Sandbox AQ's CEO and founder, Jack Hidary, knows a thing or two about applying quantum principles. In fact, he wrote a book on it: Quantum Computing: An Applied Approach. Additionally, after six years of working within Alphabet, Inc. (the parent company of Google), his research group has finally been spun out as a separate entity. While significantly useful, quantum computers may still be a few years away, Sandbox AQ is looking to solve current problems using artificial intelligence and quantum physics, without waiting for quantum computers. "What we found is that we can make use of AI and quantum technology today, that can be run today, that can work today, for businesses and for large enterprises," said Hidary.

This is the latest installment in a regular series of conversations with William McDonough (@billmcdonough), designer, architect, author and entrepreneur. Joel Makower: Tell me about the innovation future roundtable you recently convened. Bill McDonough: I have been working with companies that are looking at the future of mobility in India, and designing factories and other things for them. The chairman said he would like to connect to some of the advanced thinking across many sectors and integrate that with some conversations that he could participate in. The first person I thought of for that was Jack Hidary.