Software developers entering the International Obfuscated C Code Contest must write programs that look baffling, but perform unusual, unexpected or catastrophic tasks ​Software developers entering the International Obfuscated C Code Contest must write programs that look baffling, but perform unusual, unexpected or catastrophic tasks Software developers entering the International Obfuscated C Code Contest must write programs …

Competition opens to find the world’s most perplexing computer code Read More »

While artificial intelligence and quantum computing insiders have both been guilty of hyping up their products, only the latter group appears to still be applying proper scientific rigour to their field ​While artificial intelligence and quantum computing insiders have both been guilty of hyping up their products, only the latter group appears to still be …

Why AI firms should follow the example of quantum computing research Read More »

John Preskill has been guiding the growing quantum computing industry for decades, and now he has set a new challenge – to build a device capable of a million quantum operations per second, or a megaquop ​John Preskill has been guiding the growing quantum computing industry for decades, and now he has set a new …

How the megaquop machine could usher in a new era of quantum computing Read More »

Fears that other nations could gain an advantage are holding back the development of quantum computers, with export controls and other restrictions making it harder for researchers to work across borders ​Fears that other nations could gain an advantage are holding back the development of quantum computers, with export controls and other restrictions making it …

Why quantum computers are being held back by geopolitical tussles Read More »

The US National Institute of Standards and Technology, which is tasked with developing standards for encryption that can protect against quantum computers, may be at risk ​The US National Institute of Standards and Technology, which is tasked with developing standards for encryption that can protect against quantum computers, may be at risk The US National Institute …

Cybersecurity experts fear Elon Musk’s DOGE may enable quantum hackers Read More »

The results of a year-long survey suggest that people in the US are warming up to artificial intelligence, potentially due to marketing and the engaging way AI chatbots respond to human users ​The results of a year-long survey suggest that people in the US are warming up to artificial intelligence, potentially due to marketing and …

People are starting to trust AI more – and view it as more human-like Read More »

With an investment of AU$1 billion, PsiQuantum is planning to build a photonic quantum computer with a million qubits, far larger than any in existence today – and the firm says it will be ready in just two years ​With an investment of AU$1 billion, PsiQuantum is planning to build a photonic quantum computer with …

How PsiQuantum plans to build world’s largest quantum computer by 2027 Read More »

Hundreds of quantum computing firms around the world are racing to commercialise these once-exotic devices, but the jury is still out on who is going to pull ahead and produce a machine that actually does something useful ​Hundreds of quantum computing firms around the world are racing to commercialise these once-exotic devices, but the jury …

Quantum computers have finally arrived, but will they ever be useful? Read More »

When the experimental XB-1 aircraft achieved supersonic speeds on a test flight, it did not create a disruptive sonic boom – thanks to a physics phenomenon called the Mach cutoff ​When the experimental XB-1 aircraft achieved supersonic speeds on a test flight, it did not create a disruptive sonic boom – thanks to a physics …

How the XB-1 aircraft went supersonic without a sonic boom Read More »

Pig gelatin can be used to make a robotic arm that safely biodegrades, rather than adding to landfill ​Pig gelatin can be used to make a robotic arm that safely biodegrades, rather than adding to landfill Pig gelatin can be used to make a robotic arm that safely biodegrades, rather than adding to landfill