Quantum Computing in the Arts and Humanities: An Introduction to Core Concepts, Theory and Applications

Computers are essential for the functioning of our society. Despite the incredible power of existing computers, computing technology is progressing beyond today's conventional models. Quantum Computing (QC) is surfacing as a promising disruptive technology. QC is built on the principles of quantum mechanics. QC can run algorithms that are not trivial to run on digital computers. QC systems are being developed for the discovery of new materials and drugs and improved methods for encoding information for secure communication over the Internet. Unprecedented new uses for this technology are bound to emerge from ongoing research.

The development of conventional digital computing technology for the arts and humanities has been progressing in tandem with the evolution of computers since the 1950s. Today, computers are absolutely essential for the arts and humanities. Therefore, future developments in QC are most likely to impact on the way in which artists will create and perform, and how research in the humanities will be conducted.

This book presents a comprehensive collection of chapters by pioneers of emerging interdisciplinary research at the crossroads of quantum computing, and the arts and humanities, from philosophy and social sciences to visual arts and music.

Prof. Eduardo Reck Miranda is a composer and a professor in Computer Music at Plymouth University, UK, where he is a director of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research (ICCMR). His previous publications include the Springer titles Handbook of Artificial Intelligence for Music, Guide to Unconventional Computing for Music, Guide to Brain-Computer Music Interfacing and Guide to Computing for Expressive Music Performance.

電腦對於我們社會的運作至關重要。儘管現有的電腦具有令人難以置信的強大功能，但計算技術正在超越當今的傳統模型。量子計算（QC）作為一項有前途的顛覆性技術浮出水面。QC建立在量子力學的原理之上。QC能夠運行在數字電腦上不容易運行的算法。QC系統正在開發中，用於發現新材料和藥物，以及改進在互聯網上進行安全通信的信息編碼方法。從持續進行的研究中，這項技術將產生前所未有的新用途。

自1950年代以來，傳統數字計算技術在藝術和人文領域的發展與電腦的演進同步進行。如今，電腦對於藝術和人文領域來說是絕對必要的。因此，QC未來的發展很可能會影響藝術家創作和表演的方式，以及人文領域的研究方法。

本書匯集了量子計算、藝術和人文領域交叉學科研究的先驅者們撰寫的全面章節。涵蓋的範圍從哲學和社會科學到視覺藝術和音樂。

埃杜阿多·雷克·米蘭達教授是英國普利茅斯大學的作曲家和計算機音樂教授，他是該校計算機音樂研究跨學科中心（ICCMR）的主任。他之前出版的著作包括Springer出版社的《音樂人工智能手冊》、《非傳統計算音樂指南》、《腦-計算機音樂接口指南》和《表達性音樂演奏計算指南》。