Quantum Internet in every home: Industry 4.0 digest No. 23

Theme of the week: quantum internet

In 2019, the damage from hacker attacks around the world amounted to $3,5 billion, 1,3 times more than in 2018. This is due to the structure of the modern Internet: no matter how complex the computational algorithms are, they can always be hacked or bypassed. As a result, business spending on cybersecurity is set to rise, projected to rise 2020% year-over-year in 5,6 to $43,1 billion.

The quantum Internet, which is based on ideas from physics, such as quantum entanglement, can protect network users. In this case, the objects are very strongly related to each other, and changing the parameter of one of them immediately affects the state of the others. Within the framework of the quantum internet, entanglement will make it easy to know if a communication channel is being tapped. If a hacker tries to read or change the data, all objects within the system change their state and the information can no longer be decrypted. The technology has not yet become mass, because modern quantum networks are very bulky, and expensive equipment is needed to run them.

These restrictions were bypassed by a group of scientists from England, Austria, Croatia and China. They built a network for eight users, each of whom could securely exchange information with others. The cost of such a quantum system is only $400, while millions of dollars were spent on earlier projects. The maximum distance between users in the new quantum network was 17 km. The researchers also simulated the network for 32 users. This proves that the new development can be easily scaled up. The main problem is the lack of suitable infrastructure in cities, including modern fiber optic cables. According to scientists, the lack of infrastructure will delay the spread of the quantum Internet by about a decade, connecting users in large cities will take another five to ten years.

Site Sundays: Lo-Fi Player

Lo-Fi Player is a set of tools for creating beats. Upon entering the site, you will see a room with different items, each of which sounds different. You can click on the guitar to connect the bass, or add the noise of the city at night by clicking on the window. Hidden in the TV is the MusicVAE neural network, which allows you to combine old melodies and create new music from them. By clicking on the radio, you will run the MelodyRNN algorithm, it will generate a random motive. The site can be used from phone and computer.

Technology of the week: attack drones have learned to choose targets themselves

The American company General Atomics Aeronautical Systems conducted flight tests of the MQ-9 Reaper drone equipped with the Agile Condor system. With the help of artificial intelligence, she can find targets and strike at them. Agile Condor also proposes new targets to the human operator based on previous assignments.

Now each Reaper drone is controlled by two people: one is responsible for piloting, the second is for selecting targets. Due to a shortage of personnel, US Air Force operator shifts are long, so the risk of errors increases. The Agile Condor system will reduce the burden on people, so that one person will be able to control the drone in the future.

Initiative of the Week: China Proposes Global Data Security Standards

In August 2020, the United States launched the Clean Network program (“Clean Network”), which prohibits Chinese IT and telecom companies from doing business in the country. In response, China has proposed the development of global data security standards. Beijing is confident that all countries should respect the laws of other states in the technological field. Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the world community to develop a comprehensive approach that will allow any data to be treated without bias and ensure the sovereignty of all countries on the Internet. Beijing will advance its initiative through bilateral and regional agreements.

Case of the week: augmented reality for geology lessons

For geography and geology lessons, the teacher needs mineral models and rock samples, but not all schools can buy expensive models. The problem became especially urgent during the period of self-isolation, when children studied remotely. Modern technologies, including augmented reality, will help overcome this obstacle.

US developer Martin Pratt created the GeoXplorer AR app that lets you view geological models right from your phone or tablet screen. It will help the teacher take a virtual tour of an abandoned mine or show students what Martian craters look like. The application will also come in handy in the lessons of archeology, history and biology.

One line

• Przewalski’s horse has been successfully cloned for the first time in the United States.
• Cleaning robots will collect garbage from the bottom of the oceans.
• In Germany, they tested an energy-efficient aircraft shaped like the letter V.
• Marine research probes can be charged by pressure changes.
• “Acid” stickers made the planes invisible to neural networks.
• The hybrid drone can fly and walk.
• Amazon, Apple and Google will develop a standard for smart devices.

What to see

TED Talks by media artist Refik Anadol. He talked about how big data and neural networks help create paintings and installations, and also showed some of his works inspired by artificial intelligence.

What to listen

Release of the “Digital of the Future” podcast about intelligent transport systems. You will learn how AI helps drivers and traffic police officers, what “smart” intersections are, and whether modern technologies are needed on low-quality roads.

What to read

Report by the American private research center RAND on how China uses neural networks and big data to create a high-tech society, economy and military. The experts told how the video surveillance system helps to reduce crime throughout the country, what is the meaning of the social rating system and why China needs unmanned tanks and submarines.

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