IBM sets the goal of a 1000 qubit computer by 2023 and in the last year, there are been a lot of talk about the revolutionary effect of Quantum computing on the world. So now is the time to break it down and look at how to add it to your game.
Although firstly, we need to look at why Quantum computing is going to change the landscape of the Net. Over the last 100 years or so, the computer has gone from a fancy and expensive calculator to the ubiquitous must-have device of anyone who wants to be digitally connected. The computational power of computers has doubled every 2 years (See Moore’s Law), as we have moved from mechanical switches, to vacuum tubes, to transistors, and integrated circuits. However, the underlying idea has been the same, a switch with two states, on & off (or one & zero).
Now there is a Quantum Shift (Sorry, I couldn’t resist) because Quantum processors work differently to the older technology. The qubit exists as both a 1 & 0 at the same time and only resolves to give the answer when you examine it. The best way to look at this is Google’s claim at Quantum supremacy, by solving a problem that would take a classical supercomputer 10,000 years to solve, in 200 seconds. (See the Popular Mechanics article and a CNN report).
With the increase in capabilities, there are also limitations. The primary one being the cooling of the Quantum Cores. They need to be kept close to absolute zero (−273.15°C or −459.67°F) otherwise the processors stop working and just produce chaos. This cooling requirement will require enough space to hold the specialized hardware to cool the machine. So it seems unlikely that the technology will fit into your pocket, but will WiFi (or similar). However, by link it to your mobile phone, or agent you can link to the bigger systems.
The continued increase in computing power will lead to a lot of stuff we recognize from the Cyberpunk RPG. Immersive environments like the Net and SimSense. New technologies emerging every year. The exponential growth of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), which should lead to the Singularity, at least for the super-rich, who will reap the rewards of hyper-evolution, super technology, and digital consciousness.
So by the time of the Red, it’s likely that AIs will have reached a level conscientious equivalent to the entirety of humanity. How this new AI civilization behaves and reacts to the limited humans it’s forced to work with can be a great source for cyberpunk stories. Although these are still human, AI is very likely to be a lot weirder or at least different to us. Its behaviors will be equally as unusual, but we may understand its motivations.
As a side note, TV Tropes has a list of examples in the Super Intelligence & Artificial Intelligence categories, that point the direction towards an intelligence beyond human. One example is the way Ava manipulates Caleb into helping her escape in Ex Machina. Both Limitless (2011), and The Lawnmower Man (1992) explore the idea of superhuman Intelligence. The first uses a drug, while the other uses VR.
Adventure Seed
New technology is always a good MacGuffin for an adventure. Regardless, of whether it works or not, it’s a fake, or just a hollow rumor to drive up a stock price. If it was to fall into the wrong hands any technology developed would tip the scales away from you. Anyone holding the hot potato will be a target or anyone infected with its touch. Corporations will stop at nothing to remove this from play.
One possibility would be a Quantum Computer Core that can analyze the brains of people to predict the likely reaction to Cyberware implants and reduced rates of Cyber-psychosis. However, this requires tens of thousands of neural profiles. So an Executive has set up a medical clinic providing free neuralware upgrades for the local citizens. Government funds purchase the Data-Term, Machine, and Vehicle Links for about 50,000 people, ages 16 to 20. (Hook: The Government advertises the Upgrade your Mind Initiative on the news.)
A local clinic is offering cheap upgrades. However, the place has a long waiting list as they can only do about 50 operations per day. There are 5 Medtechs with 5 more assistants who hands the medical side. 2 Netrunners out the back running scans and feeding data to the AI Core. Security is 3 people. One on the door checking people, one working as an assistant, and the third with the Netrunners.
In reality, this location is a front for a small innocuous corporate-run research facility. The Executive who runs the place thinks that anyone who could get past the local security, couldn’t escape with a half-ton QCore before the response team from HQ arrives.
The receptionist is a local Fixer and organizes a gap in the booking list for a small fee. And one of the Medtechs is moonlighting at a local Arcology providing free upgrades by sneaking the hardware out the door.
Repercussions! If something goes down here the locals will be pissed about losing a source of cheap cyberware or at least shooting up the place.
