This blog post is about whether free choice and objective reality can coexist - not philosophically, but empirically - and how the tools of quantum co

We should run Wigner's Friend experiments

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2022-10-06 01:00:15

This blog post is about whether free choice and objective reality can coexist - not philosophically, but empirically - and how the tools of quantum computing could help us figure it out.

Quantum computing and the broader field of quantum information is special because it lets you do two things at the same time: (1) build technology that one day could help lots of people and (2) explore the fundamental relationship between reality and information. This combination of applications and foundations makes our field dynamic and rich.

Recently, you may have heard a lot about the applications side. This makes sense: the emerging quantum technology industry wants to tackle practical problems in areas like simulation, optimization, machine learning, and sensing. My own recent publications have focused on how we might get quantum advantage in valuable applications [1] [2] [3] and on what tools can help us get there [4] [5].

But there is more. Better and better quantum technology can drive deeper, more sophisticated experiments that uncover fundamental truths. And it’s timely too! The Nobel Prize in physics from just a few days ago was awarded for just this kind of work. People talk about how scientists today should be more ambitious, so I’m going to lean in and tell you about the most ambitious thing I can think of building.