What Haven’t We Asked Quantum Computers to Do? Jeff Henshaw Senior VP, Quantum Compute Products at IonQ
When people talk about quantum computing, the focus is usually on a small set of well-known applications. But an equally interesting question is whether we’re asking the right questions in the first place. What kinds of problems might benefit from quantum approaches that we simply haven’t recognized yet?
This talk offers a brief introduction to the ideas behind quantum computing and a snapshot of where the field stands today. It then explores a broader challenge: discovering new applications by bringing together people who approach problems from very different perspectives. Researchers in fields ranging from chemistry and biology to public policy, history, literature, and religious studies may see opportunities that physicists and computer scientists overlook.
Not every problem will be a good fit for quantum computing. But expanding the conversation beyond the traditional quantum community may be one of the best ways to discover what these technologies will ultimately be useful for.
All disciplines welcome…
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Student Union Building (HUB). Campus room: 250. Accessibility Contact: casevents@uw.edu. Event Types: Lectures/Seminars. Target Audience: Open to all UW faculty, students, and staff.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Linguistics Colloquium: Spooky Halloween Event!
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Bagley Hall (BAG). Campus room: 260. Accessibility Contact: linguw@uw.edu. Event Types: Special Events. Student Activities.
Friday, October 30, 2026, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM.
Linguistics Colloquium: Graduate Funding Information Service (GFIS) Presentation
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Bagley Hall (BAG). Campus room: 260. Accessibility Contact: linguw@uw.edu. Event Types: Information Sessions.
Friday, November 6, 2026, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM.
Linguistics Faculty Meeting
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Guggenheim Hall (GUG). Campus room: GUG 415 L. Accessibility Contact: linguw@uw.edu. Event Types: Meetings.
Friday, November 13, 2026, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM.
Linguistics Colloquium: ASL Professor Lance Forshay
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Bagley Hall (BAG). Campus room: 260. Accessibility Contact: linguw@uw.edu. Event Types: Lectures/Seminars.
Friday, November 20, 2026, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM.
Linguistics Colloquium: Jamaal Muwwakkil from Anthropology
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Bagley Hall (BAG). Campus room: 260. Accessibility Contact: linguw@uw.edu. Event Types: Lectures/Seminars.
Friday, December 4, 2026, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM.
Linguistics Faculty Meeting
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Guggenheim Hall (GUG). Campus room: GUG 415 L. Accessibility Contact: linguw@uw.edu. Event Types: Meetings.
Friday, January 15, 2027, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM.