Assistant Professor
College of Letters and Sciences | Department of Computer Sciences
Hometown: Mumbai, India
Swamit Tannu is an Assistant Professor in the Computer Sciences Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he leads the QUEST Research Group. His research interests include computer architecture and quantum computing. Swamit’s research focuses on designing efficient quantum computers that can solve commercial and scientific problems.
A speaker fee applies for Dr. Tannu’s talks.
Talks:
Quantum computing and the brave new world
Quantum computers can help solve some of the most complex problems in physics, chemistry, material design, optimization, and machine learning. A worldwide effort is underway to create larger, more reliable quantum computers, enhancing their ability to execute complex quantum algorithms. Despite this progress, practical quantum computing faces significant challenges, including the susceptibility of quantum bit (qubit) devices to environmental noise, producing inaccurate results. Furthermore, the limited availability of algorithms that can leverage quantum computers in the near term is a significant hurdle, as existing algorithms require millions of noise-free operations beyond the current quantum hardware capabilities. The gap between the quantum hardware necessary for solving real-world problems and today’s quantum computing technology is significant. We seek to bridge this gap by focusing on scalable and resilient quantum computer architectures through an integrated approach to hardware and software design and developing software tools to help users leverage existing and future quantum hardware.
The Dirty Secret of AI, Datacenters, and High Performance Computers: Embodied Carbon
The carbon footprint of computing systems spans their entire lifecycle, including manufacturing, operation, transportation, and recycling. Notably, the widespread use of billions of hand-held devices, such as smartphones and tablets, along with essential web services, plays a significant role in global warming. Currently, the combined carbon emissions from computing and networking devices contribute about 2% to global carbon emissions—a figure projected to double in the next decade. Given the escalating production and consumption of digital data globally, it’s crucial to deeply understand and address the emissions from personal devices, data centers, and networking infrastructure within the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector.