Why Robots, AI, AL AND
Quantum Computing ?
Prof Peter Cochrane OBE
petercochrane.com
Date: 23 Jan 2020
Time: 18.00 - 21.00
PUBLIC LECTURE
A154, Lindop Building,
CollegeLaneCampus AL109AB

n e m e s i s o r g e n e s i s
“Our technological progress now sees us solving problems and creating
things way beyond the abilities furnished by our biology”
“It also sees us creating challenges that may threaten our long-term
survival and that of all life on the planet”
“There is no going back, no reverse gear; our technological dependency
is complete - and we have to look in that directions for solutions”

A X I O M AT I C

t h e r m o d y n a m i c s
This will
Understand This
Never
Adding more and more of
these disconnected brains
does not improve the
situation significantly

I CE M E LT
Our computer models are crude and
incomplete but the approximations they
give us are alarming!
Panicking
is
a
very
poor
substitute
for
thinking

N at u r a l D i s a s t e r s
DITTO

E x t r e m e W e at h e r
DITTO

G lo b a l Wa r m i n g
1990 1940 1980 2020
1.0C
0.6C
0.2C
-0.2C
-0.6C
-1.0C
1362 W/m2
1361 W/m2
1360 W/m2
Solar
Irradiance
Mean Global
Temp Rise

G lo b a l Wa r m i n g
1990 1940 1980 2020
1.0C
0.6C
0.2C
-0.2C
-0.6C
-1.0C
1362 W/m2
1361 W/m2
1360 W/m2
Solar
Irradiance
Mean Global
Temp Rise
irrefutable
evidence
unclear/dubious
solutions

G lo b a l Wa r m i n g
The distribution of change is not
homogenous it is clustered with
hot and cold regions/spots
A very small temperature change
can result in a very a big impact
on the weather system
“The system is fundamentally non-
linear and way beyond our math
and computing abilities”

G lo b a l Wa r m i n g
The distribution of change is not
homogenous it is clustered with
hot and cold regions/spots
A very small temperature change
can result in a very a big impact
on the weather system
“The system is fundamentally non-
linear and way beyond our math
and computing abilities”
irrefutable
evidence
change
is
happening
to
w
hat
end
?

S I D E B A R : d e m o g r a p h i c s
Immigrant labour is now an essential
Not enough skilled and unskilled people
Insufficient highly educated professionals
Low numbers of innovators and change agents
A very limited number of problem solvers
Unfit for purpose education systems
Stretched to breaking healthcare
+++++++
People migrations to come
Aging populations throughout the developed and developing world
technology
is
all
w
e
have
that
is
grow
ing
exponentially

S o l u t i o n s
“The problems confronting us
d e m a n d f a r m o r e t h a n
changing all the lightbulbs,
saving plastic and paper,
bottle tops, solar panels,
wind farms”
This is a complex situation
and there are no simple
solutions - we face many
difficult challenges and
decisions…
N o s i l v e r b u l l e t s

s e g u e o u t : S I M P L E
Linear System; The input and output
change in direct proportion step-by-step
- E.G. y = m x + c
Non-Linear System; The input and
output do not change in direct
proportion - E.G. y = m xn+ c

C O M P L E X
Linear System; A given set of
input conditions always result in
the same outcome but in a
complex hard to understand way
Non-Linear System; A given set
of input conditions never result in
the same outcome

e x a m p l e ( S )
1) When asked the same
question periodically from being
sober tototally inebriated the
answers will span a range of
p o s s i b i l i t i e s b e c o m i n g
increasingly unlikely with time.
2) Outcomes are influenced by the
starting conditions and previous
activities…stored states and
memories in a computer for
example!

S I M P L E r e a l i t y
Simple
Linear
Problems
Hard
Linear
Problems
Nasty
Problems
“Where, and how, we are educated
affords the illusion of a largely linear
and well behaved universe that can be
well characterised mathematically and
modelled by computer programs”

C O M P L E X r e a l i t y
Hard
Non-Linear
Problems
Linear
Problems
“But, the universe is a fundamentally
complex and non-linear place where
the illusion of simplicity is transitory
and short lived - and we face many
problems beyond our human and
digital computing abilities”
Nasty
Non-Linear
Problems

C o m p u t i n g l i m i t s
Digital computers are self limited by their inability
to physically scale-up to cope with the exponential/
combinatorial complexity challenge of big (nasty)
Non-Linear problems such as climate change,
weather prediction, chemistry, biology, ecological
and life systems, population change, conflict/
behavioural modelling of countries, societies,
networks, economies al.

