Quantum computers were first imagined in theory in the 1990's. We know the principles for how they would work, and what they potentially could do. But it turns out to be technically extremely hard to build any usable quantum computer in reality. Nowadays it is a very hot topic in research, where a lot of money is invested in trying to build working prototypes.
The best-known "killer app" for a quantum computer is that it in theory could break the commonly used RSA encryption algorithm. This is the algorithm behind most "https" sites in the world today.
Daniel will describe the basics of what a quantum computer is, how it really works, and how it would operate to break RSA encryption.
Daniel will also mention the current state of quantum computer technology - should we be worried or not?