The Green and Gold of Quantum: My Forbes Journey Highlighting “Other” Killer Apps
Quantum-powered RSA decryption represents a “killer app” that can dramatically undermine the foundations of modern digital security. This has significantly increased the urgency for funding, and the “green” paths on the map above reflect the “as-is” de facto developmental pathways already in progress or reinforced by this killer app. But what if, instead, there had been some “other” killer apps focused on an exotic application of superposition—perhaps instantaneously assimilating a specific type of knowledge to create a cocktail to combat a rapidly spreading viral strain — similar to Neo from the Matrix downloading knowledge to acquire new skills, or an application of entanglement to swiftly spread peace in a conflict-ridden area — like Mr. Smith entangling with others to produce many versions of himself? These are just examples, but they point to other killer apps that become visible if the “other” killer apps fork is chosen, setting us on the “gold” paths.
I highlighted these types of applications in my first Forbes quantum-related article, “The Potential Impact of Quantum Level Dynamics on Human Resources,” published in October 2022. The map above summarizes my Forbes quantum journey through articles I have written or organized (highlighted in the boxes) and Quantum Computing events I have led or hosted (depicted by the small square pictographs) over the last three years. All the routes on the map lead to the green-gold box in the top right corner.
But let me first step back.
I am neither a quantum physicist nor a quantum computing scientist. My Ph.D. focused on the mathematics of innovation in complex adaptive systems, which led me to understand resilience and adaptiveness in natural systems and subsequently to deeply contemplate light, as I regard it as instrumental in all such systems. This contemplation brought forth the notion of quanta as a bridging mechanism between invisible and visible layers of reality: a bridge that transmits information from the invisible to the visible. It also inspired the modeling of a persistent and universal real-time nature-based quantum computation, envisioned to continuously create all the complexity of matter and life. Over the last decade, I’ve written extensively about this version of quantum dynamics, christened Quaternary Interpretation of Quantum Dynamics (QIQD) and I would be surprised if the architects of quantum theory —Bohr, Heisenberg, Born, Einstein, Schrödinger, and Bohm, to mention a few — do not turn in their graves on receiving whispers of it.
In the Heart of Gold
We are all familiar with Dr. Richard Feynman’s statements about nature being quantum mechanical and that a simulation of nature must also be quantum mechanical. But who is to say that even this perspective is complete and that having quantum computers engage in entanglement, superposition, and interference — powerful mechanisms in concert — is sufficient to simulate nature quantum mechanically?
At the heart of the golden paths is a block of articles that assume the different QIQD foundation for quantum dynamics as a basis (outlined by the thicker gold line in the map). In this view, quantum wholes, such as atoms, are outputs of the persistent underlying quantum computation. These quantum wholes function as robust, scalable quantum computers displaying superposition, entanglement, and interference. Furthermore, these wholes compute based on genetic-type code, and since there is more “intelligence” displayed as the physical structure becomes more sophisticated — evolving from atoms, to molecules, to molecular plans, to cells — it is assumed that some native “quantum intelligence” parses itself out in fuller quaternary form with evolving physical structure.
From this perspective, since AI is derived from human intelligence and human intelligence is an output of quantum intelligence (QI), if computational devices are integrated with such QI, such quantum computational devices would have a different prowess over the quantum realm.
These summary concepts are discussed in the following articles.
Further, a Forbes Councils event, Abundance Through Quantum Computation, elaborates on the type of abundance generated with the heart of gold — atoms as computers, genetic-type code, QI, nano-cyborgs — as the navigator.
Key takeaways from this live session are summarized below:
Trouble from the Heart of Gold
Once the possibilities of the golden paths are acknowledged, the question of existing in a quantum bubble becomes more tangible. Furthermore, it is increasingly important for the quantum industry to pose different questions and recognize that sole reliance on the RSA killer app supports a quantum carry trade. The following articles further elaborate on these concepts:
A Forbes Councils event centered on managing the quantum bubble reinforced the belief that nature is not entirely probabilistic. This, in turn, gives rise to an alternative approach to developing quantum computers and advancing the industry in line with what the golden paths suggest.
Leveraging the Heart of Gold
Managing the trouble requires invigoration along the different lines of possibility. It requires that the very mathematics of organization be changed to truly embrace the abundant possibility offered by QIQD-based technology, as suggested by the following articles.
Such invigoration and morphing of the organization's mathematics will result in seizing the business potential of quantum properties by seeing the quantum levels differently and investing in ways that will create a more comprehensive computing renaissance:
- Exploring atoms as quantum computers: Investigate how atoms process and maintain genetic-type codes and how this inherent quantum computation contributes to the stability and functionality of living cells.
- Investigating quantum functional languages: Explore the creation of a new quantum-level language that focuses on the functions of atoms instead of merely their form or quantity.
- Investigating quantum computation in biological structures: Explore how molecules and cells operate as advanced quantum computers, constantly processing genetic code to uphold cellular integrity.
- Exploring the concept of integrated quantum computational intelligence (IQCI): Investigate the theory suggesting that everything operates as a quantum computer, constantly processing and evolving codes, which implies intrinsic intelligence at the quantum level.
- Investigate quantum intelligence: Research and comprehend how quantum intelligence emerges and develops within complex natural quantum systems.
- Develop quantum computers that incorporate native intelligence: Design quantum computers that can not only compute but also understand and integrate native intelligence at the quantum level.
- Shift the paradigm of quantum mechanics: Embrace a fresh perspective on quantum mechanics that transcends existing qubit-based models, emphasizing the integration of quantum intelligence.
- Create IQCI-based nano-cyborgs: Research and design nanoscale cyborgs that employ quantum computational intelligence (IQCI).
