Latest news with #Technical.lyDevelopersConference
Technical.ly
15-05-2025
- Science
- Technical.ly
Quantum computing is still in its infancy, but researchers have high hopes
While AI has been getting most of the attention as a world-changing technology lately, there's another technology on the horizon that has the potential to reshape the world: quantum computing. Explaining what quantum computing is and what it will do is complicated because to really understand it, you need to understand both how classic, or binary, computing works and what its limits are. Quantum physicist Shohini Ghose made this analogy: If binary computing is a candle, quantum computing is an electric light bulb; you can make the highest quality candle in the world, and it won't ever be able to do what a light bulb does. 'Quantum computing runs on linear algebra, just like quantum mechanics runs on linear algebra,' said Gushu Li of QUIEST — The Penn Center for Quantum Information, Engineering, Science and Technology — during his talk on quantum computing at the 2025 Developers Conference last week. 'In contrast, classical computing runs on Boolean algebra.' In the most simple terms, quantum computing is computing in multiple dimensions instead of being two dimensional. It's unimaginably fast — think about how quickly ChatGPT can create a spreadsheet and imagine the power generative AI will have combined with a technology that can solve a calculation in five minutes that would take a supercomputer of today literally millions of years to resolve. The science is so huge and hard to grasp that quantum mechanics has been cited in real-life scientific theory of multiple timelines. The reality, Li said, is that while we won't be using quantum laptops any time soon, quantum computing will likely make breakthroughs in the not-so-distant future. Some of those breakthroughs may be in: Medicine, as quantum computers help design new drugs faster Materials, leading to better batteries or superconductors Security, as today's encryption methods become obsolete Here are five takeaways from Li's talk. Quantum computing is rooted in the laws of physics, not classical logic While classical computers rely on Boolean logic and binary bits (0s and 1s), quantum computing leverages the principles of quantum mechanics, particularly superposition and entanglement, to process information using qubits — a unit of quantum information that is the equivalent of a binary bit. Unlike classical bits, Li said, qubits can exist in multiple states simultaneously, creating a vast computational space. The rise of quantum computing marks the second quantum revolution The first quantum revolution in the early 20th century led to technologies like the transistor and integrated circuits, foundational to today's electronics. The second revolution, Li said, focuses on using quantum mechanics directly for computation, opening new possibilities in algorithm design and computational power. Shor's algorithm sparked major interest in quantum potential In 1994, MIT professor Peter Shor introduced an algorithm that could factor large numbers exponentially faster than classical algorithms. Li said this posed a serious challenge to encryption of the time and demonstrated a use case, spurring investment and interest in quantum computing. Hardware and ecosystem development are rapid but fragmented Multiple quantum technologies are being explored, including superconducting circuits, ion traps (used in television technology) and photonic systems (light manipulation technology), with both startups and big tech companies like IBM, Google and Intel contributing to hardware development. Li said that IBM's release of a cloud-accessible quantum chip in 2016 was a pivotal moment, democratizing access to quantum hardware. The quantum software stack and workflow are still in their infancy Programming a quantum computer involves expressing algorithms as quantum circuits — a visual, linear algebra-based representation, Li said. New tools are required for programming, compiling, and interpreting quantum computing results. Unlike classical systems, reading or measuring, a qubit alters its state, making quantum computing inherently non-intuitive. 'Different technologies are trying to build better quantum devices,' Li said. 'Many companies are joining this field, and if you look at their roadmaps, they usually claim that by the end of 2030, they are expecting something around 1 million qubits.'
