Latest news with #HeartOfStone
Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Quantum computing's achilles' heel: Tech giants are tackling an error crisis
At the turn of this year, the course became clear. First, quantum computing chips made a generational leap, albeit with Microsoft and Google taking different approaches to generating desired performance. Now, Microsoft has pushed the envelope further, having developed error-correction codes that are applicable to many types of qubits. So has IBM, signifying broad efforts towards the same result. The company insists the present generation of quantum computers, that use qubits, often run into errors, which they cannot resolve on their own. 'Reliable quantum computing requires progress across the full stack, from error correction to hardware. With new 4D codes reducing error rates 1,000x, and our co-designed quantum system with Atom Computing, we're bringing utility-scale quantum closer than ever,' says Satya Nadella, Microsoft Chairman and CEO. Atom Computing builds scalable quantum computers. A quantum computer, compared with traditional, familiar computers, pack magnitudes more computing power to be able to solve complex problems. To compute, traditional computers store information in bits (that is, 0 and 1). Quantum computing is built around qubits that do both at the same time (a bit like Shrodinger's cat). They are not designed to replace traditional computers, at least work and home uses. One could point to the 2024 movie AfrAId, and Netflix' 2023 movie Heart Of Stone, as having foretold quantum's prowess. Microsoft's four-dimensional geometric codes require fewer physical qubits for compute, can check for errors faster, and have reportedly returned a 1,000-fold reduction in error rates. There is hope for this framework of error detection and correction, that can adapt to various types of qubits, making the technology more versatile and practical for real-world applications. The significance of Microsoft's approach cannot be overstated. Traditional quantum error correction methods have struggled with a delicate balance between protecting quantum information whilst maintaining the very properties that make quantum computing powerful. They aren't the only tech giant that is tackling errors in quantum computing. IBM, this month, detailed a roadmap for the IBM Quantum Starling, which they say is the world's first large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computer. It is expected to be delivered by 2029, as part of IBM's new Quantum Data Center. 'Our expertise across mathematics, physics, and engineering is paving the way for a large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer — one that will solve real-world challenges and unlock immense possibilities for business,' says said Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO of IBM. Quantum computing stands at a critical juncture. Qubits are extremely sensitive to their environment. Smallest of disturbances, ranging from electromagnetic interference to temperature fluctuations, can cause them to 'decohere'. That means, they lose their quantum properties and essentially become classical bits. At that stage, quantum computations produce errors. The challenge is both technical and mathematical. Since quantum states cannot be copied like data on a computer, quantum error correction becomes exponentially more complex. Microsoft is assessing this development with a sense of caution. 'We are in the early stages of reliable quantum computing, and the impact that this technology will have is just beginning to be realised. Practical applications will start to be revealed as researchers in various industries adopt a co-design approach to explore interactions between quantum architectures, algorithms, and applications,' explains Krysta Svore, Technical Fellow, Advanced Quantum Development at Microsoft Quantum. Earlier in the year, Microsoft's quantum computing aspirations saw significant forward movement, with the Majorana 1 chip — a first of its kind scalable chip with versatile architecture, that can potentially fit a million qubits. It currently holds 8 topological qubits. Majorana 1 sits alongside Google's Willow chip, IBM's Quantum Heron, as well as the Zuchongzhi 3.0, developed by Chinese scientists late last year. Error correction was a focus area then too. Microsoft created what is essentially a new state of matter called a topological superconductor, that is more stable and error resistant. Google too believes it has cracked the code for error correction and is building a machine that they expect will be ready by 2029. Crucial to their approach is the Willow chip, and the balance between logical qubits and physical qubits. Physical qubits are the actual quantum bits built into the hardware - the individual atoms, photons, or superconducting circuits that store quantum information. Whereas, logical qubits are error-corrected qubits created by combining multiple physical qubits together with sophisticated error correction codes. Think of them as 'virtual' qubits. Google's research points to the 'quantum error correction threshold', as the tipping point where this dynamic reverses — where logical qubits that are more reliable, outnumber physical ones. There are similarities in Google and IBM's approach regarding this balance. Central to IBM's approach is its creation of a quantum error-correcting code that they claim is about 10 times more efficient than prior methods. This efficiency gain proves crucial, at least in tests, because traditional error correction methods require hundreds or thousands of physical qubits to create a single reliable logical qubit, making large-scale quantum computers prohibitively complex. For all the potential that quantum computing may profess to, at least in delivering real-world solutions for matters including drug discovery, cybersecurity, material science and financial risk analysis, it finds itself precariously perched in this pivotal moment. Error correction capabilities are important for it to simply work as it should, and also to keep operational costs down. IBM's modular scalability, Google's systematic threshold-crossing methodology, and Microsoft's new 4D code architecture, though differing in approach, all believe they may be rushing towards a workable solution. As quantum creeps ever closer, the years that lie ahead will testify to levels of success.
