Croatian-born Nobel laureate John Martinis visits homeland, confirms Tesla link

John Martinis, the Croatian-born Nobel laureate in physics, visited Croatia, drawing significant interest due to his heritage and groundbreaking work. He delivered lectures at the Zagreb School of Economics and Management's EUonAIR AI Summit and the Ruđer Bošković Institute. Martinis also met with Croatian ministers Gordan Grlić Radman and Radovan Fuchs.

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I am indeed distantly related to Nikola Tesla, on my mother's side, as her grandmother married one of Nikola Tesla's direct relatives long ago.

During an exclusive interview, Martinis revealed a personal connection to Nikola Tesla, stating, "I am indeed distantly related to Nikola Tesla, on my mother's side, as her grandmother married one of Nikola Tesla's direct relatives long ago." He acknowledged the immense potential of quantum computing, comparing its significance to the commercialization of fusion energy. Such a computer, he explained, would profoundly alter many aspects of daily life, industry, and the internet, while also presenting inherent dangers.

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We don't think we've exaggerated because the quantum computer is emerging as a physical longing at least equal to that for the commercialization of fusion energy.

Martinis, a professor at the University of California, shared details about his family's Croatian roots. He identified as perhaps two-and-a-half generations of Croatians in America, with his grandfather arriving in the U.S. after World War II. His father was born in Komiža, Croatia, and his mother's parents hailed from Tribunj. He addressed claims by Greek media that he was Greek, clarifying that his father was from Komiža, an island in the Adriatic Sea.

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When such a computer is built, it will change a huge number of things in our daily lives, as well as in industry, and even the internet itself.

Reflecting on his visits to Croatia, Martinis recalled his first trip in 1978. He noted the vast changes since then, particularly from the communist era under Tito. He found modern Croatia to be a very comfortable and European country, enjoying the food and conversations with locals. The physicist expressed his pleasure at the warm reception and engaging discussions during his visit.

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I don't know where they got that from, I contacted them immediately.