Technical.ly
24-04-2025
- Business
- Technical.ly
Meet the speakers and sessions powering the 2025 Technical.ly Developers Conference
Python, quantum computing, home automation with data privacy in mind and sure, why not: the relationship between computing and poetry. The Developers Conference has long been a valuable afternoon of professional development for software builders. We're back again on Wednesday, May 7, proudly part of the 15th annual Philly Tech Week presented by Comcast, which makes our developers conference possible. We're hosted inside the sleek Comcast Technology Center product floor. This might just be one of the longest-running, purest technical tech community events in Philadelphia. Close to 200 folks are already registered and last year we had to close registration early. Register here by April 30 — the early close date is for security purposes! (And because we might sell out, like we did last year!) Below get a snapshot of the afternoon's confirmed schedule, which is followed by an informal reception — the post-pandemic incarnation of Super Meetup, a gathering of active local tech meetups. 1 p.m. Doors open, networking Several workforce groups will be on hand to talk mentorship and career opportunities: Launchpad Hopeworks Per Scholas Resilient Coders Meet the sponsors who make the event possible, and see what they have to offer: Comcast — Philly Tech Week 2025 title sponsor JDAQA & X-Ray L3Harris M&T Bank Penn Engineering Penn State Great Valley Temple University Geography and Urban Studies 2 p.m. First session Untangle Once, Deploy Everywhere: Overcoming Python Ecosystem complexity for AI, Data Science, and Cross-Platform Applications Dawn Wages, Anaconda The Python ecosystem thrives on diversity but is often tangled with complexity. As a language that frequently serves as glue code, Python faces unique challenges in supporting packages with intricate dependencies, like GDAL, OpenCV, XGBoost and PyTorch, often required for AI and data science workloads, and is not yet home in the browser ECMAScript languages. This session delves into why building and maintaining Python platforms is so demanding, highlighting how Anaconda has pioneered robust solutions with the community, championing new tools and standards in 2025 to keep Python the most popular programming language in the world. From powerful dependency solvers to advanced system inspection tools, discover how Anaconda navigates the ecosystem's complexity to support platform variants and streamline workflows in partnership with industry partners and the open source community, empowering Python to meet the demands of modern scientific and AI applications for 40 million users and counting. The Function as a Breath of Thought: On the Computer as a Compositional and Performance Tool for Poetry William Hazard and Mike Bagwell Both Will and Mike curate writers who work at the intersections of poetry, technology and performance. Will produces the flat imagination workshop along with me quarterly. Mike is the creator of the Ghost Harmonics performance series. In addition, will has already created workshops showcasing creative coding using supercollider and has a deep passion for permacomputing and open source physical computing platforms for music creation. Stay tuned for a Comcast product session here, too. 3 p.m. Second session Blending Consumer and Enterprise Applications: Urality and Circular Philadelphia Samantha Wittchen and Justin Copenhaver This session explores the technical and architectural challenges of building B2B2C applications that serve both enterprise users and the public. Circular Philly is working to transform how the city diverts unwanted items from the landfill, while Urality provides the place-based infrastructure to manage dynamic networks of local businesses and services. We'll discuss the goals of the collaboration, the complexities of managing public and private data, and the strategies we're using to build a scalable, sustainable ecosystem for circular commerce in Philadelphia. What exactly are we building in quantum computing right now? Gushu Li, University of Pennsylvania QUIEST Speak Up Outside Standup Barry Wright III, Highwire Improv and Noom Join technologist and improviser Barry Wright for an interactive session that will give you tools, tricks, and techniques for communicating more often and more effectively. Specifically designed for those in technical roles, we'll practice speaking for different audiences, saying something when there's a challenge or conflict, and how to listen to solve problems. Level up with this 'communication gym' session! Stay tuned for a Comcast product session here, too. 4 p.m. Third session A Data Privacy Approach to Home Automation Amber Wilkie, SINAI Technologies If you've ever wanted to control your home from your phone but were skeptical of sharing such private data with Big Corporate, this talk is for you. We'll discuss how to protect your home's data and then get into the nitty-gritty of setting up and configuring an open-source hub for all the smart devices you covet. Blockchain in Action: Solving Today's Modern Challenges Karla Ballard and Mike McCoy, SEI Development Foundation In this talk, we'll explore how blockchain is being used to tackle some of today's most pressing challenges, from sending money across borders to enabling creators to earn more directly with their fans. We'll dive into real-world examples across industries like payments, consumer, gaming, AI, science and much more. Civic Tech Showcase (Demo of Recent Code for Philly projects) Josh Gerstein, PAX: PA Expunger and Tai Chan, Balancer Three Code for Philly project leads will talk about the technical challenges they've overcome to build their active, civic technology projects to use tech, data, and design as a mode of civic engagement. (Hint: One is for record expungement.) 5 p.m. Happy hour We close out the day with a casual and friendly happy hour with drinks and light bites. As the replacement to our old Super Meetup, we'll have several active tech meetups represented to meet and get involved, including: Code for Philly DataPhilly Indy Hall PhillyJS PhillyDev Slack Philly Python Startup Sunday (Philly)