- Manipulate genetic-type code: Harness the inherent properties of atoms and molecules as robust quantum computers to manipulate genetic-type codes.
- Engage with quantum dynamics: Create technologies that enable IQCI-based nano-cyborgs to interface directly with the fundamental fabric of quantum dynamics.
- Transform energy sources: Investigate the potential of IQCI-based nano-cyborgs to transform energy sources by utilizing fundamental quantum patterns that manifest in various forms at the levels of matter and life.
These and other opportunities are further elaborated in the following articles:
A couple of Forbes events held just a month apart further reinforced the foundation of the comprehensive computing renaissance.
In particular, during “From the Near to the Far,” the double-slit experiment was revisited to suggest how the green paths and gold paths align with different interpretations of the double-slit experiment. A top-down interpretation, rather than the existing bottom-up interpretation, yields the notion of quantum wholes and related functions, giving rise to the possibilities of the golden paths.
This session discussed various ‘actors’ emerging from the dual interpretation of the double-slit experiment. The ‘bottom-up’ branch results in the ‘r-set,’ which reduces the full range of possible quantum dynamics to a pragmatic set — the green paths. This set enables technology to leverage superposition, entanglement, and interference to provide the potential for exponential increases in computing power, which is the focus of today’s quantum computing industry. In contrast, the top-down branch results in the gold paths built on an ‘l-set’ and represents an approach yet to be technologically developed and leveraged.
In “Leveraging Imagination to Surface Quantum Technologies," the fourfold structure and QIQD were further elaborated.
A key component of QIQD is believed to be a genetic-type code that accompanies any quantum object. This belief arises from the qualified deterministic aspect of quantum dynamics, where subtle seeds influence how perceived uncertainty manifests.
In the forthcoming Springer Nature book Pioneering New Avenues in Quantum Technology, I address the elaboration of the l-set, potential quantum object code, fundamental mathematics, logic, gates, and other hardware necessary to leverage the possibilities of the golden paths.
The View from the Green
The green paths require mastery of a set of quantum dynamics, the translation of these into technology, and their effective packaging into practical applications. Many players are involved, with various potential applications along the green paths. Since 2023, I have been the leader of the Forbes Technology Council Quantum Computing community, where I frequently ask community members — technology executives from leading companies worldwide — to share their perspectives on how quantum computing will evolve.
The following articles are based on the views of community members in September 2023, May 2024, and February 2025, respectively.
I have also had the privilege of hosting leaders from various quantum companies at live events. The following were in-depth explorations of Infleqtion’s perspective on atom-based quantum technology, IBM’s take on gate-based quantum computing, and D-Wave’s interpretation of annealing quantum computing.
Additionally, a session with Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave; Paul Lipman, Chief Commercial Officer at Infleqtion; and Steve Flinter, SVP of AI, ML & Emerging Tech at Mastercard, focused on redefining the boundaries of quantum computing to embrace more inclusive approaches.
With the convergence of AI and Quantum, I hosted SandboxAQ, a pioneer in large quantitative models, in another session.
Quantum Frontiers
The top right corner of the map signifies the intersection of the green and gold paths. This area symbolizes the convergence of many ideas and possibilities. Three key trajectories of quantum computing were outlined during the live event Quantum Frontiers.
Trajectory-1 emphasizes the gate-based approach and includes players like IBM, Google, Rigetti, Intel, IonQ, Quantinuum, and QuEra. Trajectory-2 centers on whole-system approaches, represented by companies such as D-Wave and Xanadu. Trajectory-3 is founded on the l-set, with its vision summarized in the following slide.
The following article discusses these trajectories in more detail.
In recent years, remarkable advancements in AI and quantum technologies have set the stage for a transformative convergence. In AI, breakthroughs such as transformer architectures, scaling to trillion-parameter models, and multimodal learning have significantly enhanced natural language understanding and content generation. Concurrently, quantum technology has made strides with high-precision sensing techniques — ranging from quantum magnetometry and gravimetry to quantum-enhanced optical microscopy — that deepen our exploration of the quantum realm. Together, these developments suggest an impending synthesis where AI leverages quantum-sourced data and simulations to uncover new patterns at the quantum level. This is discussed in more detail in the following article.
Integrating green and gold will require a multi-layered approach that blends various methodologies across three trajectories. Gate-based superposition, entanglement, interference, and breakthroughs in error correction promise to create universal computing. Annealing quantum computers begin with all qubits in superposition to optimize solutions holistically, prioritizing efficiency over error correction — a trait echoed in Google’s Willow chip, despite its gate-based design — highlighting a distinct computational method. Meanwhile, a third layer, inspired by complex adaptive systems (CAS) and reflective of the gold paths, proposes using unique hardware and mathematics to tap into quantum patterns, treating matter and life as dynamic systems where “function-imprints” in atoms, molecules, and cells could program matter. The following article discusses these approaches in more detail.
Conclusion
As my Forbes quantum journey illustrates, the path ahead is filled with possibilities, extending far beyond the immediate appeal of breaking RSA encryption. While the ‘green’ paths offer tangible progress in leveraging today’s perceptions of quantum mechanics, the ‘gold’ paths invite us to explore a deeper, more integrated understanding of QI and its potential to revolutionize computation and our interaction with the very fabric of reality. The convergence of these perspectives, the willingness to ask ‘other’ questions, and the courage to invest in less conventional avenues are essential for unlocking the truly transformative power of the quantum realm and ushering in a more comprehensive and abundant computing renaissance.
The journey continues, and the most exciting discoveries may lie just beyond the familiar green horizons, in the shimmering potential of the gold.
