Ewin Tang is a computer scientist who looked at whether or not certain quantum algorithms could be performed equivalently using classical algorithms.
At a young age, she was able to match quantum algorithms using only classical ones, and in some cases found classical algorithms that outperformed their quantum counterparts.
The study is called dequantizing quantum algorithms, and it is becoming a growing area of study as researchers look at whether tasks that quantum computers are good at can be performed equivalently using classical computers.
There are a number of promising applications to doing so, such as in the field of AI.
Tang describes the process of discovery as a motivation in and of itself, and argues that the best way to enable progress is to allow scientists to follow their own curiosities and instincts.