Technical.ly
25-02-2025
- Business
- Technical.ly
This Week in Jobs: Add these 26 tech career opportunities to your vision board
Some corners of the internet were aflutter last week with news around Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, and her upcoming Netflix docuseries. While we're not closely watching the royals, we couldn't help but notice Meghan posting a vision board on her Instagram. It's a reminder that even a royal family member is thinking about goal setting. Not a fan of collaging your hopes and dreams? Consider writing down a list of your perfect future with goals, benchmarks, and more. Don't be afraid to think big, and take some inspiration from this week's jobs below. The News Mark your calendars! The Developers Conference returns May 7 as part of Philly Tech Week presented by Comcast. Join us to learn about the latest software trends, and network with a growing community of developers. Learn how Vanguard fosters an environment where feedback is welcomed and actively sought, ensuring that its products are innovative and meeting the needs of its clients, and crew are growing in their careers. Southwestern PA has all the ingredients to become a hub for green energy. All that's missing is the workers to make it happen. Learn how Pittsburgh is upskilling to make it happen. Last week, American University announced its own $150,000 venture fund managed completely by students and focused primarily on pre-seed and seed startups. Ben Franklin Technology Partners and are partnering on a series to showcase startups from BFTP's portfolio. Check the first two articles, highlighting trading card platform CollX and sustainable PPE company AmorSui. 'Effectively forcing firms to scrap their diversity pledges is no different than requiring them,' explains CEO Christopher Wink in his latest weekly Builders column. Client Spotlight What do data and analytics have to do with self-storage? More than you might think. Analytics play a pivotal role in decision-making across CubeSmart, shaping every aspect of the self-storage company's strategy from pricing and customer acquisition to real estate investments. 'Understanding customer behaviors helps us improve the way we engage with them and provide solutions tailored to their needs,' said Brian Schwan, VP of Revenue Management and Analytics. The Jobs Philly + Delaware Fintech for good company Perpay is hiring a Site Merchandising Manager and Senior Software Engineer, Fullstack. Help! Susquehanna International Group is looking for a Helpdesk Analyst. Vanguard could use a Sr. Cloud Security Specialist. Infojini is keeping an eye out for a Help Desk Analyst. Power Home Remodeling needs a Release Engineer. Brooksource is seeking a Business Analyst and Test Automation Lead. DC + Baltimore Brooksource is hiring a Test Automation Lead and Business Analyst. Danfoss could use a Refrigeration Technical Support Engineer- Food Retail. T. Rowe Price wants a Lead Enterprise Cloud Architect and Senior Software Engineer (.Net/C#). Grassroots Analytics is searching for a Senior Front End Developer. Mag Aerospace is scanning the skies for a Sr. Software Engineer. Pittsburgh eStaff Search Group needs an HPC/AI Engineer and Power BI Developer. Carnegie Mellon University could use an Embedded Software Engineer. Gecko Robotics is seeking a Test and Reliability Engineer. Cadence could use a Software Engineer II. Remote The End We envision a bright future for you. Catch you next time.
Technical.ly
20-02-2025
- Business
- Technical.ly
Professional development alert: Technical.ly Developers Conference returns May 7
Four hundred software developers joined us last year to make the Developers Conference meaningful. The event sold out. Let's do it again. For the 13th year, we at the news org are curating a collection of interesting and actionable case studies in computer science. This edition lands Wednesday, May 7. The day concludes with a welcoming networking happy hour, including the region's tech Super Meetups. As always, we're proudly part of Philly Tech Week Presented by Comcast, which is led this year by our friends at 1Philadelphia. The Developers Conference will again take over the product floor of the Comcast Technology Center, with its big windows, good views and friendly environment thanks to our host and title sponsor, Comcast. Sponsor the conference to reach our audience, and to support independent local journalism — find details here. Entry is just $20 for the half day of professional development plus the happy hour, or $10 if you can't make the earlier part and just want to slide in for the meetup Want to be a presenter this year? Apply here. Check out a list of the 2024 sessions below, and watch this playlist for examples from previous editions. State of Quantum Computing (Anthony Sigillito, QUIEST) Now That We Are in Web 3, What Should We Build Now? (Jaylen Sanders, Comcast) Evolution of Interactive Television (Leslie Chapman, Comcast) Communication Skills for Developers (Barry Wright, Noom, formerly Spotify) Unlocking the Value of Proprietary Data with Artificial Intelligence (Gary Mumford & Patrick Neborg) The Immense Power of Design Sprints (Kristen Gallagher, Google) Incremental View Maintenance Is Coming For Our Jobs,(Nick McAvoy) What's a WASI 101? Supporting Web Assembly, a new platform for Python development from CPython: (Dawn Wages, Microsoft) Unleashing AI Potential: Simplifying the Data Lifecycle for Rapid Scale and Innovation (Razi Raziuddin, FeatureByte)
