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Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Lightware Revolution: Powering Business With Quantum Coherence
Dr. Pravir Malik is the founder and technologist of QIQuantum and the Forbes Technology Council group leader for Quantum Computing. When Tony Hsieh and the Zappos leadership team asked me to scale up the 'Cosmology of Light' workshops—chronicled in a two-part Forbes series—at the end of 2019 to also target external audiences, the invitation felt audacious even by the company's boundary-shattering standards. In those months, hundreds of employees—and, once the pandemic hit, thousands of online participants—closed their eyes, envisioned a radiant sphere of light at their core and invited their most stubborn personal or professional challenges into that luminous space. What's striking is how the core shift facilitated in the workshop mirrors the process of quantum computation. Light-Algorithms And Quantum Computation Let's first look at quantum computation in more detail. It begins by placing qubits into states of superposition and entanglement, allowing simultaneous exploration of many computational pathways. These qubits then evolve coherently, guided by a carefully sequenced set of quantum gates—the components of the algorithm. As the system progresses, these pathways interfere: Incorrect paths cancel out, while correct ones are amplified. The algorithm's effectiveness depends on maintaining coherence throughout this evolution, so that constructive interference can clearly reveal the most probable—or optimal—outcome at the moment of measurement. Now, let's look at the parallels at the human level. In the workshop setting, a participant begins by envisioning a globe of light radiating from their center—an act that invites a surrender to the 'logic' of that light. As the mind and heart settle, inner dialogue quiets and judgment recedes, a field of expanded awareness emerges. This is the human equivalent of superposition: multiple possibilities becoming simultaneously perceptible. The challenge to be addressed is then consciously introduced into this luminous space, entangling with it. Verbal cues and subtle instructions from the facilitator act as quantum gates, shaping the evolution of the algorithm. A successful light-algorithm culminates in a distinct somatic shift—a felt bodily signal that the process has completed. To test its efficacy, participants are encouraged to apply the method to one of two similar real-life situations, leaving the other untouched, and observe which yields the more constructive outcome in the following weeks. Quantum Computation Across Scale In earlier Forbes writings—beginning with "Learning From An Atom-Based Quantum Computer"—I've proposed that if the atom functions as nature's foundational quantum computer, then so must molecules, and by logical extension, all complex structures: cells, organisms, ecosystems—even people. Why then wouldn't the light-algorithm at the heart of these workshops also be a legitimate quantum computational process? We often assume that the quantum and classical worlds are fundamentally disconnected. The quantum is 'weird'—governed by uncertainty, nonlocality and entanglement—while the macro-world is logical and ordered. But perhaps this split reflects more of a perceptual bias than a truth. What if the unpredictability, strange synchronicities and nonlinear leaps we witness in human life and organizations are not separate from quantum behavior but extensions of it—the same weirdness expressed at a different scale? If so, then many so-called quantum oddities may not be odd at all. They may simply be universal patterns we've failed to recognize as continuous across the micro and macro. This reframes both life and physics: The quantum becomes familiar, and the familiar reveals its quantum depths. The Emergence Of Lightware Recognizing people, teams and organizations as nature-based quantum computers—systems that, like their engineered counterparts, require coherence-enhancing tools—introduces a new imperative for technological design. Imagine enterprise platforms that detect cognitive overload and dynamically reconfigure workflows to restore team-wide quantum coherence. Envision wearable devices that convert biometric patterns into a real-time "quantum-coherence index," gently nudging users toward stillness, where insight becomes most probable. Take it further to participatory AIs, trained on thousands of light-algorithm transcripts, which design personalized quantum interventions for healing, insight and innovation. Such AI involvement may reveal that 'soft skills' such as mindfulness, empathy and psychological safety are, in fact, analogous to error correction, noise mitigation and decoherence controls, respectively. At the furthest edge of this vision lies a future where entire organizations operate not as hierarchies or even networks but as coherent light fields, where strategic intent propagates through resonance rather than reporting lines. Taken together, these scenarios describe an emerging category that can be called 'lightware'—technologies engineered not just to process information but to entrain quantum coherence across biological, social and digital strata. A Quantum Opportunity The timing for such a leap is fortuitous. Photonic and neutral-atom quantum processors are rapidly advancing toward error-corrected performance. As I explored in a previous Forbes article, a QIQD (quaternary interpretation of quantum dynamics) perspective suggests that when light interacts with atoms, it doesn't merely shift energy—it extracts meaning. This opens a profound technological opportunity: to leverage QIQD-informed photonic-atomic processors in the development of lightware. Meaning-based processing could provide the foundation for a new ontology—one capable of translating the petabytes of behavioral data generated by wearables and agentic large language models into actionable metrics of quantum coherence. As hybrid work proliferates and AI-driven automation accelerates, this approach offers a timely and necessary response to the rising demand for deeper, more resonant forms of engagement. Quantum coherence may offer a measurable, trainable indicator that transcends productivity dashboards and employee-sentiment polls. Venture funds are already scouting startups that translate quantum principles into leadership development, culture engineering and decision support. Expect seed rounds for coherence-analytics platforms within the next couple of years and Series A investments in hardware-software quantum-coherence bundles soon thereafter. Much as pocket calculators demystified arithmetic, lightware may render quantum 'weirdness' a daily business tool and urge executives to stop questioning whether quantum thinking applies to enterprise life and start asking how quickly they can deploy it. The question facing leaders now is simple: Will you wait for quantum coherence to emerge by accident, or will you design for it on purpose? Those who choose the latter may discover that technological leaps aren't just about speed, precision or control but about quantum coherence. And that the next great innovation won't just be built on silicon or code—but on light. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Forbes
