What Executives Need to Know About Quantum Computing and AI - with Daniel Lidar of the University of Southern California and Izhar Medalsy of Quantum Elements Inc.

What Executives Need to Know About Quantum Computing and AI - with Daniel Lidar of the University of Southern California and Izhar Medalsy of Quantum Elements Inc.

Author: Daniel Faggella January 23, 2026 Duration: 37:03

Today's guests are Daniel Lidar, Holder of the Viterbi Professorship of Engineering at USC, Director of the USC Center for Quantum Information Science & Technology, co-founder and CSO of Quantum Elements, Inc., and Izhar Medalsy, Co-founder and CEO of Quantum Elements. Quantum Elements develops tools to reduce noise in quantum computers for scalable performance. Daniel and Izhar join Emerj Editorial Director Matthew DeMello to explore why quantum computing is entering enterprise strategy now, explaining qubits, quantum simulation, and practical applications beyond hype. Daniel and Izhar also share practical takeaways like quantum simulation for accurate materials and drug design, optimization for financial portfolios, post-quantum encryption for data centers, and assessing business impact by identifying problems quantum solves today. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/expert2 for more information and to be a potential future guest on the 'AI in Business' podcast!


Hosted by Daniel Faggella, The AI in Business Podcast cuts through the technical jargon to focus on what matters for leadership. This is a conversation for executives and decision-makers who know artificial intelligence is a strategic imperative but need clarity on how to actually integrate it. The focus is squarely on identifying real-world opportunities, ensuring AI projects align with broader business goals, and ultimately demonstrating a tangible return on investment. Rather than theory, each episode delivers grounded insights through interviews conducted by Emerj's research team with top AI practitioners. Their guests come directly from the trenches of major Fortune 2000 companies and pioneering unicorn startups, sharing firsthand accounts of what works. You'll hear specific use-cases, emerging trends, and the often-overlooked best practices that separate successful adoption from costly missteps. This podcast provides a direct line to the actionable knowledge needed to make informed, confident decisions about where and how to apply AI in your organization. It’s an ongoing resource for any leader looking to move beyond the hype and translate capability into concrete business advantage.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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