World-renowned theoretical physicist Michio Kaku painted a striking picture of humanity’s transition from the information age to the quantum age. In his 70-minute video released last month, which garnered great attention, Kaku examined both quantum computers, which is shaping the future of science, and string theory, which holds the deepest secrets of the universe.
Stating that quantum computers will not only bring economic or technological benefits but also give scientists the opportunity to solve the fundamental laws of the universe, Kaku said:
“The equations of string theory are so complex that classical computers are inadequate to solve them. Thanks to quantum computers, these equations can be solved numerically and compared with observational data.”
The Japanese-American theoretical physicist Michio Kaku, who attracted the attention of the scientific community with his 2023 book Quantum Supremacy, once again captivated audiences with his 70-minute video released last month. In it, he delved into both the future-shaping potential of quantum computers and the profound mysteries of string theory.
In the first part of his talk, Kaku took his listeners to the threshold of a new scientific era ushered in by quantum computers. He shared that, as a child, he had been inspired by Albert Einstein’s pursuit of a “unified field theory.” This curiosity, he explained, led him into theoretical physics and set him on a lifelong scientific journey. Today, as both a theoretical physicist and science communicator, he said he bears witness to humanity’s transition from the information age to the quantum age.
Quantum computers can follow billions of computational paths simultaneously
According to Kaku, quantum computers are not merely a new type of faster machine; they represent a paradigm shift that will expand humanity’s capacity to understand the universe. He emphasized that classical computers, constrained by Moore’s Law, now face serious physical barriers as transistors approach atomic scales. “Quantum computers, on the other hand,” Kaku explained, “use nature’s most fundamental principles, that is, superposition, entanglement, and quantum tunneling, to follow billions of computational paths simultaneously.” Kaku noted that this technology has the potential to fundamentally transform the methods of scientific research. He particularly highlighted molecular simulations, stressing that quantum computers could provide unprecedented precision in areas such as drug discovery, materials science, and catalyst design, far beyond the reach of classical computers. He further explained that by mimicking natural nitrogen fixation, new methods could be developed to make fertilizer production far more energy-efficient. He also underlined that fusion technology, which is seen as a solution to the global energy crisis, could reach commercial scale more rapidly through quantum modeling.
Quantum-age security standards must be developed now
However, Kaku emphasized that, like every technological revolution, this one also carries risks. He warned that once quantum computers reach the capacity to break existing encryption standards, they could pose serious threats to financial systems, data security, and national defense. For this reason, he stressed that quantum-age security standards must be developed now. Offering a historical perspective, Kaku recalled the role of Alan Turing as a pioneer of computer science and artificial intelligence, noting that Turing changed the course of World War II by breaking the Enigma code, yet lived a tragic life. With this historical example, Kaku reinforced the importance of the transition from the digital age to the quantum age. Kaku underlined that quantum computers would not only bring economic or technological benefits but also give scientists the chance to solve the most fundamental laws of the universe. He emphasized that complex theories like string theory can be numerically solved through quantum computers, thereby opening the door to a future in which nature could be explained with “a single equation.”
String Theory – the cosmic symphony of the universe
Focusing on one of the boldest pursuits of theoretical physics, which is the search for a “theory of everything”, Kaku explained that Einstein spent the last thirty years of his life trying to unify quantum mechanics and gravity, and that this effort has gained new momentum today through string theory. He noted that string theory proposes that the most fundamental components of matter are not point-like particles, but vibrating strings. “The mass, charge, and other properties of each particle depend on the vibration mode of the string,” Kaku stated. Describing this vision with the metaphor of “the universe vibrating like a musical instrument,” Kaku said: “Different particles are different notes in the cosmic symphony of nature. This theory encompasses not only particle physics but also gravity. Its mathematical structure, which predicts higher dimensions, makes it possible to unify gravity with the other fundamental forces. This strengthens the idea that the laws of nature can be combined in a single formula.”
Where does String Theory’s superiority come from?
Addressing alternative theories, Kaku noted that approaches such as loop quantum gravity aim to quantize gravity but cannot fully incorporate the Standard Model of particle physics. He stressed that the superiority of string theory lies in its ability to address both quantum mechanics and relativity within the same framework.
Kaku also acknowledged the shortcomings of the theory, admitting that the failure to observe supersymmetry particles remains a major challenge. However, he added that dark matter research and experiments like the Large Hadron Collider provide opportunities to detect these particles, which could experimentally validate the theory.
Highlighting the role of quantum computers, Kaku remarked: “The equations of string theory are so complex that classical computers are inadequate to solve them. Thanks to quantum computers, these equations can be solved numerically and compared with observational data.”
Kaku concluded by suggesting that this might fulfill Einstein’s dream of “reading the mind of God.”