In popular culture, quantum is a descriptive term often added to various technical topics and projects to make them sound cool. But what is quantum mechanics, really, and how do we know whether quantum technologies will transform computing, communications, sensing, and a host of other fields? To find answers, join us for a new episode of the Voices from DARPA podcast series, where we hear from Dr. Joe Altepeter, a quantum physicist in DARPA’s Defense Sciences Office. Altepeter helps clarify what for most of us is a complicated subject, providing a basic understanding of quantum and describing his two DARPA programs focused on quantum computing. The first program, called Quantum Benchmarking, aims to estimate the long-term utility of quantum computers by creating new benchmarks, or yardsticks, that quantitatively measure how useful a quantum computer would be at solving problems we care about. The second related program, Underexplored Systems for Utility-Scale Quantum Computing (US2QC), seeks to determine if an underexplored approach to quantum computing is capable of achieving utility-scale operation (i.e., its computational value exceeds its cost) much faster than conventional predictions.Buckle up and tune in for a fast-paced tutorial from DARPA’s quantum mechanic!·  Dr. Joe Altepeter (https://www.darpa.mil/staff/dr-joe-altepeter)·  Quantum Benchmarking (https://www.darpa.mil/program/quantum-benchmarking)·  Underexplored Systems for Utility-Scale Quantum Computing (US2QC) (https://www.darpa.mil/program/underexplored-systems-for-utility-scale-quantum-computing)