The Quantum Leap: Exploring the Future of AI and Intelligent Machines

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I've always been interested in the relationship between robotics and artificial intelligence. As I've read more about these cutting-edge topics, there is one subject to which I keep coming back: quantum computing. It's a unique branch of technology that can transform how machines make decisions, process information, and work out problems.

Regular computers work with bits, either a zero or a 1. Everything, every calculation, depends upon combinations of the two. Quantum computers, however, work simultaneously with qubits, which are 0 and 1 because of a phenomenon called superposition. Quantum systems can thus try many routes simultaneously, giving them the ability to solve problems that might take years for classical computers to compute.

Suppose you are a classical computer trying to solve a maze. You would select a path and keep moving forward, taking turns randomly until you reach the exit or a dead end. You would then mark that path as a dead end, retrace your steps, and repeat until you eventually find the exit. However, the constant repetition and retracing make this process very time-consuming. On the other hand, Quantum computers could evaluate every maze path simultaneously, giving you your solution much quicker.

I am most excited about how quantum computing might cross paths with AI and robotics. I aspire to work with robots and AI as a career, so the introduction of quantum computing serves as a new avenue for problem-solving and decision-making. Just like how swarm robotics is helping with disaster relief or precision medicine, quantum computing has the potential to become a fundamental part of how we develop more intelligent, more capable AI systems that can assist people in meaningful ways. Whether it's helping doctors to diagnose illnesses earlier or allowing self-driving cars to chart new worlds, the possibilities are hard to ignore.

I want to study robotics and AI to understand how these systems work and actively contribute to shaping their future. To move closer to that goal, I’ve studied quantum computing under two professors at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), gaining hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of its real-world applications.

Quantum computing has added an entirely new dimension to my academic interests. It’s a reminder that the future of technology is filled with unanswered questions, some of which I aspire to solve