
Testing quantum observers on quantum computers with Dr Will Zeng
From Quantum Foundations Podcast by Maria Violaris
January 22, 2026 · 1h 18m · Episode 11
About this episode
Dr Will Zeng discusses the implications of placing an observer in superposition on quantum computers and the potential to redefine our understanding of physical reality.
What if you could put an observer in superposition on a quantum computer? Dr Will Zeng suggests that this experiment could stretch standard quantum theory so far that it might break — and radically update our understanding of physical reality. However, today's proof-of-principle experiments on quantum computers use single qubits to model observers. Zeng explains how a new programme of research aims to quantify "observer-ness" and conduct experiments with increasingly realistic observers, pushing quantum computers to the limits until they can run actual quantum Artificial General Intelligence experiments.
People in this episode
Host: Maria Violaris
Guest: Dr Will Zeng
Topics covered
- quantum computing
- quantum theory
- observers
- Artificial General Intelligence
- superposition
- physical reality
Keywords
- quantum observers
- superposition
- quantum computers
- observer-ness
- quantum theory
- Artificial General Intelligence
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: quantum computers, quantum theory, Artificial General Intelligence
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