Jenna: Tonight, we celebrate excellence in the AAPI community.

Kristi Emma Gucci shares per journey and gives a steep he at the second annual parade coming to Central Park.

And best selling physicist Mi shiokou on the best selling technology that will change technology.

It is not K.I.A.

-- not AI.

"MetroFocus" starts right now.

>> This is "MetroFocus," with Rafael Pi Roman, Jack Ford, and Jenna Flanagan.

MetroFocus is made possible by Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III.

Filomen M. D'Agostino Foundation.

The Peter G. Peterson and Joan Ganz Cooney Fund.

Bernard and Denise Schwartz.

Barbara Hope Zuckerberg.

And by Jody and John Arnhold.

Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn foundation.

The Ambrose Monell Foundation.

Estate of Roland Karlen.

The JPB Foundation.

Jenna: Good evening.

I am Jenna Flanagan.

Will computers be humanity's savior or spell our ultimate downfall.

That has long been a question from science-fiction, but these days, there is a lot of technology -- anxiety around technology thanks to rapid advancements and people who say that technology is moving too fast and -- but a new book puts things in perspective.

It is called quantum superbly -- supremacy.

How the revolution will change everything.

He is a professor of physics who argues that advancements in technology could solve a lot of our biggest problems from climate change to food insecurity, to deadly diseases.

Joining me to talk about potential advances in quantum computing is Dr. Michio Koku.

Welcome.

Let's get right to it.

When you talk about advancements in computing technology helping and not hurting humanity, what does that look like?

There is a lot of anxiety on the part of a lot of people right now.

Dr. Koku: We are entering the fourth stage of competitor power.

In the first, we had police to do a calculation.

After World War II, we started to use electricity, binary, transistors.

Now, we are entering stage three, the quantum era, where we are no longer computing on levers, gears come was in police but Adams.

This is the ultimate computer.

Computers are millions of times more powerful.

This means in Silicon Valley, it may become a Rust Belt unless they get on the bandwagon and realize that we are computing on atoms rather than transistors.

That will affect the environment, energy, biology, Edison.

-- medicine.

Everything.

Jenna: Bear with me.

I know so precious little.

What I think most people understand about this third phase of computing technology comes from the movies, Hollywood.

There is a concern that there could be something akin to the Terminator films, where computers are becoming self-aware and they become more powerful than us.

Dr. Kaku: There is a debate among computer scientists, but most would say that as many decades away and we have many decades to prepare.

In the meantime, quantum computers will solve many of the problems facing us today.

We are talking about global warming, food supply, cancer, aging, diseases like COVID-19.

All will be attacked by quantum computers that compute on atoms rather than transistors.

We want to see a quantum computer, the flowers, the trees, the leaves.

These are quantum mechanical devices converting carbon dioxide into oxygen and chlorophyll in the food around us.

Mother nature is the strongest, most powerful quantum mechanic of all.

And we can duplicate that in the lab, which means ultimately using molecules to attack cancer and the aging process.

Things that have been done on traditional digital computers can be attacked by quantum computers.

Jenna: That was going to be my question, what does that look like?

But it sounds like this is something we have lived in the natural world but not in the man-made world.

It is not be feared?

Dr. Kaku: A digital computer computes on zeros and ones.

That is called binary.

That was the digital revolution.

Mother nature does not use digital.

Nature uses electronic waves.

This is called quantum theory, the theory of the atom.

This is how mother nature creates life, photosynthesis.

We are not trying to duplicate that in the laboratory.

We are behind mother nature but we are catching up.

We are using quantum theory in order to manipulate nature's quantum theory of diseases, food supply, whether -- all the things we know and love and sometimes have to deal with are going to be dealt with at the quantum level.

Jenna: For example, you talked about how nature works.

We just went through a global pandemic, where we saw the virus jump from person-to-person, country to country so fast we were racing to keep up with it.

How this quantum computing help warn us or prevent this from happening again?

Dr. Kaku: Two ways.

First, how did the COVID virus become so deadly?

You look at a picture and there are spikes on the surface of a virus.

These spikes are keys to the kingdom.

They get into our lungs and unlock the mechanism.

They enter into the body that way.

We know exactly what these keys look like and we can begin to use quantum physics now to disarm these keys.

In other words, that is how viruses infect us at the molecular level.

This goes way beyond a digital computer.

The digital computer cannot manipulate the spikes on the surface of the COVID virus.

This is where quantum physics comes in.

We use quantum physics in order to alter the quantum physics of diseases -- aging, cancer, Parkinson's.

All these diseases operate at the molecular level.

We are clueless using digital computer users -- computers with zeros and ones.