s tat u s Q U O
A combination of Quantum Computing, AI, and
Super Computers is required to solve problem
sets of this kind.
Super Computers are advanced
and stable elements; AI is making
rapid advances with many
positive contributions already;
whilst QC is still in its infancy!

s e g u e I N : s i m p l e m i n d e d
Climate
State
Good
Stable
Bad
Unstable
Average
Temperature
State 1
State 2

s e g u e I N : s i m p l e m i n d e d
Climate
State
Good
Stable
Bad
Unstable
Average
Temperature
State 1
State 2
Tundra Methane Release
Amazon Destruction
Ocean Temp Rise
CO2 Forest Fires
Ice Melt CO2
Pollution
++++

s e g u e I N : s i m p l e m i n d e d
Climate
State
Good
Stable
Bad
Unstable
Average
Temperature
State 1
State 2
Tundra Methane Release
Amazon Destruction
Ocean Temp Rise
CO2 Forest Fires
Ice Melt CO2
Pollution
++++

T H E U P S I D E
Where are we ?
What do we have ?
What can we actually do ?
What is on the wider horizon ?

g e n o m e
d e c o d e
Demanded powerful digital
computers and advanced robotics
to achieve a workable price break

g e n o m e
d e c o d e
Demanded powerful digital
computers and advanced robotics
to achieve a workable price break
characterises
>5000
rare
conditions
used
for
>100
drug
designs
ALL
LIFE
ON
EARTH
FLORA
and
FAUNA
is
m
ade
of
the
sam
e
genom
ic
stuff

P r ot e i n
F o l d i n g
An ongoing challenge >1000 fold
more complex than decoding the
genome and demands strong AI to
solve the ’N’ Dimensional
complexity of folding and key/
pattern matching. Making good
progress and the machines are
learning fast…but faster and ever
more powerful AI required to
accelerate the process

P r ot e i n
F o l d i n g
An ongoing challenge >1000 fold
more complex than decoding the
genome and demands strong AI to
solve the ’N’ Dimensional
complexity of folding and key/
pattern matching. Making good
progress and the machines are
learning fast…but faster and ever
more powerful AI required to
accelerate the process
M
ASSIVE
COM
BINATORIAL
COM
PLEXITY
OUT
OF
REACH
FOR
HUM
ANITY
BUT
W
ITHIN
THE
GRAsp
of
m
achines

k i l l e r
e r r o r s
“Communication Errors
in this path decide our
ultimate fate”
Our Genome can transmit
correct or corrupted or
mutated data
Data can mutate or become
corrupted during transport
Outcome can be a cancer,
virus, useful or mutated
variant cellular structures
>95% of all human ailments are thought to be down to
data errors during the creation of new proteins - these
mechanisms also looks to be vital to the evolution process

k i l l e r
e r r o r s
“Communication Errors
in this path decide our
ultimate fate”
Our Genome can transmit
correct or corrupted or
mutated data
Data can mutate or become
corrupted during transport
Outcome can be a cancer,
virus, useful or mutated
variant cellular structures
>95% of all human ailments are thought to be down to
data errors during the creation of new proteins - these
mechanisms also looks to be vital to the evolution process
decoding
this
com
m
s
path
dem
ands
QC
and
ai plus
plus
plus

Without QC we will never understand:
-Life
-Physics
-Biology
-Chemistry
-Cosmology
-Complexity
-Non-Linearity
-Quantum Mechanics
-Many-Body Problems
-G e o l o g i c a l D y n a m i c s
-Weather/Climate Systems
-++++++++++++++++++
s e g u e o u t : w h y Q C

QCs are NOT:
-Digital
-Deterministic
-Long term stable
-About to replace all our digital computers
-Going to instantaneously crack all encryption
QCs ARE:
-Analogue
-Subject to errors
-Conditionally stable
-Reliant on error correction
-Produce probabalistic answers
B ac k to A n a lo g u e

QCs work in a partnership with digital computers as
their agents of control, algorithm programming, I/0
s e l e c t i o n a n d e r r o r c o r r e c t i o n : a n d t h a t i s v e r y
unlikely to change unless we make some fundamentally
new discoveries in physics and/or materials
O P E R AT I O N
QCs produce a range of possible/likely answers that
c a n b e q u i c k l y t e s t e d b y a c o n v e n t i o n a l d i g i t a l
computer

