Computer with holographic display. Photo courtesy of mooc.org.

  The world of computers is changing as we know it. With every student in San Luis Obispo High School using a computer, how will these changes affect us? With the introduction of quantum computers and the development of AI, what does this mean for society?

  Quantum computers are the most advanced computers to date, outperforming even the most advanced supercomputers. Quantum computers use quantum physics, the branch of physics that explains how everything works, to complete many advanced calculations and perform many tasks.

  Quantum computers are going to be so advanced that they will most certainly affect our future, but how? 

  “They can run much better, and they will vastly improve our understanding of quantum mechanics and our understanding of the universe,” said junior Sage Meeks.

  However, no good things come without a price. Quantum computers also mean it is easier to access passwords through password decryption; any encryptions not designed against quantum computers will become vulnerable. This just means that we need to adapt to these changes, not that they will leave us completely helpless.

  AI stands for artificial intelligence. It is the simulation of human intelligence performed by machines. This is performed with machine learning, which allows the computer to take in information and adapt. This is present in many search engines, which is how you find topics related to your recent searches!

  How does AI view AI? This is a question answered in an interview with Open AI’s Chat GPT! When asked if it liked AI, it responded by saying, “I don’t have personal feelings or preferences.”

  What does AI mean for the future? This question was also answered in the interview. Chat GPT explained that “The impact of AI on the future is expected to be significant and diverse.” Some examples included are automation of tasks, developments in health care, and scientific discoveries.

  However, Chat GPT also explained, “While AI has the potential to bring about numerous benefits, there are also concerns and challenges associated with its development and deployment.” Chat GPT further explained that some negative effects include job displacement, ethical concerns, and lack of transparency. 

  What happens in our future is up to us; whether we choose to conform to the future or fall to it is our choice. Let’s adapt for a better future.

Sources: https://www.newscientist.com, https://www.techtarget.com, https://chat.openai.com