to be really good at doing one thing in particular, which is to simulate how quantum computers work. But I think Sabine has missed a bigger story, because right now in my lab at UC San Diego, I'm teaching my undergraduates to build quantum computers and then to program them and then eventually to launch them into space and maybe, just maybe, use them for AI in space, perhaps on the moon. Thanks to Artemis too. You'll hear from these brilliant undergraduates later on, and when you do, you'll see that what they're doing has nothing to do with breaking code.
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE Podcast
Quantum Computers Aren't Useless. You Just Don't Know How to Use Them.
Speaker
Brian Keating
Speaker
Bob Wold
Speaker
Student
Speaker
Student 2
The podcast explores the rapidly evolving world of quantum computing beyond code breaking. Sabine Hassenfelder and UC San Diego students reveal breakthroughs in quantum algorithms, practical uses, and free tools like Quantum 101 that empower listeners to learn, experiment, and even intern in this transformative field.
✨ Magic Chat
Don't have time for the full episode?
Ask anything about this conversation — get answers in seconds, sourced from the transcript.
Try asking
Featured moments
Highlights
“Beyond Code Breaking—Quantum Computers' Next Frontier: "But I think Sabine has missed a bigger story, because right now in my lab at UC San Diego, I'm teaching my undergraduates to build quantum computers and then to program them and then eventually to launch them into space and maybe, just maybe, use them for AI in space, perhaps on the moon.”
“First, Google found an algorithm that breaks encryption 20 times faster than anything we've ever had before. That cuts the qubit requirement from 10 million down to roughly half a million. They thought this was so sensitive they wouldn't even publish the algorithm.”
“Researchers Debate Publishing Groundbreaking Quantum Advances: "Scott Aronson, one of the top computer scientists alive, said that said, people in the field are reaching the point of wondering, should we publish this or not.”
“It puts a high fidelity quantum circuit simulator with hundreds of qubits and millions of gate operations right on your laptop, replicating Google's $10 million quantum supremacy experiment on your own hardware.”
“apart from the code breaking. Nobody has figured out how to turn quantum computing's theoretical advantage into a real world.”
Timeline
How it unfolded
Read along
Full transcript
And by the end of this video, you can do it too, for free. Let me give Sabine her due, because the news this week is really extraordinary. Three papers dropped in a single week. First, Google found an algorithm that breaks encryption 20 times faster than anything we've ever had before. That cuts the qubit requirement from 10 million down to roughly half a million. They thought this was so sensitive they wouldn't even publish the algorithm. Instead, they used something called Zero knowledge proof, basically a math way of proving that trust us, bro, without showing you exactly how it does so. Second, a startup called Oratomic says that they can break RSA encryption with just 26,000 qubits in about 10 days using neutral atom arrays, not the superconducting qubits I'm using in my lab, which are the same that Google and IBM are using.
This is a radical speed up and reduction in complexity. It's awful difficult to get our lab equipment down to just a few tens of millikelvin, just a whisper above absolute zero and far colder than even the CMB, which is what I study at a balmy 3 Kelvin. Now, a third paper by another group showed that they can do it with 10 times fewer qubits than the original estimates required. Sabine is right. This is real and it's accelerating faster than anyone predicted. The researchers themselves are debating whether it's even responsible to publish this stuff. Scott Aronson, one of the top computer scientists alive, said that said, people in the field are reaching the point of wondering, should we publish this or not. In 1982, when I was a wee lad before high school, even accessing a university timeshare computer meant dialing in, often using a clunky acoustic coupler modem.
That transmitted data at a screaming 300 to 1200 bits or baud. The procedure was tedious. Pick up your phone, plug it in, wait for the screeching handshake, type a text based login and issue an arcane command like rmdrc foobar just to navigate a 24 row monitor. That agonizing lag is the perfect analogy for quantum computing five years ago where you waited in a queue for a noisy 2020 qubit result from a remote cloud. Today, my friends at Quantum Rings again, not sponsored allows you to explosively advance on that timeline right now for free. It puts a high fidelity quantum circuit simulator with hundreds of qubits and millions of gate operations right on your laptop, replicating Google's $10 million quantum supremacy experiment on your own hardware. It's really a whole new world and I want my undergraduates and my viewers and listeners in the audience to take advantage of it.
The truth is that quantum computing holds immense promise. I mean unimaginable things. It's very possible that my grandchildren could grow up in a world where cancer is a thing of the past, because quantum computers have provided real time computational simulation to let us experiment with these drugs without the burden of manufacturing them ahead of time, where things like EVs could be four to ten times more efficient, drive as far as you need on a single charge with batteries that were made in a very sustainable way, with materials that were discovered because of quantum computers, where we could optimize supply chains, solving world hunger if the humans can get out of the way. Literally the biggest societal problems that exist today are in reach for quantum computers. And it's not just science fiction anymore. This recent video covers three papers in the course of essentially a week that moved the goalpost dramatically for this goal. And we used to think about this as requiring systems that took millions of qubits, and now we're talking about hundreds of thousands of qubits. And that essentially brings it from like 2035 to 2040 down to kind of like 2029, 2030 for Q Day for when quantum computers will be able to break encryption.
And if it happens in the dark, mysterious things are going to start happening and we won't know for sure that it happened.
We won't. What are they actually good for, these quantum computers? Sabine said, and I'm paraphrasing that apart from the code breaking. Nobody has figured out how to turn quantum computing's theoretical advantage into a real world. Quantum chemistry, material science optimization, financial monitoring. She says not much there has happened. And again, if you're looking at published breakthroughs, she's not wrong. And see above, as I said, quantum computers are awesome. Unrivaled at simulating how quantum computers work.
