What would a gamer do with a quantum computer? Or a musician? Harry Kumar, co-founder of Moth Quantum, argues that quantum computing needs creativity and art to push the industry forward, so we’re going to find out.

Moth built Quantum Backrooms, a video game where a quantum computer builds the maze. Each tile on the map is a qubit, and the correlation between two neighbouring qubits decides whether a wall stands between them.

The game shows no quantum advantage and runs no faster than a classical computer. It certainly isn’t GTA 6. So why build it?

Look at early AI: image generation was no better than a child’s drawing, yet millions signed up. That is the step before commercial value. People are creative and want creative tools. While using quantum mechanics for material science and protein folding is incredible, it doesn’t bring in the masses—which is why Harry is waiting for quantum computing's "Dylan-goes-electric" moment.

In this episode of Thinking On Paper, we cover:

• How Atlas, Moth's platform, lets you run images through a quantum computer without writing code
• Whether a musician could hear the difference between quantum and classical randomness
• Quantum shaders, artistic expression, and potential in music and visual effects
• Why Richard Feynman's idea of a computer that works like nature excites artists
• The intersection of quantum computing, AI, and autonomous media

Please enjoy the show.

Links & Resources
• Try Atlas: platform.mothquantum.com
• Moth Quantum: mothquantum.com
• More quantum episodes: Watch on YouTube

Thinking on Paper is a long-form interview podcast with Mark Fielding and Jeremy Gilbertson exploring the human story of technology, AI, quantum computing, and science.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to the episode and guests
(01:32) Who is Harry Kumar and what is Moth Quantum?
(04:18) The concept behind Quantum Backrooms and its inspiration
(06:06) The end state in quantum game mechanics and creative mapping
(09:58) Quantum advantage and hardware considerations
(10:31) Using games to explore quantum mechanics
(12:52) Target audience for quantum creative platforms
(17:02) Comparison to Unreal Engine and platform versatility
(20:33) Quantum shaders and potential in music and visual effects
(28:27) Quantum as a new form of artistic expression
(36:04) Quantum computing and the nature of creativity
(44:52) Autonomous media and AI in creative processes
(45:48) How to access and experiment with Moth Quantum's platform

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