From Ancient Wisdom to Quantum Futures: How Knowing Ourselves Guides Us Through Continuous Technological Revolutions

Who am I?

Throughout human history, seismic technological shifts have reshaped our societies and our ways of thinking. When steam trains first rumbled onto the scene in the 19th century, people were astonished. Before that moment, travel for most meant relying on horses and carriages. The very concept of a train—hundreds of tons of iron hurtling along tracks at then-unimaginable speeds—was both dazzling and disorienting. Early railway pioneers like Alfred Escher in Switzerland saw an opportunity not only to move goods and people faster but also to develop entirely new infrastructures and ecosystems. Escher’s vision propelled the creation of new educational institutions (like the ETH Zurich), pioneering financial structures (such as former Credit Suisse), and countless other systems required to embrace this radical innovation.

In ancient times, long before railways and global finance, leaders who faced strategic dilemmas would journey to the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. They sought wisdom from oracles to navigate uncertain futures. But inscribed on the temple’s entrance was a simple, enduring maxim: “Know thyself.” This reminder underscored that no matter how novel or powerful the tools at one’s disposal, human insight and ethical integrity were the ultimate compasses for decisions that could shape entire civilizations.

Fast-forward to the present moment. We stand on the cusp of another transformative age—this time, heralded by quantum computers. Unlike classical machines, quantum computers leverage the bizarre rules of quantum physics to tackle tasks that are currently impossible to solve within any practical timeframe. The recent achievements are staggering:

• According to Hartmut Neven, Founder and Lead @ Google Quantum AI, their newly announced chip, Willow, can:

  1. Reduce errors exponentially as we scale up using more qubits — cracking a key challenge in quantum error correction that has persisted for almost 30 years.

  2. Perform computations in under five minutes that would take today’s fastest supercomputers 10 septillion (10^25) years, a span vastly exceeding the age of the Universe.

• Meanwhile, in Switzerland, the partnership between Quantum Basel and IonQ recently inaugurated the country’s first quantum computer for commercial use. (Source)
  

Potential applications of quantum computing could help solve some of humanity’s most pressing challenges

• optimizing energy consumption,

• refining climate models to predict weather more accurately,

• tailoring medical treatments at the individual level,

• and working out the logistics that could combat world hunger.

As Neven’s blog post suggests, these breakthroughs were previously “unimaginable” due to sheer complexity. Now, the unimaginable is almost within reach.

Yet, as with the introduction of the railways or the reverence of Delphi’s oracles, the emergence of quantum technology does not come with an instruction manual that dictates moral conduct. Instead, it challenges us to evolve as individuals and as societies. The greater our power to influence the world—instantly connecting with billions, leveraging AI for rapid insight, and soon harnessing quantum computing to solve problems at cosmic scales—the more crucial it becomes that we turn inward.

“Know thyself” resonates with new urgency. In a world where external capabilities expand almost daily, our inner compass becomes our most vital navigational tool. If we are to use these quantum breakthroughs ethically and sustainably, we must cultivate higher moral standards, compassionate leadership, and genuine empathy.

In essence, the more abilities the outside world offers, the more we must strengthen our internal frameworks of generosity, authenticity, creativity, mindfulness, and moral clarity.

If a traveler in the coffee shops of the future can wield the power once reserved for the rulers who visited Delphi, then we must assume the same responsibility for our choices. As coaches, leaders, entrepreneurs, and citizens, it is our duty not only to pursue what is possible but also to reflect on what is right and what is beneficial for the broader world.