In this episode of The Quantum Kid, Katia Moskvitch and nine-year-old co-host Kai explore one of the most fascinating frontiers in modern physics: time travel, and what quantum mechanics and relativity really say about it. Our guest is Scott Aaronson — one of the world’s leading experts in quantum computing, the Schlumberger Centennial Chair of Computer Science at the University of Texas at Austin, and director of UT’s Quantum Information Center.
Curious about Quantum Computing? Join 9-year-old Kai and his STEM communicator and theoretical physicist mom Katia Moskvitch, as they talk to scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs building tomorrow’s world.
EPISODES
The Quantum Kid
Each episode of The Quantum Kid explores how quantum technologies are bound to transform our everyday life. Kai asks questions in a way only a kid can – without overthinking it and without the worry of having to look smart and knowledgeable. We typically feature two guests – a quantum expert and a business leader. As the quantum scientist explains tricky concepts to a child, the explanations are very down to Earth, engaging and clear. And that makes them useful for the grown-ups, too, who are still very often confused about quantum and its usefulness for them and for the world. We break down complex ideas into clear, engaging conversations that anyone can follow, to reach the world leaders of today and tomorrow!
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In this Christmas episode, Kai – The Quantum Kid – explores what happens when quantum computing meets robotics. With John Preskill, Caltech theoretical physicist, who coined the term ‘quantum supremacy’, and Ken Goldberg, US Berkley robotics expert.
We discuss how quantum computers could help robots make smarter decisions and solve problems faster, and what this could mean for the future of intelligent machines. We also talk about uncertainty – both in the context of quantum and in the context of robotics. Oh, and Kai also teleports to a super cool robotics lab in Zurich, ANYbotics, and meets ANYmal – a robot dog that can walk and climb stairs, and can be go where it’s dangerous for humans to go. And, as Kai puts it, ‘it’s veeeeeryyyy cute!’ Quantum computers don’t just calculate faster. They think differently. Could that give robots new abilities?
Would you like to print a new ear? How about a new heart? In this episode of The Quantum Kid, 9-year-old Kai goes somewhere very few kids ever get to go: a real bioprinting lab at ETH Zurich. With the help of a researcher, Kai 3D-prints a mini human ear 🦻 made from living cells — and learns how scientists use printed tissue to study the body and test new medicines.
Back in the studio, Kai has a fascinating discussion about another big “wow” in science: the use of quantum computing for drug discovery. He chats with two quantum experts: Pedram Roushan — Quantum Physicist at Google Quantum AI and Sabrina Maniscalco — Professor of Quantum Information Science and Co-Founder and CEO of Algorithmiq.
CERN is preparing one of the biggest upgrades in its history. The Large Hadron Collider is about to increase collision density dramatically — stronger magnets (moving toward 12 Tesla), far more particle interactions, and an explosion in data. The High-Luminosity era will push computing infrastructure to its limits. So 9-year-old Kai went to CERN to ask a direct question: If nature is quantum – and the data is growing beyond anything we’ve handled before – could quantum computers help? Inside CMS, 100 metres underground, protons collide every 25 nanoseconds. Millions of detector channels record events at microscopic precision. Physicists simulate quantum field theory on classical machines — and know exactly where approximations start to strain. This episode covers serious scientific questions emerging from the next phase of high-energy physics.