Episode 3: Dr Max Shotbolt: Quantum computing, the next big conversation

In the third episode of Tech Shock’s 13th season, Vicki is joined by Dr Max Shotbolt, a Post Doctoral Researcher at the University of Miami whose research into cancer treatments using magnetic nanoparticles led him, by way of some well-placed eavesdropping, into the world of quantum computing. AI dominates the technology conversation right now, but quantum computing is quietly developing in the background and its implications could be just as significant. Most people have heard of it, but few really understand what it is, how it differs from AI, or what it might mean for their lives. This episode asks those questions plainly: from what quantum computing actually is and where it stands today, to what it means for encryption, drug discovery, and who ends up owning the most powerful tools in the world. Talking points: What is quantum computing, how does it differ from classical computing and AI and where does it actually stand today? What are the risks on the horizon from cracking encryption to the concentration of power in the hands of very few companies? What reasons are there to be optimistic, such as battery technology and drug discovery? Tech Shock is a Parent Zone production. Follow Parent Zone on social media for all the latest on our work on helping families to thrive in the digital age. Presented by Vicki Shotbolt. Tech Shock is produced and edited by Tim Malster. www Twitter Facebook Instagram