Quantum computers compute on atoms.

That is what the universe is made of an that is how we are going to attack cancer and Parkinson's -- diseases that are incurable with digital computers.

Jenna: You've brought up Silicon Valley and how potentially this kind of computing could make Silicon Valley a Rust Belt.

But one of the things that engineers in Silicon Valley when they were creating the apps did not necessarily take into consideration humanity for human experience, how people would use the technology.

Is it possible that with these advancements like being able to work on a cellular level, an atomic level, is there any possibility that humans who are complicated and flawed, could this be used in a nefarious way?

Dr. Kaku: These computers are so powerful that even the CIA is worried.

The crown jewels of the secrets of any nation are codes -- nuclear weapon secrets.

But quantum computers are so powerful they can break through these codes.

It is not surprising that the U.S. government is monitoring the developments of quantum computers very carefully.

There are ways to guard against it, but we have to start now thinking about these things.

The U.S. government recently said that yes, quantum computers today cannot penetrate our codes but that is coming.

We have to be prepared.

Quantum computers are so powerful they can go right through the barriers set up by digital computers.

And Silicon Valley is also jumping on the bandwagon.

We are the leaders in quantum computing technology -- the Chinese and the U.S. Those are the two countries way ahead of everyone in terms of quantum computers.

It is good we are investing in this technology today.

There are some downsides.

You are secrecy could be breached with quantum computers -- computer secrecy could be breached with quantum computers.

Jenna: You would understandably be a fan of science-fiction but a lot of science-fiction presents the technology you are going -- talking about -- going back to the Terminator, it is dark and ominous.

Is there something for all of us to be afraid of?

Or is this something that we can put in the effort and work to get out in front of and make sure it is used in a positive way?

Dr. Kaku: Any technology can be good or bad.

On the one side, it can fight disease and poverty.

On the other side, it could cut against people.

But we have time.

Quantum computers are just entering the marketplace.

Some are being sold commercially.

We have plenty of time to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances.

But right now, we see the tremendous plus signs.

Companies are jumping on the bandwagon.

Silicon valley is saying, yes, we, too, have to be in the ballgame.

They are all jumping in.

This is the next big thing on Wall Street.

People are investing in this technology now and then we can anticipate future problems before they emerge.

We will be one step ahead and not caught off guard.

Jenna: In your book, when you referred to quantum supremacy, it is about the supremacy of humans using technology, not technology ruling over humans?

Dr. Kaku: The term comes from the scientific establishment.

Quantum supremacy is the point where it can succeed the digital computer.

We have already created quantum computers that are millions of times more powerful than an ordinary digital computer for a certain task, not in general but for a certain task, quantum computers have already exceeded quantum supremacy.

Many years ago, quantum computers computed that 3 Times 5 is 15.

Many laughed.

That was years ago.

Today, quantum computers can outdo any computer for a certain task.

That is why Wall Street and Silicon Valley are jumping on the bandwagon.

This is hot on the stock market.

Jenna: For anyone who wants to learn more, the book is called quantum supremacy.

And Dr. Michio Kaku, thank you for helping to explain and perhaps demystify what could be coming in the future.

A celebration of Japanese heritage and culture is returning to Manhattan.

The second annual Japan parade, a festival of Japanese art, history, and tradition, will take over Central Park West.

It will be led by Kristi Yamaguchi.

The event comes after last year's inaugural Japan parade.

Kristi is here to tell us more about what to expect in her work and fashion -- passion about childhood literacy.

I would like to welcome Olympic figure skating champion and the founder of the always dream foundation Kristi Yamaguchi.

It is great to have you.

Kristi: Great to be here.

Jenna: First, the parade.

You will be grand marshal of the Japan parade.

So many parades take place in New York.

Tell us about this one.

Kristi: It is a huge honor to have been asked to be the grand Marshall.

This parade is only the second annual.

I am following in the footsteps of George Stacay, the first grand marshal.

It is a celebration of the friendship between Japan and New York City and Japanese culture.

There will be lots of festive things happening -- Japanese dances, music.

NZ popular anime -- and the popular anime live performance will happen.

And the parade, obviously.

It should be a fun day to celebrate friendship and connection and being Japanese-American.

We are looking for to it.

Jenna: Can you tell us about your own Japanese heritage and what your family has experienced in America?

Kristi: Interesting history.

I am a fourth generation Japanese-American.

During World War II, my -- both sides of my family were interned in the Debbie's American internment camps.

-- Japanese-American internment camps.

They lost everything, torn from their homes, lives uprooted for 3 to 5 years.

My mom was born in a Colorado internment camp.

For a while, her dad was in Europe fighting for the U.S.