Q b i t d u a l i t y
H a r d & E a s y t o u n d e r s t a n d !
D i g i t a l B i t s h a v e t w o i n v a r i a n t
l o n g t e r m s t a b l e s t a t e s :
1:0
Quantum Bits enjoy a infinity of
short term probabalistic
stable states:
1 01 01 01 01 01010101010
Schrödinger
Schrödinger
“ S c h rö d i n g e r ’s B i t s"

a n a l o g y
S p e e d o f s p i n r u l e s h e r e
Tw o d i s t i n c t s t a t e s
E n g i n e e r i n g L i c e n c e !
I m a g i n e t h i s c o i n s p i n n i n g
1 0 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 … 0 0 0 x f a s t e r

Hard problem
I s o l a t e d o p e r a t i o n @ < 0 . 2 K
I s o l a t e d
T h e r m a l l y
M e c h a n i c a l l y
E M S h i e l d e d
A n y f o r m o f
e n e r g y i n p u t
r e s u l t s i n Q
i n s t a b i l i t y !

C O M P L E X
c o n t r o l
T h e C r y o g e n i c , C o n t r o l
a n d C o m p u t i n g P l a n t i s
v a s t c o m p a r e d t o t h e
Q C H a r d w a r e i n t e r m s
o f p h y s i c a l s i z e a n d
e n e r g y c o n s u m p t i o n
M
y
Guess
is
w
e
w
on’t
see
m
uch
w
idespread
use
for
a
decade
plus

Gary Kasparov
IBM Deep Blue
segue IN : GAME CHANGER 97
Considered to be impossible by philosophers

i n < 3 0 Y e a r s
~ 1,000,000,000 x chip capacity
Cray 2 1985
$32M and 5kW
iPhone 5 2012
$700 and 5W
3 x more
powerful

A I S AVE S l i v e s
N o w u b i q u i t o u s b u t i n v i s i b l e

R o b o t s & A I
Ta k e o v e r o r b u d d y - b u d d y ?
“Networked surgical/medical
robots learn in parallel not
serial like humans”

I N I N D U S T R Y
Ta k e o v e r o r b u d d y - b u d d y ?

A I D E I S G N A N D
R O B O T B U I L D

segue out: AI & Robotics
Problem
Algorithm
Solution
Computing
Problem
Algorithm
Solution
Machine
Learning
Problem
Priming
Algorithm
Solution
AI
Outcomes
Dynamic
Algorithm Dynamic
Correction

segue out: AI & Robotics
Problem
Algorithm
Solution
Computing
Problem
Algorithm
Solution
Machine
Learning
Problem
Priming
Algorithm
Solution
AI
Outcomes
Dynamic
Algorithm Dynamic
Correction

Where Are We Today?At the foothills of AI with a mountain to climb
Intelligence
Abilities
Categories
1) Narrow
Singular Problem Solving
with human involvement
in coding and tuning
Human based algorithm
Top down, Bottom up
Machine learning
Multiple Problem Classes
with interactive memory
- little or no human help
Initial algorithms from (1) + a learning
abilty - solves problems by observing,
playing and creating rule sets
2) Learning
3) Cognitive
4) Wide
A wide range of problem
sets - with cognition &
near 100% autonomy
Initial algorithms from (2) + a degree
of understanding - sees new ways of
analysis and solution formulation
Can address any problem
type/set - has high level
context/self awareness
A completely new ‘mind’ proposition
in a variety of species connected to
the wider environment - autonomous
Machine influence
Human influence
Most AI today
is here as it is
so very easy
Google
alpha-go
IBM
Watson

Where Are We Today?At the foothills of AI with a mountain to climb
Intelligence
Abilities
Categories
1) Narrow
Singular Problem Solving
with human involvement
in coding and tuning
Human based algorithm
Top down, Bottom up
Machine learning
Multiple Problem Classes
with interactive memory
- little or no human help
Initial algorithms from (1) + a learning
abilty - solves problems by observing,
playing and creating rule sets
2) Learning
3) Cognitive
4) Wide
A wide range of problem
sets - with cognition &
near 100% autonomy
Initial algorithms from (2) + a degree
of understanding - sees new ways of
analysis and solution formulation
Can address any problem
type/set - has high level
context/self awareness
A completely new ‘mind’ proposition
in a variety of species connected to
the wider environment - autonomous
Machine influence
Human influence
Most AI today
is here as it is
so very easy
Google
alpha-go
IBM
Watson
Isolated
Fixed
Machines
Networked
Fixed
Machines
Networked
Fixed/Mobile
With Sensors
Networked
Fixed/Mobile
With Full I/O
Main Frame
Main Frame
PC Laptop
Main Frame
PC Laptop
Mobile
Main Frame
PC Laptop
Mobile Robot Sentient
Machines
Sentient
Lifeforms
Cyborgs

