Robots That Play Music By Ear & Other Highlights from SC24
The Supercomputing (SC24) conference in Atlanta brought together some of the brightest minds in high-performance computing (HPC) to discuss some of the biggest challenges facing our planet.
After spending four days among the roughly 17,000, highly enthusiastic technologists gathered here, three highlights stand out in my mind.
- Human-Robot Teaming: Georgia Tech’s Robot Band
Georgia Tech stole the show on opening night in the exhibit hall with a band performance that featured students playing instruments alongside a robot that plays the xylophone “by ear.” What struck me about the performance was not only the sheer joy it elicited, but the teaming of humans and robots – a topic that is one of many at the forefront of engineering research in academia today.
As the sound of Mr. Brightside (and several other hit songs) rung out from the Georgia Tech booth, crowds gathered with smartphones held high to get footage the delightful spectacle.
The robot, which is shaped like an arm, “listens” to music and plays along in real time.
“We have this robot that was put together by one of our school of music faculty – and it’s amazing because it can listen to what it’s hearing and then can play music that accompanies whatever it’s listening to,” said Professor David Sherrill of Georgia Tech. “It’s using AI techniques to do this.”
- Quantum Computing’s Potential to Solve the ‘Viscosity of the Universe’
During the opening night panel, experts took center stage to discuss the ability of HPC to revolutionize industries and shape the future, delving into four arenas where HPC has made transformative impacts: scientific discovery, engineering for societal benefit, arts and entertainment, and workforce development.
Panelists showcased how HPC underpins advancements in sustainable aviation, realistic visual effects in films, astrophysics simulations, and quantum computing – emphasizing its capacity to manage complex, multi-faceted problems.
Panelist Silvia Sorzetti of Fermilab – an expert in quantum computing – likened the field to an artist’s toolkit, where instead of paintbrushes, scientists wield qubits to explore the fabric of reality. Unlike classical computing, quantum computers excel at simulating quantum phenomena — problems governed by the principles of quantum mechanics. Hybrid quantum computation, which is a synergy between classical and quantum computing, represents the future of the field, Silvia said.
Quantum computing helps to better understand nature and is particularly well-suited to solving molecular energy calculations, particle interactions, and quantum field simulations, Silvia explained. And liquid can be considered a quantum field.
“Now, something very cool happened and it was discovered by the Nobel laureate, that the liquids, the viscosity of the liquids have a certain minimum,” Silvia said. “So, you cannot have any liquid that has lower viscosity than some value. This value depends on the Planck constant. So this means that the liquids, which we can also call ‘fields,’ are quantized, just like the energy. And so now, if we put together the relativity and the quantum mechanics, we have what we call the quantum field theory.
“Now, why do we care? Because now the universe can also be described as a liquid, basically.”
The evolution of the universe, described through quantum mechanics and relativity, is an area where quantum computing shines, Silvia noted. Simulating the viscosity of the universe’s "liquid-like" state post-Big Bang could unlock answers to fundamental questions about cosmic evolution.
Quantum computing also has implications for national security and secure communitations because it offers unparalleled security through quantum channels, ensuring that intercepted data becomes meaningless without proper quantum keys, Silvia said. Quantum-enhanced predictive models could improve everything from weather forecasting to financial risk analysis, merging quantum simulations with classical HPC.
- NASA: Uncovering the Secrets of the Universe
Dr. Nicola Fox, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, delivered a the SC24 keynote, highlighting the agency’s science mission, technological advancements, and inspiring exploration. With a focus on NASA’s commitment to explore the unknown and innovate for humanity, Dr. Fox emphasized three core themes: protecting life on Earth, searching for life elsewhere, and uncovering the universe's secrets.
She outlined the pivotal role of supercomputing in NASA's achievements, including processing vast datasets and advancing AI to accelerate scientific discovery. Dr. Fox cited missions like Voyager 1 and 2, which expanded our knowledge of the solar system and continue to explore interstellar space. She celebrated the integration of AI and machine learning, showcased by the PRISM geospatial model and other large-scale AI initiatives aimed at analyzing Earth's atmosphere, monitoring wildfires, and predicting weather patterns.
Highlighting the International Space Station’s (ISS) unique research platform, Dr. Fox described groundbreaking advancements in medicine, clean water technology, and agriculture, all driven by experiments in microgravity. These contributions extend beyond space, improving life on Earth and aiding future missions, including NASA’s Moon-to-Mars objectives under the Artemis program.
Dr. Fox also celebrated the James Webb Space Telescope’s (JWST) unprecedented capability to peer into the universe’s earliest moments. Dr. Fox shared awe-inspiring images, such as JWST’s first deep-field image and simulations of black holes, illustrating how supercomputing enables humanity to “visit” unreachable phenomena.
Dr. Fox explored NASA’s heliophysics and planetary science efforts, including Parker Solar Probe’s close encounters with the Sun and missions like Dragonfly, designed to explore Saturn's moon Titan. She also touched on Europa Clipper, which seeks signs of life on Jupiter’s moon Europa.
Closing with Carl Sagan’s “Pale Blue Dot,” Dr. Fox underscored NASA’s role in inspiring unity, curiosity, and hope. She invited the audience to collaborate with NASA, highlighting how their contributions drive groundbreaking discoveries and technological innovation that benefit all humanity.
