Session: An Introduction to Quantum Computing: How This Emerging Technology May Be the Key to Optimizing FEMA Relief Effects and Emergency Response
Every year seems to bring more global unrest, terrorist activity, and catastrophic weather. We are currently experiencing a true humanitarian disaster as scores of Ukrainians are forced to leave their homes and find amnesty in other nations. It is absolutely essential that the U.S. government have the most powerful tools at its disposal to assist refugees from Ukraine and elsewhere, as well as the victims of hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, and acts of terrorism on U.S. soil.
In this session, I will explain how a powerful new emerging technology called quantum computing may soon be able to help government agencies coordinate relief efforts, effectively plan the transportation of refugees, and optimize the logistics, shipping and delivery of emergency supplies.
Quantum computers solve problems differently than classical computers. Instead of bits, they use ‘qubits’ that can be both ‘on’ and ‘off’ at the same time -- a state called ‘superposition.’ By leveraging superposition and other properties of quantum states such as entanglement and interference, they can simulate real-world scenarios in a multi-dimensional space. This enables them to perform computations with greater data capacity, increased accuracy of results, and the promise of faster processing speeds.
Where classical computing provides only one ‘best’ answer, quantum computers yield multiple diverse results. For FEMA and rescue organizations, this means the ability to tackle their most complex problems by defining the impact among different scenarios and choosing the solution best optimized for each situation.
I will discuss such potential use cases as creating optimized routes and schedules for emergency response and refugee transportation, helping FEMA to efficiently allocate emergency resources to affected communities in the wake of a natural disaster, and predicting with greater certainty where a disaster will occur to pre-empt and mitigate the consequences.
My goal is to help attendees understand that quantum computing’s ability to solve complex problems with better results in a fraction of the time and with a fraction of the resources provides immense opportunities to help those in need.
Bio
Rebel Brown is a recognized technology strategist with over 30 years of global experience working with leading edge innovators, investors and owners. She is a go-to-market and product guru whose strategies have led to dramatic and successful results for over 75 startups and 200 high-tech and complex B2B technology companies globally.
Currently, Rebel is Vice President of Strategy for Quantum Computing Inc. (QCI), the leading provider of ready-to-run quantum software for complex computations. She is responsible for overarching go-to-market and product strategy, as well as product marketing, investor and media relations, and marketing operations. In March 2021, Rebel closed her independent consulting business of 30 years after working for the QCI team as a consultant, because the opportunity to be involved at the outset in quantum computing, along with the company’s unique and compelling vision, were too attractive to say no.