But Sabine is looking perhaps at the wrong metric. The revolution isn't in the papers, it's in the tooling. Five years ago, if you wanted to run a quantum circuit, you needed to access IBM's class. You'd wait in a huge long queue. You'd get a noisy result on maybe 20 qubits, even if you could figure out how to use it. And you'd spend more time debugging the interface than doing actual physics. Today I'm going to show you something. A free tool where you can use and learn about quantum computing.
It's called Quantum 101. It's by Quantum Rings, a quantum computer circuit simulator that runs on your laptop. Not 20 qubits, hundreds of them. Millions of gate operations. High fidelity. On your desktop, on your laptop, for free. They replicated Google's quantum supremacy experiment. The one that Google said required a 10 million dollar superconducting.
Quantum rings doesn't just simulate through their open quantum platform. You can write your circuit once and run it on real quantum hardware. And you can do that for multiple hardware vendors around the world. The same code, different machines. Imagine how cool this is. This will be on your resume. They give you $50 in free credits every 90 days. No credit card.
You can start breaking things and learning things and fixing things, but you won't break your bank. Quantum Rings built a free course called Quantum 101. And when I say free, I mean actually free, not free trial. Then you pay wallet free forever. You'll learn it. You'll go through the 14 episodes. They're self paced and they're taught by a brilliant student at MIT in the PhD program named Cora Barrett. She works in the Quantum Systems group in the engineering department with superconducting qubit arrays.
The same technology Google and IBM are using for their code breaking breakthroughs. We talked about and Sabine has mentioned. Cora's not teaching you the theory from a textbook. She's teaching you from the lab. The curriculum takes you from ground zero. Literally zero. Not zero Kelvin. But episode one is the math prerequisites and software development kit SDK setup.
It's all the way from there to building 100 qubit optimization algorithm. Cora Takes you through single qubit gates, entanglement, Grover's search algorithm, quantum Fourier transforms, Shor's factoring algorithm, which is literally the algorithm behind the code. Breaking news that Sabine broke teaches you about noise and error mitigation, the real bugaboos that maybe stand in the way of immediately achieving quantum supremacy. The course takes you through variational algorithms and quantum error correction.
We'll have some factor of E to the I theta and we call theta the phase. This will come up a lot. Another thing I think is fun is that we can more intuitively see how I squared equals minus 1.
Again, it's totally free, not sponsored. I love this group. They work with my students and here's what my students had to say.
The biggest surprise was realizing that quantum physics doesn't have to be intimidating. And it's actually kind of mind blowing. Thing is that quantum 101 turned complex theories into pure curiosity basically and made me enjoyed every second of it.
The thing that surprised me the Most about the Quantum 101 course was knowing that qubits can be stored across a wide variety of media such as neutral atoms, artificial atoms, through superconducting qubits and photons.
It's really just mind blowing to think of just thinking back on the complex theory we study in our quantum physics classes. I thought it would be much more difficult too. I saw you run my first quantum algorithm in just a few weeks. With Quantum 101. It was easy to do that.
These are physics undergraduates, including a freshman. Six weeks ago, none of them had touched a qubit. Now one of them has actually got an internship at one of the top quantum computing labs in the world in the Bay Area. Now they're all running Shor's algorithm on their MacBooks. That's not just a testimonial, that's data. Okay, now lastly, the internship. Why does this matter? And here's the part that makes this urgent. Quantum Rings is hiring summer 2026 interns right now.
Here's what their CEO and founder, Bob Wald had to say about what he's so excited with. And I've worked with Bob and done and he's graciously given me a lot of his time and free access to the to their Quantum Rings software walked us through how to get us uploaded and onboarded. So if you're an undergraduate student, graduate student, it doesn't matter. You go through Quantum 101, actually learn the material. Then after you do that, you might be a candidate for one of these positions this summer. Quantum Rings is based in Boulder, Colorado and they're working with over 250 universities and institutions worldwide. In addition to UCSD, they've executed 10 million circuits and 10 billion Quantum Gate operations on their platform. That's not a startup that might exist next year.
This is the infrastructure layer for the next generation of quantum developers. The summer 2026 internship applications are open now. I put the link in the description and it's on screen, but here's the thing. These positions will fill up.
Democratizing quantum computing is the mission of Quantum Rings. We build simulators that let you simulate quantum computers as they will be in about five to 10 years on your classical computers. Way slower, albeit than a real computer, than a real quantum computer will be. But we let you simulate what a quantum computer will be so you can start developing the software for it. Now we make it free for students and for personal use so that anybody can come and explore and innovate. We also offer Open Quantum, which you can find@openquantum.com that gives you free access to quantum computers. All the commercially available quantum computers will give $50 in free credits every 90 days for people to run and run their own experiments.
So let me bring you back to where we started. Sabine's question. What are quantum computers actually good for? It's a great question. Code breaking, yes, and clearly that's terrifying because all of our banking, all of our Bitcoin and so forth runs on that. But the real reason there's only one application showing dramatic progress right now is that code breaking has a clean, well defined problem with a known quantum speed up. Shor's algorithm has been understood since 1994. The applications in chemistry, material science, physics, drug discovery, optimization, those require people to actually build the circuits, test the algorithms and, and find the right problems. That's where a physics and engineering first workforce needs to occur.
And it doesn't really exist yet. The bottleneck isn't physics. The bottleneck is people. Right now there's maybe a few thousand people on Earth who can conceptually design and execute a quantum circuit. We need hundreds of thousands, we need a million. And the tools to train them just became free and accessible on a laptop. You don't have to come here and apply to UCSD and hope and pray you get in just to take a class that may not exist just yet. We're working on it, but for now we've got Quantum Rings to help us with their Quantum 101 program.
And that's the story I think Sabine missed. She may not have known about it. But it's not that quantum computing doesn't work for anything but code breaking. It's that we haven't had enough people at the entryway to the funnel to build the tools to help us find out what else it can do and how we can apply what it's doing now. It's like in 1982, me saying, what are personal computers good for? Like the Apple II playing the Oregon Trail. We need more people in the funnel to find out what they're actually good for. And go watch Sabine's video. I think it's great.
I'll link it right here. And I think she's right about the danger. I just think the opportunity is bigger than she's letting on. If you're a student or researcher, just curious, go through Quantum101. Let me know what you thought about it. Tell me what you built. I want to see it. Subscribe.
If you want to see more of this, you can learn more from the president of the corporation, the founder of IT as well. And if you want to learn more about quantum computing from one of the world's experts, watch my interview with one of the founders, the Titanic intellect, my friend John Preskill at Caltech. Watch that here. And don't forget to, like, comment and subscribe. See you next time on into the Impossible.
Also generated
More from this recording
🔖 Titles
Sabine Hossenfelder Quantum Computers Are More Than Just Code Breakers
Quantum Computers: Beyond Code Breaking and Into the Impossible
The Real Potential of Quantum Computing with Sabine Hossenfelder
Are Quantum Computers Only Good for Breaking Codes
Code Breaking and Beyond The Surprising Uses of Quantum Computers
Quantum Computing’s New Revolution Unlocking More Than Encryption
Quantum Computers in 2029: Breaking Codes or Changing the World
Quantum Leap: Teaching Students Real-World Quantum Computing
Sabine Hossenfelder and the Missed Opportunities of Quantum Computing
From Encryption to Innovation The Future of Quantum Computers Unveiled
💬 Keywords
Sabina Hassenfelder, quantum computers, code breaking, quantum supremacy, Q Day, Google, encryption, RSA encryption, Oratomic, neutral atom arrays, superconducting qubits, zero knowledge proof, quantum circuit simulator, Quantum Rings, Quantum 101, qubits, gate operations, Shor's algorithm, quantum chemistry, material science, optimization, drug discovery, quantum physics, AI in space, Artemis, error mitigation, variational algorithms, quantum error correction, UC San Diego, physics undergraduates, internship
ℹ️ Introduction
Episode Introduction
Welcome to The INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE Podcast. In today’s episode, we dive into the state of quantum computing, sparked by Sabine Hossenfelder’s viral claim that quantum computers are only truly good for breaking codes—a prospect both thrilling and terrifying. With the timeline for quantum supremacy moving closer than ever—some estimate as soon as 2029—we explore rapid advances in algorithms, hardware, and what these machines are actually useful for, beyond headline-grabbing encryption-breaking.
Speaker A shares insights from the frontlines at UC San Diego, where undergraduates are already building and programming quantum circuits, hinting at a future far bigger than codebreaking: new frontiers in quantum chemistry, drug discovery, and optimization might be just around the corner. We’ll hear from students whose minds have been blown by hands-on access to quantum computing tools, a new wave of accessible education programs, and the urgent need to grow a workforce ready to unlock quantum’s full potential.
Join us as we break down the recent game-changing breakthroughs, debate the true value and risks of quantum computing, and show you how to get started—no PhD or million-dollar lab required.
📚 Timestamped overview
00:00 The section discusses Sabina Hassenfelder's video claiming quantum computers excel mainly at code breaking, Google's advancement in quantum supremacy to 2029, and contrasts this with the work at a UC San Diego lab where undergraduates are learning to build, program, and potentially use quantum computers for AI in space applications.
03:27 The section discusses the potential of quantum computing to revolutionize fields such as medicine, energy, and supply chain management, highlighting recent advancements that have accelerated the timeline for achieving practical quantum computing from 2035-2040 to around 2029-2030.
08:43 Bob Wald, CEO and founder of Quantum Rings, expressed excitement about the company's significant impact, highlighting their Quantum Rings software which is used by over 250 universities globally, and provides opportunities for students after completing Quantum 101.
09:38 Quantum Rings aims to democratize quantum computing by offering simulators to develop future quantum software on classical computers, providing free access for students, personal use, and open access to real quantum computers with periodic free credits for experiments.
📚 Timestamped overview
00:00 Discussing quantum computers' potential
03:27 Impact of quantum computing advancements
08:43 Exciting Quantum Rings opportunities
09:38 Making quantum computing accessible
❇️ Key topics and bullets
Sequence of Topics Covered
Introduction to Sabine Hossenfelder's Video and Its Main Claim
Speaker A references Sabine Hossenfelder's viral video about quantum computers 00:00:00
Sabine's conclusion: quantum computers are mainly useful for breaking codes 00:00:06
Acknowledgement of the dangers of quantum codebreaking, mentioning Google's advancements (Q Day moved up to 2029) 00:00:16
Suggestion that there's a bigger story beyond codebreaking, with quantum education occurring at UC San Diego 00:00:29
Introduction to undergraduates building and programming quantum computers for purposes beyond codebreaking 00:00:43
Major Recent Developments in Quantum Computing
Three groundbreaking papers released in a week 00:00:58
Google algorithm breaking encryption 20× faster, requiring far fewer qubits 00:01:06
Oratomic startup claims breaking RSA encryption with just 26,000 qubits 00:01:22
New work reducing required qubits by a factor of 10 00:01:53
Ethical debate over publishing potentially dangerous quantum breakthroughs 00:02:03
Historical Context and Current Acceleration
Comparison to early computing experiences in the 1980s 00:02:16
Analogy between early computer access and the evolution of quantum computing 00:02:54
Quantum simulators like Quantum Rings now available for free, enabling broad access 00:03:11
Transformative Potential of Quantum Computing
Speaker B on quantum computing's potential societal impact 00:03:27
Drug discovery and treatment (e.g., curing cancer)
Improved energy storage and battery efficiency for EVs
Sustainable material discovery
Optimized supply chains, potentially solving world hunger
The rapid acceleration of quantum progress—Q Day timeline moved up from 2035–2040 to 2029–2030 00:04:21
Warnings about the dangers of undetected codebreaking ("things happening in the dark") 00:04:42
Practical Utility and Tooling Revolution
Speaker A discusses the current real-world utility of quantum computers outside of code-breaking 00:04:50
Limited progress in material science, chemistry, optimization, and financial tasks 00:04:56
The real shift isn't in current applications, but in improved tools and accessibility 00:05:10
Introduction to Quantum 101—a free, accessible quantum computing course 00:05:33
Simulator lets users work with hundreds of qubits and millions of gate operations
Same underlying technology as Google and IBM
Real quantum hardware access via the same code for different providers
Details of the Quantum 101 Course
Overview of course content and structure 00:06:14
Covers single qubit gates, entanglement
Grover's search, quantum Fourier transforms, Shor's algorithm
Quantum noise, error mitigation, variational algorithms, quantum error correction
Student Experiences and Testimonials
Undergraduate feedback on learning quantum computing 00:07:37
Demystification of quantum physics concepts
Surprise at the range of qubit platforms (neutral atoms, superconducting, photons)
Quick progress from zero experience to running quantum algorithms
Career and Internship Opportunities
Internships offered by Quantum Rings for summer 2026 00:08:36
Details about the company’s global collaborations and technical reach 00:09:10
Encouragement to students to apply and start learning now
Quantum Rings’ Mission and Offerings
Speaker B describes democratizing quantum computing 00:09:38
Simulators for developing future quantum applications on classical hardware
Free access for students and personal use
Open Quantum platform for running experiments on real quantum computers
The Core Bottleneck: Expertise, Not Just Physics
Speaker A emphasizes that the main limitation is the number of trained quantum developers 00:10:58
Call to action for more people to enter the field and for accessible training tools
Reframing the Debate and Conclusion
Speaker A argues Sabine missed the revolutionary effect of democratized tools 00:11:26
Analogy to early days of personal computing and the unknown potential 00:11:42
Encouragement to watch Sabine's video, try Quantum 101, and engage with the field 00:11:57
Additional Resources and Closing Remarks
Links to Sabine's and John Preskill's videos for further learning 00:11:59
Final encouragement for audience interaction and future episodes 00:12:26
👩💻 LinkedIn post
🚀 Exciting developments in quantum computing! After watching Sabine Hossenfelder’s viral video on the risks—and opportunities—of quantum computers, here’s what you need to know now:
🔑 3 Key Takeaways:
Quantum computing breakthroughs are accelerating: Recent papers show major advances in code-breaking algorithms, shrinking the required number of qubits from millions to just hundreds of thousands—and potentially making “Q Day” (when quantum computers can break current encryption) arrive years sooner than expected.
Opportunities go beyond code breaking: While Speaker A acknowledges the threat to encryption, the real story is about what comes next. Quantum computers have potential applications in drug discovery, materials science, optimization, and much more—if we have the talent and tools to build the right quantum circuits and algorithms.
Quantum education is being democratized—right now: You no longer need access to a cutting-edge lab or expensive hardware to learn quantum computing. Platforms like Quantum Rings offer free simulators and courses (Quantum 101), letting anyone run powerful quantum circuit simulations and even access real quantum hardware. The talent pipeline is opening up, and companies are already hiring interns for 2026!
If you’re a student, researcher, or just curious, now’s the perfect time to dive in and start experimenting. Let’s build the future together!
#quantumcomputing #innovation #careerdevelopment #AI #STEM
🧵 Tweet thread
🚀 Quantum Computing: More Than Just Code Breaking 🧵
1/ Did you know Google just moved up "Q Day"—the day quantum computers break our encryption—to 2029? That's less than 3 years away. Encryption might never be the same. 😱 (Speaker A at 00:00:16)
2/ My friend Sabina Hassenfelder says quantum computers are only good for code breaking—and yes, recent breakthroughs prove that's terrifyingly close. But that's not the whole story. (Speaker A at 00:00:06)
3/ THREE groundbreaking papers just dropped:
Google found an algorithm that breaks encryption 20x faster, slicing the required qubits from 10 million to 500k.
Another team claims RSA encryption could fall with only 26k qubits—in 10 days.
One group slashed the qubit estimate by 10x AGAIN.
(Speaker A at 00:00:58, 00:01:22, 00:01:59)
4/ Researchers are so spooked they’re debating if these results should even be published. Imagine scientists debating if knowledge is too dangerous! (Speaker A at 00:02:03)
5/ But the biggest story isn't in these headlines—it's in the hands of students and YOU. Right now, undergrads at UCSD are building, coding, and simulating quantum computers, aiming for the Moon, literally! (Speaker A at 00:00:29, 00:00:43)
6/ The real revolution? Tooling and ACCESS. Five years ago, quantum computing meant long waits and clunky results. Today, with @QuantumRings, anyone can simulate hundreds of qubits on their own laptop, for free. 📱💻 (Speaker A at 00:03:11)
7/ There’s a free course—Quantum 101—taught not from textbooks, but from real quantum labs. From zero skills to building quantum algorithms in weeks. No paywall. No catch. (Speaker A at 00:06:14)
8/ What happens when you put real quantum tools in the hands of curious minds? Students are running Shor’s algorithm on their MacBooks. Freshmen are landing internships at top labs. (Speaker A at 00:08:19)
9/ The future’s bottleneck isn’t physics—it’s PEOPLE. Right now, only a few thousand can build a quantum circuit. We need MILLIONS. Now, everyone finally has a way in. (Speaker A at 00:11:03)
10/ So yes: quantum computers could break every digital secret. But that's just the starting gate. The true potential—for curing cancer, fixing supply chains, and optimizing the world—is up to US to discover. (Speaker B at 00:03:27)
11/ Want to join the revolution or just play Oregon Trail? (Speaker A at 00:11:46) The tools are free. The impact? Only limited by imagination.
