Recognized with the 12th BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Basic Sciences, mathematician Peter Shor explains how his quantum factorization algorithm opened a revolutionary path in the development of quantum computing and modern cryptography. Shor describes the emergence of quantum computation from its early stages, outlining the key technical challenges faced by this field —such as quantum error correction— and reflects on the potential impact of this technology on cybersecurity and cryptography in a connected world. He also analyzes the relationship between mathematics, physics, and technology, emphasizing why basic research in these areas remains essential for building the future of science.
The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Basic Sciences has gone in this twelfth edition to Charles Bennett, Gilles Brassard and Peter Shor for their “outstanding c
Recognized with the 12th BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Basic Sciences, mathematician Peter Shor explains how his quantum factorization algorithm opened a revolutionary path in the development of quantum computing and modern cryptography. Shor describes the emergence of quantum computation from its early stages, outlining the key technical challenges faced by this field —such as quantum error correction— and reflects on the potential impact of this technology on cybersecurity and cryptography in a connected world. He also analyzes the relationship between mathematics, physics, and technology, emphasizing why basic research in these areas remains essential for building the future of science.
The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Basic Sciences has gone in this twelfth edition to Charles Bennett, Gilles Brassard and Peter Shor for their “outstanding contributions to the field of quantum computation and communication,” said the committee in its citation.
00:00 Introduction
00:05 Could you explain how your work showed the superior calculating capacity of quantum computers and why this was such an important discovery?
01:02 Could you describe your discovery of quantum error correction and its implications for the future development of quantum computers?
01:54 Looking to the future, what do you think quantum computers will achieve for the benefit of humanity?
