Virtual Quidditch and quantum keys

[unixronin]

A student at Hampshire College has created a virtual Quidditch game as an experiment in artificial intelligence and genetic algorithms.  His virtual players evolve teamwork and strategies, but it seems the Snitch evolves too...

Deliberate errors:  Georgia Tech has designed probabilistic computing chips that save time and power by making approximate guesses instead of returning precise answers.  Simulations show energy savings of multiple orders of magnitude for some types of problems.  Oooooooookay, if it works....

NIST has set a speed record for quantum encryption with their demonstration of a quantum key distribution system that sends a quantum-encrypted bitstream at a megabit per second between two buildings 730m apart.  The system's data link uses an IR laser and 8" reflecting telescopes.

Comments

[juuro.livejournal.com]

A number of computing algorithms are based on approximations, even randomised guesses. I see no problem taking the same approach on the hardware level.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Sure. It sounds kind of whacked at first sight, but hey, if it works, it works. And if the hardware can deliver the same 3-orders-of-magnitude energy savings that the simulation showed ... wow. Your next cell phone might have days of talk time on a battery charge instead of hours, and weeks or months of standby.

Hey, it worked before

[databeast.livejournal.com]

It worked for the original Pentium (bug) didn't it? :-P

"We are Pentium of Borg, Division is Irrelevant! You will be approximated!'