12/ Go learn, build, and show us what YOU invent. The next era of computing is here, and you don’t need a PhD—or a million dollars—to get started.
🔗 [Quantum 101 course info inside the full video!]
#QuantumComputing #FutureTech #QDay #STEM #AI #WomenInSTEM #EdTech
🗞️ Newsletter
The INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE Podcast Newsletter
Episode Highlight: Sabine Hossenfelder Quantum Computers
Quantum Computing: Breaking Codes—and Beyond
This week on INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE, we take a deep dive into the rapidly evolving world of quantum computing, inspired by Sabine Hossenfelder’s viral video and recent headline-grabbing breakthroughs in the field. Quantum computers are moving from theory to practical impact faster than anyone predicted, and we’re here to help you stay ahead of the curve.
🚨 Quantum Supremacy Moves Closer
Recent papers show algorithms that can break encryption up to 20 times faster, requiring dramatically fewer qubits—possibly accelerating the infamous Q Day to as soon as 2029!
Startups and tech giants are racing toward scalable quantum machines, with new architectures promising to break today’s cryptography in days—not years.
The implications? All our financial data, bitcoin, government secrets, and personal info could be at risk unless we act now (01:00).
🌎 But There’s More Than Code Breaking…
While Speaker A agrees with Speaker B and Sabine about the code-breaking prowess of quantum computers, he emphasizes a bigger story: the revolution is not just in theory, but in accessible quantum tooling and education.
Now, anyone can simulate hundreds of qubits and millions of gate operations right on their own laptop—for free!
The free Quantum 101 course by Quantum Rings gives you hands-on, practical training to build and experiment with quantum circuits (05:33).
Real-world applications in drug discovery, materials science, optimization, and artificial intelligence are just waiting for the next generation of creative minds.
👩🚀 Why This Matters NOW
“The bottleneck isn’t physics. The bottleneck is people.”
— Speaker A (10:58)
There are only a few thousand quantum developers worldwide. We need hundreds of thousands.
Quantum Rings is partnering with over 250 universities, bringing free, high-fidelity simulation and real quantum hardware access to students and enthusiasts.
Internship alert: Quantum Rings is taking applications for their 2026 summer program—get hands-on experience at the cutting edge!
✅ Get Involved
Try the Quantum 101 course for free—no credit card required, and no quantum background needed.
Share what you build! Speaker A wants to hear from you.
Watch Sabine Hossenfelder’s original video and our full episode for a rounded perspective on promise and peril.
Stay curious. Stay bold. The future is not just approaching—it’s here and it’s up for grabs.
👉 If you want to go deeper, check out our long-format interview with quantum computing pioneer John Preskill.
Subscribe, comment, and let us know what impossible questions YOU want answered!
— Your INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE Team
You’re receiving this email because you subscribed to the INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE Podcast newsletter. To unsubscribe, click here.
❓ Questions
Discussion Questions
What are the main concerns raised by Speaker A and Sabine Hossenfelder regarding the implications of quantum computers breaking encryption, and how soon might this become a real threat according to recent research?
How does Speaker A argue that the focus on code breaking misses the broader potential of quantum computing, and what examples do they provide to illustrate this point?
In what ways has access to quantum computing evolved over the past five years, and what tools or educational resources are now available to students and the public?
Speaker B discusses the transformative potential of quantum computers in fields like medicine, energy, and supply chains. Which potential application do you find most compelling or urgent, and why?
According to Speaker A, what is currently the biggest bottleneck to broader progress in quantum computing applications beyond code breaking?
How might mass education and programs like Quantum 101 impact the pace and direction of quantum technology development?
Speaker A mentions the ethical debate among researchers regarding the publication of sensitive quantum algorithms. What are the arguments for and against sharing these breakthroughs openly?
How does Speaker A compare the current state of quantum computing to the early era of personal computers, and what lessons can be drawn from that analogy?
What role do startups and collaborations with universities, such as Quantum Rings, play in democratizing and advancing quantum computing research?
After listening to the discussion about quantum computing’s future, how do you personally feel about the balance between its potential opportunities and risks?
curiosity, value fast, hungry for more
✅ Quantum computers: breakthrough tool or just code-breaking machines?
✅ Speaker A tackles Speaker B's bold claims about quantum computing's real-world impact.
✅ On the INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE Podcast, they dive into the latest breakthroughs, myths, and the future of quantum tech beyond code cracking.
✅ Discover why the next quantum revolution might just start on your laptop—and how you can be part of it!
Conversation Starters
Conversation Starters for the Facebook Group
Speaker A mentions that code breaking is currently the only area where quantum computers show dramatic progress. Do you think this focus on cryptography is justified, or should there be more emphasis on other potential applications? Why?
After learning about the rapid advancements in quantum computing highlighted by Speaker A and Speaker B, are you more excited or more concerned about the future of encryption and cybersecurity?
Speaker A compares today's quantum computing revolution to the early days of personal computers in the 1980s. What parallels do you see between these two technological shifts, and how do you think society will adapt?
What are your thoughts on the idea shared by Speaker B that quantum computing could tackle issues like cancer, climate change, and world hunger? Which potential application excites you the most and why?
Do you agree with Speaker A that the biggest bottleneck for quantum computing isn't physics, but people who can develop and apply quantum circuits? How can we better encourage and train new talent in this field?
Has anyone in the group tried out the Quantum 101 course or similar quantum computing tools mentioned in the episode? Share your experience! Was it as accessible and exciting as Speaker A described?
Speaker A and Speaker B talk about the ethical concerns of publishing encryption-breaking algorithms. Where do you stand on the open science vs. security debate in quantum tech?