5
TYPE 1
Reactive
Task Specific
Very Limited
Largely Pattern Matching
Human Programmers: Chess, cards,
dominoes data, speech, pictures,
characters, behaviours, movements+
Narrow Cognition
Largely Programmed by AI alone:
Subsume the networked knowledge
of previous and current generations
TYPE 3
Reasoning
Multi-Task Ability
Broadly Applicable
TYPE 2
Learning
Task Specific
Broadly Applicable
Memory and Analysis
Initial Human AI Program That Then
Adapts: Recognises highly complex/
large scale non-linear relationships
LADDER
A I P r o g r e s s
Full Awareness
May be categorised as a ‘being’:
With a wide range of sensory units
networked to other machines
TYPE 4
Self-Aware
~ 70yrs to become a solid
& deployable technology
2027 Robotic embodiment,
extensive sensors & actuators
plus entity networking
rapidly raises the game
2017 Google Alpha GO
p r o p e l s A I i n t o a n
autonomous future of
learning & doing
2024 AI-Human cooperation
see exponential innovation &
progress of AI capabilities

robots & AI
Powering Industry and Trade

segue IN: learning fast
A n y t h i n g y o u c a n d o I c a n d o b e t t e r …

ROBOT EGO ?
Just showing off….

L i f e
s av e d
c r e at e d
r e p u r p o s e d
Nightmare, Nemesis, or
n e w r o u t e s t o c u r e s ,
repairs, solutions ?
“Carbon, Oxygen, Sulphur,
Hydrogen, Phosphorus and
Nitrogen, is not the only life
supporting framework - they
just happen to apply on this
planet”

321 × 500
Artificial Life
A vitro within the last month
Customised life-form constructed
from frog cells - are we destined
to become the agent of an
evolutionary speed up

321 × 500

321 × 500
Code Generation - Malware
B r e e d i n g - L i f e S y s t e m
Simulation
A r t i f i c i a l L i f e
In silico since 1985 - now in use

M I C R O - R O B O T S
Dumb today - smart tomorrow

A n d o u r B I G p r o b l e m s
“We live in a closed and
isolated system and there is
no Plan(et) B”
BACK TO TODAY
“How do we build sustainable
solutions/industries/food and
material supplies ? ”

BIO-TECH nano-TECH
AIRoboticsMulti-Disciplinary
hot spot for the 21C
New materials
New industries
New processes
New capabilitiess
Lower energy
Lower waste
Less friction
i n d u s t r y 4 . 0
T h i s i s t h e f i r s t v i t a l s t e p
p
o
lis
h
in
g
a
ll
o
u
r
o
ld
in
d
u
s
t
r
ies
T
ec
h
a
n
d
P
r
o
c
es
s
is
n
o
t
en
o
u
g
h

IoT
3G
4G
5G
Blue
Tooth
WiFi GSM
EGSM
LTE
Mesh-Nets
ZigBee
UNBLoRa
RPMA
BLE
UNB
UWB
W-P
Manufacture
R&D
BIO- nano
AIRobotics
I4.0 3R Cycling
C r e a t i n g s u s t a i n a b i l i t y
IoT = The future n e r v o u s
s y s t e m o f t e c h & n e t s
- a n E c o s p h e r e f o r u s
a n d t h e p l a n e t
F r o m b i r t h t o d e a t h ,
w e l f a re a n d e d u c a t i o n ,
e m p l o y m e n t , f a m i l i e s &
f r i e n d s … … a l l h e a l t h c a re
a n d a c t i v i t i e s h a v e t o b e
s u p p o r t e d b y a s u s t a i n a b l e
f r a m e w o r k t h a t s u p p o r t s a l l
t h e n e e d s o f a l l h u m a n i t y

O B J E C T I V E
For stability without conflict
“We have to stop producing
more and more for the few to
start providing sufficient for
the many”
“Globalisation and information/
knowledge sharing are primary
components of this ideal”
Axiom - Cochrane

We might just hold all the
necessary components to
create tech sustainable
solutions…
…but it all starts with
industry: the production and
supply of goods, materials,
foods, water and services to
sustain peoples in a manner
the planet can afford!
Robotics
AI
Nano
Tech
BIO
Tech
IOT
Cloud
T h e J i g s a w

We are tech/solution rich - we
just need the will & application
T h e c o re t e c h n o l o g i e s
necessary to realise new
materials & manufacturing
methods also requires a
w r a p p e r o f f u n c t i o n a l
support with monitoring,
data gathering, mining,
management, supervision,
services, security….
Robotics
AI
Nano
Tech
BIO
Tech
IOT
Cloud
BIGDATA
SMALL
DATA
Logistics
Production
Services
Support
3R
3 & 4D
Printing
Micro
Forming
ProgramableForming/Shaping
Smart
Materials
Programable
Colouration
Embedded
Intelligence
Micro
Lattice
Structures
SelfRepair
Distributed
Automation
Localised
Production
Human-Robot
Buddy-Buddy Working
Human-AI
Team Working
Machine + AI
Globalisation
New
Materials
Management
Genetics
Proteomics
Stem cells
Smart
Supply
Chains
Auto-Immunity
Sociology
of Things
Autonomous
Security GPS
Tracking
opportunity

I4.0: Kernel
New materials, sciences, tech,
engineering, processes, automation,
robotics, intelligences, thinking…
BIO-TECH nano-TECH
AIRobotics
Superior metals, plastics,
ceramics, electronics and
eletro-optics, mechtranics,
sensors and actuators +++
Low cost processing and
forming + high efficiency,
low energy and material
cost with >95% recovery
at the end of life

New Metals
Negating the destructive
practices of Industry I/2/3
whilst achieving superior
properties and performance
at much lower energy cost

Nano-Tech

C o at i n g s

C o at i n g s

M e t a l , P l a s t i c , C o n c r e t e + + +
S E L F H E A L I N G

Self cleaning
Printed panels
Colour programmable
Self repairing to a point
Integrated energy storage
Not wholly possible yet - but certainly feasible
f e a s i b l e v e h i c l e s

T o B e C o m m e r c i a l i s e d

w h e e l / t y r e r e v o l u t i o n

m a n y va r i A n ts

W h e e l
F u t u r e s

- Materials inventory & suppliers
- Production process detail
- Vehicle compatibilities
- Full logistics record
- Storage histories
- Handling details
- History of use
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Stress
- Failures
- Repairs
- Disposal
- Recycle
- Reuse
- +++
- Dynamic element of a vehicle
- Performance optimisation
- Parameter adjustment
- Pressure adaptation
- Suspension trim
- +++
D u m b T o S m a r t

Wired to wireless
T h e e ra d i c a t i o n o f
cables now pending
D u m b T o S m a r t

Cost /unit << $0.01
Power/unit << 0.1uW
P r i n ta b l e s

Localised facilities cut down
on component part logistics
cost with bulk powders/fluids
shipped direct to small shops
…the potential for transport
saving here is vast…
… s h i p p i n g d e s i g n s a n d
s p e c i f i c a t i o n s i n s t e a d o f
products is the next big step
for globalisation…
Plastic
Metal
Po w d e r
Delivery
Small
Local
Company
P r o d u c t i o n

…cost effective ??
P R I N T E D

7Bn mouths demand modern farming technology
F E E D I N G T H E W O R L D

FEEDING (MORE?) WITH LESS
More planet friendly - less energy, materials and damage ?

I n t e r n e t o f p e o p l e
P e r s o n a l l y , l o c a l l y , g l o b a l l y c o n n e c t e d
Tagged Food Prepared/Consumed Food What we Do Are We Well ?
AnalysysInformed Diagnosis The Out

I n t e r n e t o f p e o p l e
P e r s o n a l l y , l o c a l l y , g l o b a l l y c o n n e c t e d
Tagged Food Prepared/Consumed Food What we Do Are We Well ?
AnalysysInformed Diagnosis The Out

I n t e r n e t o f p e o p l e
P e r s o n a l l y , l o c a l l y , g l o b a l l y c o n n e c t e d
Tagged Food Prepared/Consumed Food What we Do Are We Well ?
AnalysysInformed Diagnosis The Out

N o n - I n v a s i v e t o I n v a s i v e t o i m p l a n t
Non Invasive Invasive(ish) Invasive
User Driven Doctor/User Doctor Driven
’n’ hours/day 24/7 Melts Away
F U T U R E M O N I T O R I N G

A X I O M
Things that Think want to Link
and
Things that Link want to Think

Why oh why do we think we are unique ?
h u m a n r e a c t i o n

Thank You
petercochrane.com