Quantum Computing: Between Vaporware and Revolutionary Math

Speaker: WillCrash This talk cuts through the quantum computing hype to reveal two crucial yet under-discussed aspects of the field: the "file drawer problem" of unpublished negative results and the emergence of powerful new mathematical tools for understanding computation. I will start by examining why many quantum computing startups might be "vaporware," explaining common pitfalls and overpromises in the industry. We\'ll look at specific examples of how the pressure to show positive results has skewed public understanding of the field\'s current state. However, the heart of the talk focuses on an unexpected positive outcome: the development of diagrammatic reasoning and categorical quantum mechanics. Using accessible visual examples, we\'ll show how quantum computing research has led to new ways of representing and understanding computation itself. We\'ll demonstrate how these visual tools make complex quantum concepts more intuitive, potentially revolutionizing how we teach and think about both classical and quantum computation.