How do you feel about Speaker A’s statement that we are just at the beginning of discovering what quantum computers are truly good for, beyond code breaking? What new applications do you predict will emerge in the next decade?
Speaker D describes quantum physics as ‘mind blowing’ and surprisingly approachable. For those new to the field, what’s been your biggest challenge or surprise when learning about quantum computing?
Quantum Rings and similar platforms are democratizing access to quantum computing. How important is it for tools like these to be free and widely available? Can this accessibility lead to significant breakthroughs outside of elite research labs?
🐦 Business Lesson Tweet Thread
1/
Quantum computers aren’t just code-cracking machines—they might be the key to the next big leap.
2/
Most headlines focus on terrifying encryption breakthroughs. They miss the real revolution: quantum access is now democratized.
3/
Five years ago, only a handful could play with quantum circuits. Today, students are designing and running algorithms on their laptops… for free.
4/
What changed? Tools like Quantum Rings. They put qubits at our fingertips, not behind paywalls or lab doors.
5/
Just like home PCs in the ’80s, we have no idea what the killer app will be. We need hordes of tinkerers to even find out.
6/
Breakthroughs in chemistry, AI, energy, medicine? Possible—but only if tens of thousands get hands-on. The only obstacle is people.
7/
Quantum’s bottleneck isn’t hardware or physics. It’s curious minds who build, break, and invent.
8/
Get in early. Learn. Iterate. Quantum needs a million explorers, not just another security headline.
9/
We’re witnessing the dawn of computing—again. This time, don’t miss your chance to build something impossible.
✏️ Custom Newsletter
🚀 Into the Impossible Podcast: New Episode Alert!
Sabine Hossenfelder & Quantum Computers
Hey Impossible Thinkers,
We’re thrilled to drop our latest episode where we dive headfirst into the real world of quantum computers—what they’re good for, what’s hype, and what’s just around the corner for the technology that’s changing the future right beneath our noses. Inspired by Sabine Hossenfelder’s viral video (almost half a million views in days!), we take a look behind the headlines—straight from our lab at UC San Diego.
🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:
1. Why code-breaking is just the tip of the quantum iceberg
Quantum computers have a reputation for being cybersecurity’s nightmare. Speaker A and Speaker B unpack why that’s both true and far from the whole story 00:00:22.
2. How Google is accelerating the countdown to “Q Day”
What happens when the world’s biggest tech companies get involved? It’s not just about code-breaking speed—quantum supremacy could hit in just a few years! 00:00:16
3. Why quantum chemistry, material science, and optimization are the next frontier
Speaker A explains why the revolution isn’t just in papers, it’s in the tools that’ll launch a new era of discovery—from drug design to sustainable batteries 00:05:10.
4. The new way to learn quantum coding for free—from your laptop!
Forget the days of clunky equipment. With Quantum Rings and the Quantum 101 course, anyone (yes, even you!) can start building algorithms and running circuits, free and easy 00:06:09.
5. The real bottleneck isn’t the science—it’s people
We don’t just need breakthroughs, we need a workforce of quantum creators. The episode breaks down how YOU could join thousands in shaping the future 00:10:58.
🤓 Fun Fact of the Episode:
Six weeks ago, one of our undergrad physics students had never touched a qubit. Now, they’re running Shor’s algorithm on a MacBook and scored a top-tier quantum internship in the Bay Area—all thanks to Quantum 101! 00:08:19
That’s a Wrap!
Speaker A thinks Sabine is absolutely right on the risks—and believes the opportunities in quantum go way further. The next quantum revolution will be built by curious minds (like yours!) who jump in at the ground floor.
📢 Your Next Move:
Ready to peek into the quantum future?
Listen to the new episode now!
Check out Quantum 101 and see where your curiosity takes you!
Tell us what you learned or built—we want to hear from you!
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more mind-bending science.
Stay impossible,
The INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE Podcast Team
🎓 Lessons Learned
10 Lessons Covered in the Event
Quantum Computing Basics
Lay the mathematical and software foundations required to begin working with quantum circuits and understand qubits.
Single Qubit Gates
Learn to manipulate individual qubits using gate operations and understand their basic impact on quantum states.
Entanglement Principles
Explore how qubits can be entangled, creating unique quantum correlations fundamental to quantum advantage.
Grover’s Search Algorithm
Understand Grover's algorithm for efficiently searching unsorted databases using quantum computation principles.
Quantum Fourier Transform
Study the quantum version of the Fourier transform, crucial for many quantum algorithms, including quantum phase estimation.
Shor’s Factoring Algorithm
Practice implementing Shor’s algorithm, the foundation of quantum codebreaking and a highlight in current quantum progress.
Noise and Error Mitigation
Address the problem of noise in quantum systems and learn basic strategies for error reduction and reliable computation.
Variational Algorithms
Discover hybrid algorithms that use both quantum and classical resources to solve optimization and simulation problems.
Quantum Error Correction
Learn principles behind protecting quantum information from errors, a key hurdle in building practical quantum computers.
Real-World Quantum Programming
Apply concepts by writing, running, and optimizing circuits on simulators and real quantum hardware from various vendors.
10 Surprising and Useful Frameworks and Takeaways
Ten Most Surprising and Useful Frameworks & Takeaways
1. Quantum Computing’s Perceived Single Utility: Code Breaking
Speaker A underscores that, as per Sabine Hossenfelder’s viral analysis, quantum computers are currently viewed as mainly effective for code breaking, specifically breaking encryption with Shor’s algorithm 00:00:06. However, this is not the only story.
2. Accelerated Timeline for Quantum Supremacy ("Q Day")
Google’s recent advancements have moved the projected date of “quantum supremacy” up to 2029, shrinking the timeline for major quantum breakthroughs by several years 00:00:22, 00:04:30.