So interesting times.

A lot of hardship and mistakes, maybe, and panic.

But it is amazing to see that one generation later, I was able to pursue the American dream and follow my dream of being in Lincoln.

-- being an Olympian.

Jenna: One of the things we try to touch on, especially when we talk about New York's Asian communities is how long the history is.

You are fourth generation.

That is an important part of the conversation and also the visibility.

New York City being New York -- a lot of people are familiar with Chinatown, but to celebrate the Japanese present in New York seems special.

Kristi: Absolutely.

There is a lot bigger Japanese presence in New York City.

I am even learning that.

That is why I am looking forward to seeing the community come out and show their support, their pride.

I think it is really important, especially the last few years have been tough for Asian Americans.

Here in the Bay Area, where I am located, and also New York.

So much anti-Asian hates.

Being able to celebrate an incredible culture and provide people with a way to learn more and discover and eventually appreciate and, hopefully, come to a point where it is light, there is nothing to be afraid of.

And where they are accepting and spreading the kindness.

Jenna: That is wonderful.

Speaking of learning more, tell us about your organization always dream.

Kristi: I founded that in 1996, over 25 years ago.

It has allies been -- always been about hopes and dreams of children.

About 11 years ago, we shifted the focus to early childhood literacy, believing that education is the foundation on which you build dreams.

We do that by making sure that families have access to high-quality books and not only providing those resources but also critical family engagement support.

We want the families to understand and realize how critical their role is in their child's learning about.

-- learning at home.

By empowering them, they are setting up their child to have success in school and later in life.

Every child deserves to have a book.

When you read that book to them and engage.

Jenna: Your journey as an Olympic gold medalist is fascinating.

I am wondering what you draw from that experience of loading yourself into this world-class athlete that you were then able to apply to the world of philanthropy?

Kristi: A lot and the inspiration came from realizing how fortunate I was.

My parents, my family, my community, my coaches -- I was so fortunate to have an incredible support system.

I think every child should have that same opportunity no matter what their dream -- a firefighter, a teacher, a doctor.

And to not only provide inspiration but resources to help them go after their dreams.

Leveling the playing field a bit and providing some equity so that all children have that opportunity.

Realizing and -- the hard work, focus, dedication that went into being an athlete, that is something that translated into post-Olympic life, how do I channel that and make a difference?

Jenna: Of course.

Speaking of equity for so many children, we are now seeing reports from educators that COVID created a devastating impact for so many kids in terms of their education loss.

Zoom might work for two adults doing an interview, but maybe not for kids learning in school.

I am wondering what your organization learned about who was impacted and how badly?

Kristi: It was tough.

Two years.

Our reading program targets four and five-year-olds, prekindergarten.

Because it is a home-based program, we did not have to make too many adjustments during the pandemic.

But there are lessons about how tough it is and how hard that role of parent-teacher at home is.

And the learning loss is real for sure.

We are still recovering.

Recovery will take another couple of years to have everyone catch up.

Jenna: What are some of the best practices that your organization suggests to help parents support him children in their literacy journey?

Kristi: First, it is helping them understand that that is a huge role that they can play and that we want them to play.

And, two, it is giving them the tools.

Our reading program has three different modules.

The first is called asking questions.

Sorry, picture walking.

All we do is ask them to sit with the child and look at a book, the pictures.

They do not necessarily have to read it, but point out what they see.

Ask what color this is or look at the tree or aren't those flowers pretty?

All that is vocabulary, great development.

Our second module is asking questions.

At that point, we are encouraging and helping families ask questions to their child when they are reading, like, "what do you think happens next?"

Four, - Or, "What what was your favorite part?"

The next is making connections between what they have read and the world around them.

It is all of those tips and strategies that we try to provide the families and the parents with to empower them.

Jenna: On that note, Kristi Yamaguchi, huge personal fan myself, but I am excited to hear about this work you have taken on and also looking forward to the Japan parade.

Thank you for joining us.

Kristi: Thank you for having me.

Hope to see everyone at the parade.

Jack: Thanks for tuning in.

You can take our program anywhere with MetroFocus: The podcast.

Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or simply ask your smart speaker to play MetroFocus: The podcast.

Also available on Metrofocus.

work or on the NPR one app.

>> MetroFocus is made possible by Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III.

Filomen M. D'Agostino Foundation.

The Peter G. Peterson and Joan Ganz Cooney Fund.

Bernard and Denise Schwartz.

Barbara Hope Zuckerberg.

And by Jody and John Arnhold.

Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn foundation.

The Ambrose Monell Foundation.

Estate of Roland Karlen.

The JPB Foundation.

>>