Forbes
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Jelly Roll Pushes Multiple Big Singles To New Chart Peaks
Jelly Roll scores new peaks with 'Heart of Stone' and 'Unpretty,' as 'Bloodline' with Alex Warren ... More debuts strong across three Billboard charts. WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 11: Jelly Roll performs onstage during iHeartRadio Hot 99.5's Jingle Ball 2023 at Capital One Arena on December 11, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo byfor iHeartRadio) Jelly Roll has been on something of a winning streak on the Billboard charts, one that has lasted several years now. The multi-genre star scores more than half a dozen hits across the American rankings this week, thanks to a mix of tunes from his most recent full-length Beautifully Broken as well as a handful of collaborations, as he has become a go-to for other artists looking to lend some credibility and star power to their latest releases. Three of Jelly's tunes rise to new peaks on the charts this week, and they largely take different routes to their exciting positions. 'Heart of Stone" is Jelly's only track to establish a new peak on more than one ranking in the United States this frame. His solo cut appears on three Billboard charts, and it just misses a breakthrough on one of them – and only barely. "Heart of Stone" lifts three spaces to No. 28 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs tally and one rung to No. 24 on the Country Airplay list, heights the cut has never seen before. Jelly sees two tracks surge to new highs on the Country Airplay tally, which is often considered one of the most competitive radio rankings in the nation. "Hard Fought Hallelujah," his duet with Christian superstar Brandon Lake, climbs one space to No. 44, which now stands as its top showing. After debuting at No. 8 last week on the Rock Digital Song Sales chart, "Unpretty" improves its standing and now appears at No. 6. The track — also taken from Beautifully Broken — became a hit after Jelly performed it during the recent season finale of American Idol. In addition to those three tracks which are soaring, Jelly also scores a brand new hit, which automatically establishes a high point as it arrives, and which could climb in the coming weeks. "Bloodline," a collaboration with Alex Warren, debuts on a trio of U.S.-based lists, thanks in part to the ongoing success of the newcomer's 'Ordinary.' It launches highest on the Digital Song Sales chart, coming in at No. 5. The track kicks off its time at No. 32 on that all-encompassing Hot 100 ranking, and No. 18 on the Streaming Songs roster.
Vogue
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
Alia Bhatt on Her Chaotic Cannes Film Festival Debut, Swathed in a Gucci Sari
'I truly thrive in this sort of chaos,' Alia Bhatt says, '[and] the chaos always tends to find us.' Indeed, just hours before Vogue meets the Heart of Stone and Jigra actor on the Croisette, she had to wait through a massic hotel power outage as she prepared for the closing ceremony at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Her hairstylist even wrapped her hair extensions in a curling iron and laid them out in the sun to heat up. 'I'm a trooper! No emotion is constant,' Bhatt adds with a laugh, describing how she navigates such a major event. 'I blend into the chaos part of it, but I'm still finding my calm on the red carpet.' Later, when Vogue glimpses Bhatt again, she's effortlessly riding the red carpet wave among the flashing camera lights for the closing ceremony, wearing a custom Gucci interpretation of a traditional Indian sari. ('When it comes to an outfit…there's nothing more endless or timeless than a sari,' Bhatt previously told Vogue while getting ready for the 2024 Met Gala.) Today's look is a sensual, minimal silhouette with a dramatic drape and the classic GG monogram: 'Signature Italian glamour mixed with Indian exuberance,' as Bhatt's stylist Rhea Kapoor puts it. Bhatt is also carrying a custom mini Jackie bag; in India, it's customary to pair a sari with a small purse. 'I'm done with quiet luxury, it's over for me, bye!' jokes Kapoor. 'I think there are times you whisper, and there are times you scream with joy—and I think this is one of those times.' Of course: This has been Bhatt's Cannes debut, and she's Gucci's first Indian brand ambassador. Alongside Kapoor, she's here with a close-knit team that also includes longtime makeup artist Puneet B Saini and hairstylist Amit Thakur. Given all the traveling they do together, 'It's important we like each other!' Bhatt notes. (After this, she's back to India to film another project.) She describes Kapoor as 'the one and only stylist who can make me do things I'd never do because she has a persuasive, gentle, very clear tone. If she envisions it, it has to happen.' And what a vision Kappor had this time: Swathed in her Gucci sari, curled hair tousled and eyes earthy and smoked out, Bhatt then makes for the elevator to close out Cannes in style.