3. Dramatic Reduction in Quantum Resources Needed for Encryption Breaking
Recent papers—one by Google, and one by a startup called Oratomic—suggest quantum machines need far fewer qubits (from 10 million down to about 500,000, or even 26,000 using neutral atom arrays) to break RSA encryption 00:00:58, 00:01:22. This is a radical speedup 00:01:38.
4. Ethical Debate Over Publishing Quantum Breakthroughs
The pace of quantum progress is so rapid and its ramifications so serious that leading scientists like Scott Aaronson are questioning whether it’s responsible to make these breakthroughs public 00:02:03.
5. Shift in Quantum Computing Accessibility and Tooling
Five years ago, running basic quantum circuits meant long queues for limited, noisy results. Now, with platforms like Quantum Rings, simulators on personal laptops can handle hundreds of qubits and millions of gate operations for free 00:03:04, 00:05:16.
6. Quantum Computing's Real-World Promise: Beyond Encryption
Speaker B projects a future where quantum computing leads to radical advances in medicine, battery technology, supply chain optimization, and ending world hunger—not just code breaking 00:03:27.
7. The Bottleneck is Talent, Not Physics
According to Speaker A, the central issue is the lack of trained people, not fundamental scientific or hardware barriers. There are only a few thousand capable quantum circuit designers today, but the field needs hundreds of thousands, even a million 00:10:58.
8. Free Quantum Education Resources (“Quantum 101”)
The “Quantum 101” program by Quantum Rings offers free, self-paced, accessible education and real experimentation on quantum hardware or simulators for anyone, rapidly expanding the talent funnel 00:05:33, 00:06:14.
9. Real Student Impact
Undergraduates, including freshmen, can now run industry-standard quantum algorithms (like Shor’s) on their own laptops within weeks—some have secured top internships directly as a result 00:08:19.
10. Open Infrastructure and Democratization
Quantum Rings (and its “Open Quantum” suite) is working with over 250 universities worldwide, providing free credits and access to real quantum hardware—signaling a paradigm shift towards democratizing quantum development and unlocking unforeseen applications 00:09:10, 00:09:38.
Meta-Takeaway
As Speaker A frames it: We’re in an “Apple II” moment for quantum computers—we don’t know all their eventual uses, and the biggest breakthroughs may come once far more people have hands-on access and imaginative application grows 00:11:42.
Clip Able
Social Media Clips from "The INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE Podcast: Sabine Hossenfelder Quantum Computers"
Clip 1
Title: "Quantum Computing: The Code Breaking Race Heats Up"
Timestamps: 00:00:00–00:03:10
Caption:
Quantum computers are advancing at a breathtaking pace. Speaker A breaks down three groundbreaking papers released in a single week that slash qubit requirements and bring the threat of broken encryption years closer. From Google's secretive breakthroughs to new startups shaking up the quantum scene, discover why the debate isn't just about technology—but about the very future of digital security.
Clip 2
Title: "A Quantum Leap: How Today's Students Are Building Tomorrow's Supercomputers"
Timestamps: 00:03:10–00:06:10
Caption:
The revolution in quantum tooling is here. Speaker A reveals how his undergraduates are already building and programming quantum computers, with free simulators that run hundreds of qubits right on their laptops. Learn how the barrier to entry is dropping—and why this matters for the next generation of quantum developers.
Clip 3
Title: "Unlocking Quantum for Everyone: Free Tools and Courses Explained"
Timestamps: 00:06:10–00:09:03
Caption:
Speaker A and Speaker B showcase Quantum 101 and the push to democratize quantum computing. From free, hands-on courses run by MIT experts to internships with major industry players, learn how anyone can start contributing to the next wave of technological breakthroughs—no PhD required.
Clip 4
Title: "What Are Quantum Computers Good For? Beyond Code Breaking"
Timestamps: 00:09:03–00:12:03
Caption:
Is code breaking really all quantum computers can do? Speaker A makes the case for a future where quantum computers solve humanity’s toughest challenges, from curing cancer to ending world hunger. But the biggest bottleneck isn't physics—it's people. Discover why we need a quantum workforce explosion, and how you can be a part of it.
Clip 5
Title: "A Call to Action: Join the Quantum Revolution Today"
Timestamps: 00:09:38–00:12:30
Caption:
The quantum future is arriving faster than anyone imagined. Speaker B and Speaker A invite students and researchers to dive into free platforms, build real circuits, and prepare for a world transformed by quantum power. Think you can’t participate? Think again—quantum democratization starts now.
💡 Speaker bios
Brian Keating is a physicist and professor at UC San Diego, passionate about pushing the boundaries of quantum computing beyond codebreaking. While acknowledging the chilling advancements in quantum computers—such as the looming threat of quantum supremacy predicted by Google by 2029—Brian feels the conversation shouldn’t stop at cryptography. In his lab, he leads undergraduates as they build and program quantum computers, aiming not just to simulate quantum systems but also to launch these cutting-edge devices into space. With dreams of harnessing quantum AI for lunar missions in partnership with NASA's Artemis program, Brian is inspiring a new generation of scientists to see possibilities for quantum technology that go far beyond breaking codes.
💡 Speaker bios
Brian Keating is a physicist and professor at UC San Diego who is passionate about exploring the frontiers of quantum computing. While some, like his friend and fellow scientist Sabine Hossenfelder, argue that quantum computers’ main talent is breaking codes, Brian sees a much bigger story. In his lab, Brian guides undergraduates as they build and program quantum computers—not just as academic exercises, but with bold plans to launch them into space and potentially use them for artificial intelligence on the moon, thanks to initiatives like NASA’s Artemis program. As Brian’s students push the boundaries of quantum technology far beyond code-breaking, he’s shaping the next generation of innovators who may one day use quantum computers to unlock the mysteries of the universe.
