Justin Trudeau explains quantum computing like a boss (Video)

When a journalist implied that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau couldn’t explain quantum computing, the P.M. smiled and called his bluff.

The question was meant as a joke, but it became anything but as Trudeau launched into a seemingly cogent disquisition about the field and why it was important.

“What quantum states allow for is much more complex information to be encoded into a single bit,” he said. “A regular computer bit is either a one or a zero, on or off, a quantum state can be much more complex than that because, as we know, things can be both particle and wave at the same time and the uncertainty around quantum states allows us to encode more information into a much smaller computer. That’s what’s exciting about quantum computing.”

You got all that? Good.

In fact, the prime minister had not come to give a lecture but rather to announce a $50 million investment in the center.

“It’s extremely important to underline just how essential the work being done here is, not just for Canada but for the entire world,” Trudeau said, according to the CBC. “The investment we’re announcing today will strengthen the Perimeter Institute’s position as a world-leading research centre in helping advance Canada’s role as a leader in the global scientific community.”

The display of casual science know-how is only likely to bolster the image of Trudeau, who since taking office in November seems to glide seamlessly from one accomplishment to the next. Just yesterday, the prime minister introduced legislation that would legalize physician-assisted suicide and his cabinet, with 50% women, is arguably the most diverse in Canadian history.

Agencies/Canadajournal