10-07-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Quantum Computing's New Frontier: Integrating Photonics, Neutral Atoms And Meaning
Dr. Pravir Malik is the founder and technologist of QIQuantum and the Forbes Technology Council group leader for Quantum Computing. The quantum computing industry is undergoing an extraordinary phase of innovation. While often justified by practical motivations, such as breaking RSA encryption, solving complex optimization problems or transforming drug discovery, this dynamism may be propelled by something more profound. At its core, it signals a broader paradigm shift: a thinning veil between the invisible forces that underlie the universe and the visible forms they generate. We are approaching a moment where subjectivity and objectivity—traditionally seen as opposites—are beginning to converge, and quantum computing is emerging as a powerful medium for this synthesis. The shape that matter or life assumes—whether atom, molecule or macromolecule—cannot be divorced from the subjective forces that, until now, have lingered in the background. These forces may not only determine form but also infuse it with meaning, influencing how the object behaves in and relates to the universe. Nature, it seems, computes through the interaction of such forms with light. This interaction establishes a persistent and inherently creative quantum computational process—one that is already a dance between the subjective and objective realms. Remarkably, our technological advances are mirroring this deep structure. Breakthroughs in both atom-based and photonic quantum computing are accelerating, and their integration holds transformative potential. This convergence could usher in an era where computation is not just about the objective processing of data but also about extracting, shaping and operating on meaning itself. We might refer to this next phase as meaning-based computation—a mode of quantum computing where the subjective dimension is not a byproduct but a core functional axis. It marks a profound leap: from solving equations to interpreting essence; from processing bits to navigating meaning. Advancements In Neutral Atom And Photonic Quantum Computing Neutral-atom quantum computing has rapidly evolved, showcasing profound capabilities. Platforms such as QuEra's neutral atom arrays exploit precise control of atoms trapped by optical tweezers, enabling sophisticated quantum operations. I recently hosted a Forbes event where we discussed QuEra's advancements. I'll only mention a few of the highlights below: Photonic quantum computing, exemplified by Xanadu's advances, has made notable progress through continuous-variable (CV) quantum computing techniques. At a different Forbes event, Xanadu and its contributions were discussed. Here were some of the biggest takeaways: Encoding Meaning In Quantum Systems Using Quaternary Interpretation of Quantum Dynamics (QIQD), a framework detailed in a new Springer Nature book, Pioneering New Avenues in Quantum Technology, suggests how computation in meaning leveraging photonic and neutral atom computing becomes possible. In QIQD, "meaning" can be encoded in continuous parameters of light interacting with atoms. According to QIQD, atoms embody fourfold or quaternary energetic imprints—quantifiable signatures defined by parameters such as frequency, amplitude, phase and polarization. Thus, an atom of silver holds a distinctly different quaternary imprint compared to one of gold. This conceptualization shifts computation from handling discrete states to manipulating specific, continuous, nuanced information. In this QIQD framework, photonic systems, particularly those employing qumodes—a quantum mode of light, representing a continuous variable quantum system—emerge as superior computational mediums. Unlike qubits, which discretize information, qumodes inherently represent continuous variables, naturally aligning with QIQD's emphasis on continuous energetic imprints. Neutral atom arrays complement photonic computing. The stable coherence properties of neutral atoms facilitate the reliable extraction and preservation of atomic imprints. Furthermore, the versatility in arranging mixed-species arrays enhances the distinctiveness of these imprints, as different species possess unique resonant frequencies that enable highly selective and detailed probing. Dynamic rearrangement capabilities allow the exploration of new configurations and emergent functionalities. Using Light And Atoms To Extract Meaning Light extraction of these meanings in neutral atom arrays is envisioned to be precise and efficient. Tunable lasers, matched to the unique resonant frequencies of atomic species, selectively illuminate atoms, interacting with and extracting continuous-variable energetic imprints. These imprints manifest as specific modulations in the probing light's frequency, amplitude, phase and polarization. Techniques such as homodyne detection precisely measure these modulations, capturing the atomic "meanings" in the quantum states of qumodes. This captured information can then be manipulated, stored or transferred, facilitating advanced computational processes. The practical implications of harnessing these deeper levels of quantum computation through the synergy of neutral atoms and photonics are transformative. Hypothetically, this could lead to combining signatures of elements known to be chemically incompatible. Helium and lithium signatures programmed into matter could revolutionize energy storage, superconductivity or advanced photonics. Similarly, new oxygen-fluorine or carbon-neon programmed matter could provide powerful oxidizers for propulsion or unique optical features crucial for future quantum computational technologies. The Quantum Future Unveiled The convergence of photonic quantum computing and neutral atom arrays—when interpreted through the lens of the QIQD—charts a bold and expansive trajectory for the future of quantum technology. It moves beyond the constraints of discrete-state architectures, ushering in a computational paradigm rooted in the continuous, expressive 'meanings' encoded in atomic energetic imprints. This emerging framework not only redefines how we compute but also how we understand the fabric of matter, energy and information itself, opening the door to a quantum future that is not just faster or more powerful but fundamentally more aware. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
