Quantum Technology: Further thoughts for 2025.

Science can be spectacular, and I think an area to watch out for in 2025 is Quantum Science and Technology, particularly Quantum Computing.

Quantum Technology is relatively new. It has considerable potential to impact society and the future of sciences. Quantum Computing applies quantum concepts to information and its processing. There appears to be a race on in the field of computing – raising the question of how and when quantum technology will impact businesses.

This is a serious post about some serious science, but my purpose is just to give you the heads up for what may be to come and to stir your curiosity. Please note that on this particular subject I would defer to others more knowledgeable and experienced (some of whom are contacts of mine).

However, I have written about this subject generally a few times before. If you delve into this subject don’t worry if you find it challenging to understand – many of us do (indeed some experts do as well). A feeling of confusion sometimes shows you are learning and at least you are thinking about it.

My first post on this complex subject was in January 2021 ‘A Quantum Leap in my Learning’. It included some metaphors to aid understanding. I am repeating them again because I think they are still helpful in getting to grips with new ways of thinking which may be necessary.

‘Consider the challenge of finding your way out of a very complex maze or labyrinth. With a classical computer you can think of a stepwise process choosing Left or Right until you find the right path. However, with a quantum computer you can explore all paths at once – can be likened to flushing a bucket of water through the labyrinth.’ That explanation was an ‘aha moment’ for me! 💡

Elsewhere, I have heard that it is like ‘being able to read all the books in a library at once’. The speed and scope of this new technology viewed in this way becomes immediately more apparent to me.

Subsequently, during ESOF2022(EuroScience Open Forum) and beyond we were warned to beware the possible hype around this subject. I think this warning still applies. On the other hand, some possibilities which were deemed science fiction in the past may become reality.

On that note, I’ll finish by wishing you well in your exploration of this subject if it is new to you and I hope you found this helpful. Stay curious…

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 27/01/25

————

See the following links referred to above.

A Quantum Leap to start 2022.

A quantum leap in my learning

5 things I learned about in 2022, and a quick recap from ESOF2022.

AI: Further thoughts for 2025.

Well, things have certainly moved on since I posted on this subject in January 2023!

It seems everything is accelerating, and it can be exhausting just trying to keep up.

There are many aspects to AI – the science, the tools, benefits, risks etc. Here are a few thoughts to start this new year.

The applications and potential applications in clinical and medical research such as diagnostics are laudable and impressive. Of course, this is just one area and there are many others in many different fields. AI can facilitate research and management of large amounts of data rapidly and efficiently.

Globally, AI is being taken very seriously. Nationally, the UK government’s investment news in January 2025 demonstrates how seriously the potential of AI is being taken. I recall that at the World EXPO 2020 (hosted by Dubai) the UK Pavilion seemed a bit understated in comparison with some other pavilions but in hindsight I think its focus on AI was ahead of its time.

The enthusiasm for AI is palpable everywhere and it is indeed exciting. However, information overload can be overwhelming with what seems like an ever-increasing pace of what we are told or led to believe is progress. With the dizzying rate of tech change and AI development I think it is a time for some reality checks.

Is AI ‘artificial intelligence’ or is ‘augmented computation’ a better term in most instances?

Is artificial intelligence ‘still mostly an illusion’ as some researchers suggest?

Where is all this heading?
What do we really want?
What do we really need?
What do we not want?

Certain adages should be borne in mind regarding i) content: rubbish in – rubbish out. ii) algorithms: bias in – bias out.

I think healthy scepticism can be a good thing and even some self-mocking at times can foster a healthy perspective.

Then there is the pressing need for balance between technical innovation, and ethical and moral responsibility.

Is all this noise around AI making us any happier? I doubt it.

There are many AI tools being developed and opinions on their value or usability differ. Just because you can use them doesn’t mean you necessarily should. There are still a lot of questions to ask. Take care not to get sucked into something or give away personal data unintentionally.

Beware of hype or jumping on a bandwagon for fear of missing out. We can’t even get some simple basic things right. AI is not the solution to every problem.

AI offers enormous potential benefits for individuals and society. However, AI regulation is an important factor under debate. Protection is needed against potentially harmful effects particularly for adolescents and children.

Watch out for some great summits, conferences, and debates this year which should include the perspectives of people everywhere and at every level.