The Supercomputing (SC24) conference in Atlanta brought together some of the brightest minds in high-performance computing (HPC) to discuss some of the biggest challenges facing our planet.
After spending four days among the roughly 17,000, highly enthusiastic technologists gathered here, three highlights stand out in my mind.
- Human-Robot Teaming: Georgia Tech’s Robot Band
Georgia Tech stole the show on opening night in the exhibit hall with a band performance that featured students playing instruments alongside a robot that plays the xylophone “by ear.” What struck me about the performance was not only the sheer joy it elicited, but the teaming of humans and robots – a topic that is one of many at the forefront of engineering research in academia today.
As the sound of Mr. Brightside (and several other hit songs) rung out from the Georgia Tech booth, crowds gathered with smartphones held high to get footage the delightful spectacle.
The robot, which is shaped like an arm, “listens” to music and plays along in real time.
“We have this robot that was put together by one of our school of music faculty – and it’s amazing because it can listen to what it’s hearing and then can play music that accompanies whatever it’s listening to,” said Professor David Sherrill of Georgia Tech. “It’s using AI techniques to do this.”
- Quantum Computing’s Potential to Solve the ‘Viscosity of the Universe’
During the opening night panel, experts took center stage to discuss the ability of HPC to revolutionize industries and shape the future, delving into four arenas where HPC has made transformative impacts: scientific discovery, engineering for societal benefit, arts and entertainment, and workforce development.
Panelists showcased how HPC underpins advancements in sustainable aviation, realistic visual effects in films, astrophysics simulations, and quantum computing – emphasizing its capacity to manage complex, multi-faceted problems.
Panelist Silvia Sorzetti of Fermilab – an expert in quantum computing – likened the field to an artist’s toolkit, where instead of paintbrushes, scientists wield qubits to explore the fabric of reality. Unlike classical computing, quantum computers excel at simulating quantum phenomena — problems governed by the principles of quantum mechanics. Hybrid quantum computation, which is a synergy between classical and quantum computing, represents the future of the field, Silvia said.
Quantum computing helps to better understand nature and is particularly well-suited to solving molecular energy calculations, particle interactions, and quantum field simulations, Silvia explained. And liquid can be considered a quantum field.
“Now, something very cool happened and it was discovered by the Nobel laureate, that the liquids, the viscosity of the liquids have a certain minimum,” Silvia said. “So, you cannot have any liquid that has lower viscosity than some value. This value depends on the Planck constant. So this means that the liquids, which we can also call ‘fields,’ are quantized, just like the energy. And so now, if we put together the relativity and the quantum mechanics, we have what we call the quantum field theory.
“Now, why do we care? Because now the universe can also be described as a liquid, basically.”
The evolution of the universe, described through quantum mechanics and relativity, is an area where quantum computing shines, Silvia noted. Simulating the viscosity of the universe’s "liquid-like" state post-Big Bang could unlock answers to fundamental questions about cosmic evolution.
Quantum computing also has implications for national security and secure communitations because it offers unparalleled security through quantum channels, ensuring that intercepted data becomes meaningless without proper quantum keys, Silvia said. Quantum-enhanced predictive models could improve everything from weather forecasting to financial risk analysis, merging quantum simulations with classical HPC.
- NASA: Uncovering the Secrets of the Universe
Dr. Nicola Fox, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, delivered a the SC24 keynote, highlighting the agency’s science mission, technological advancements, and inspiring exploration. With a focus on NASA’s commitment to explore the unknown and innovate for humanity, Dr. Fox emphasized three core themes: protecting life on Earth, searching for life elsewhere, and uncovering the universe's secrets.
She outlined the pivotal role of supercomputing in NASA's achievements, including processing vast datasets and advancing AI to accelerate scientific discovery. Dr. Fox cited missions like Voyager 1 and 2, which expanded our knowledge of the solar system and continue to explore interstellar space. She celebrated the integration of AI and machine learning, showcased by the PRISM geospatial model and other large-scale AI initiatives aimed at analyzing Earth's atmosphere, monitoring wildfires, and predicting weather patterns.
Highlighting the International Space Station’s (ISS) unique research platform, Dr. Fox described groundbreaking advancements in medicine, clean water technology, and agriculture, all driven by experiments in microgravity. These contributions extend beyond space, improving life on Earth and aiding future missions, including NASA’s Moon-to-Mars objectives under the Artemis program.
Dr. Fox also celebrated the James Webb Space Telescope’s (JWST) unprecedented capability to peer into the universe’s earliest moments. Dr. Fox shared awe-inspiring images, such as JWST’s first deep-field image and simulations of black holes, illustrating how supercomputing enables humanity to “visit” unreachable phenomena.
Dr. Fox explored NASA’s heliophysics and planetary science efforts, including Parker Solar Probe’s close encounters with the Sun and missions like Dragonfly, designed to explore Saturn's moon Titan. She also touched on Europa Clipper, which seeks signs of life on Jupiter’s moon Europa.
Closing with Carl Sagan’s “Pale Blue Dot,” Dr. Fox underscored NASA’s role in inspiring unity, curiosity, and hope. She invited the audience to collaborate with NASA, highlighting how their contributions drive groundbreaking discoveries and technological innovation that benefit all humanity.
