Google launches the Quantum Artificial Intelligence Lab.

Via this project, Google wants to study how quantum computing might advance machine learning.

 We we’ve also learned that NASA’s Ames Research Center will host the lab, which will house a quantum computer from D-Wave
Systems and the Universities Space Research Association (USRA), will invite researchers from around the world to share time on it.

‘’Classical computers aren’t well suited to these types of creative problems. Solving such problems can be imagined as trying to find the lowest point on a surface covered in hills and valleys. Classical computing might use what’s called “gradient descent”: start at a random spot on the surface, look around for a lower spot to walk down to, and repeat until you can’t walk downhill anymore. But all too often that gets you stuck in a “local minimum”, a valley that isn’t the very lowest point on the surface.’’

‘’That’s where quantum computing comes in. It lets you cheat a little, giving you some chance to “tunnel” through a ridge to see if there’s a lower valley hidden beyond it. This gives you a much better shot at finding the true lowest point , the optimal solution.’’ Said Hartmut Neven, Director of Engineering.