AI is here and there is enormous potential to benefit humankind. I am curious. There is much to learn and better understand. Opinions may change. Communication, education, and clarifications will be necessary

I think we can have a positive attitude regarding benefits or potential benefits of AI whilst proceeding with caution and eyes wide open.

It’s an interesting time. Let’s see what 2025 brings…

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 20/1/25

.

Previous post in January 2023 Thoughts on Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Bygone Years, Apple Trees, and Core Values.

Photo of me and apple tree in bygone years

I spent much of my childhood playing amongst the trees in a small but treasured orchard. This was thanks to my very smart working-class dad. ‘The orchard’ was his pride and joy. He created and nurtured this enclosed area in the garden of our family home – a feat of hard physical work, imagination, and love. The abundance of fruit was generously given to friends, relatives, neighbours, and any visitors to the house.

Cherishing simple important formative times and values which have stood me in good stead in running my business and life generally. The values remain at the heart of what my company does and how it does it.

This message comes in the Autumn apple season. There was always an abundance of both dessert and baking apples. But there was so much more…

For a fuller picture you can imagine the other fruits of Dad’s labour in his orchard: plums, damsons, greengages, pears, crab apples, gooseberries, blackberries, blackcurrants.

With trees, bushes and brambles galore, for me it felt like a wonderland of adventure and sheer delight!

Happy Autumn half-term holidays.

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 24/10/24

[Photos taken by my hubby-to-be on a return visit with me in my early 20’s.]

Playtime.

Work is serious but we don’t have to take ourselves too seriously.

Playtime is not just for the holidays and weekends but for anytime 😂.


[An image I created in a playful moment].

After all we are all kids at heart.

After the weekend is over
After the holidays are done
There is still time and times to be playful
Let’s do it. Bring joy and have fun.

.

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 9/9/24

Tempus fugit.

I can’t believe that it’s 5 years to the month since 2 groundbreaking publications on public health were published.

This was the kind of work one could only dream of. It involved working with a group of experts in a range of disciplines from three different countries.

New Publications in Population Health Intervention Research.

The publications have been useful to many people and often cited!

This opportunity cropped up out of the blue. So, you never know what might be just round the corner…

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 11/06/24

International Women’s Day.

The UN has announced the theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) on 8 March 2024 as ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’.

In the run up to IWD I reflected on IWD 2023 when I was out and about at various events relating to IWD globally and locally. See my photos from 2023.

IWD Global and local events

This year I’m staying close to home. I’d like to say how grateful I am to have daughters, a daughter-in-law, and granddaughters. I am very proud of them all. (I am of course very proud of all the male family members as well and their love and respect for women and girls).

IWD is about the girls ❤️ and girls at heart ❤️.

For IWD 2024 I will be supporting and cheering on other people who are out celebrating and actively participating in many different ways to promote and support women’s causes.

Happy IWD and beyond to everyone out there 🌍.

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 04/03/24

Love is in the air.

Here are some moments on film from our visit to the Galápagos Islands 20years ago…

Blue Footed Boobies are also famed for their courtship and dance.

Happy Valentine’s Day on February 14th.

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 14/02/24

.
[Another meme I prepared using my photos from that adventure]

Know your audience: you may be surprised.

A curious scene I captured on film during our visit to the Galápagos Islands 20years ago…

Galapagos creatures meme

[Another meme I prepared using another one of my photos from that adventure.]

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 05/02/24

A Tree of Life Sciences® 2024 and beyond.

.

In  2024 A Tree of Life Sciences® continues with consistency and more surprises to come.

A new year always gives scope for looking ahead whilst remembering the past particularly after 10 years of success. My company mission to inform, improve and inspire has remained a constant. It is clear that my ventures “off-piste” in photography, poetry writing and a range of communications have inspired many others to do the same judging by comments received and similar posts written on LinkedIn and other social media. It is satisfying and they do say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Keep it up .

I am a scientist with a clear purpose. I am an expert in life sciences, clinical and health research with interests and experience in life and sciences more generally.

I think that sometimes you have to look beyond to really see and understand what is in front of you. This could be my mantra 😊😉.

[See previous post on consistency and surprises here.]

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 16/01/24

(😊.‘Not all those who wander are lost’ from a poem by J.R.R. Tolkien.)’