💡 Speaker bios
Bob Wold: Pioneering the Quantum Future
Bob Wold has long been captivated by the transformative potential of quantum computing. Driven by a vision of a brighter future, Bob imagines a world where his grandchildren might live without fear of diseases like cancer, thanks to real-time drug simulations enabled by quantum systems. He sees the possibility of electric vehicles running for days on a single sustainable charge and supply chains optimized so efficiently that world hunger could be a problem of the past. To Bob, quantum computing is no longer science fiction. Recent breakthroughs—condensed into just a week—have dramatically shortened the timeline: what once required millions of qubits now comes within reach with just hundreds of thousands, accelerating the forecast for quantum supremacy to as early as 2029. As a thought leader, Bob Wold stands at the forefront, translating the technical milestones of today into hopes and solutions for tomorrow.
💡 Speaker bios
Brian Keating is a physicist and professor at UC San Diego with a passion for pushing the boundaries of science and technology. While popular voices like Sabine Hassenfelder warn that quantum computers are mainly good for breaking codes—and with companies like Google racing toward "Q Day," the dawn of quantum supremacy—Brian sees a bigger, more inspiring story. In his lab, he empowers undergraduates to build and program quantum computers, not to crack codes, but to unlock vast possibilities, including launching these machines into space. Driven by missions like Artemis, Brian envisions quantum computers not just revolutionizing cryptography but shaping the future of AI beyond Earth, perhaps even on the moon. Through his dedication to teaching the next generation of scientists, Brian is proving that quantum computing’s real breakthrough might be limited only by our imagination.
💡 Speaker bios
Bob Wold: Bio in Summarized Story Format
Bob Wold is a passionate advocate and visionary in the realm of quantum computing. Driven by the immense promise this technology holds, Bob envisions a future in which quantum computers revolutionize daily life—where diseases like cancer are a thing of the past, made possible by real-time computational drug simulations, and electric vehicles become radically efficient and sustainable, thanks to new materials discovered through quantum advancements. He believes that quantum computing could solve humanity’s most daunting challenges, from supply chain optimization to world hunger.
Bob traces quantum computing’s dramatic progress, noting that what once seemed science fiction is quickly becoming reality. In recent breakthroughs, the anticipated requirements have shifted from millions of qubits to just hundreds of thousands, moving the timeline for “Q Day”—the day quantum computers can break encryption and transform global security—from the distant future to possibly within this decade. Guided by both optimism and urgency, Bob Wold is dedicated to sharing how quantum computing could soon reshape the world for future generations.
💡 Speaker bios
Brian Keating is a pioneering physicist and educator at UC San Diego, where he leads cutting-edge research and teaching on quantum computing. While the field of quantum computers is often seen as mainly useful for code-breaking—an idea underscored by popular science communicators like Sabine Hassenfelder—Brian believes there’s a far bigger story unfolding. In his lab, he's mentoring undergraduates not only to build and program quantum computers, but also to push the boundaries of what these machines can do: envisioning their use in space, even on the moon, possibly powered by AI through projects like NASA’s Artemis initiative. Brian sees his students’ achievements as proof that quantum computing’s true potential extends far beyond cryptography, venturing into the final frontier.
💡 Speaker bios
Bob Wold is a passionate advocate for the transformative potential of quantum computing. Enthralled by its possibilities, Bob envisions a future where quantum computers revolutionize medicine, making cancer a thing of the past through real-time drug simulations, and enable electric vehicles to run longer on sustainably sourced batteries. He believes quantum breakthroughs could help us optimize supply chains and even tackle world hunger, putting solutions to humanity’s biggest problems within reach. Bob is excited by recent rapid advances in the field, noting that what once seemed like science fiction—requiring millions of quantum bits—now might happen much sooner with just hundreds of thousands of qubits. For Bob, the dawn of practical quantum computing, and all the societal changes it promises, is just around the corner.
💡 Speaker bios
Brian Keating is a pioneering physicist and professor at UC San Diego, where he leads a team of creative undergraduates exploring the frontiers of quantum computing. While acknowledging fellow scientist Sabine Hassenfelder’s concerns about quantum computers primarily being used for code-breaking—a threat now looming closer due to Google's accelerated quantum supremacy timeline—Brian sees a much broader horizon. In his own lab, students aren’t just learning to build and program quantum computers; they're reaching for the stars by launching them into space, with visions of powering AI on the moon as part of projects like Artemis. Keating believes the future of quantum technology is far richer than code-cracking, and he’s empowering the next generation to prove it.
💡 Speaker bios
Bob Wold: A Visionary on the Quantum Frontier
Bob Wold is an enthusiastic advocate of quantum computing’s transformative possibilities. He imagines a near future where his grandchildren live in a world free from many of today’s biggest challenges—thanks in large part to breakthroughs enabled by quantum technology. Bob often speaks passionately about quantum computers’ ability to simulate drug interactions in real time, paving the way for cures to diseases like cancer without the lengthy process of traditional manufacturing. He envisions electric vehicles that are four to ten times more efficient, powered by sustainable batteries designed with the help of quantum-discovered materials. For Bob, quantum computing is the key to optimizing global supply chains and even solving world hunger—if only humanity acts wisely on these opportunities.
Bob points to recent breakthroughs—summarized in a week’s span of new research—that have rapidly accelerated the quantum timeline. What once required systems of millions of qubits might now be done with hundreds of thousands, sliding the expected arrival of “Q Day” (when quantum computers can break current encryption) up to as early as 2029 or 2030. For Bob Wold, this is not science fiction; it’s the unfolding of a future within reach, promising a revolution in how we solve society’s most daunting problems.
Made with Castmagic
Turn any recording into a page like this.
Upload audio or video — interviews, podcasts, sales calls, lectures. Get a transcript, summary, key takeaways, and social-ready clips in minutes.
Google
Apple
Or learn more about Castmagic first.
Magic Chat
Try asking