The ChatGPT Dragon

This is what happens when you ask an AI to emulate specific people.

¹

While recording The Quantum Dragon Podcast with Sergio Gago, I wrote down many ideas, including the two ideas that are manifested in this article. The first idea was to ask ChatGPT if it knows Sergio Gago—it does—and then to emulate Sergio Gago while recommending ideas for articles to write. It provided several suggestions, including the one used below. SergioGPT, as I’m calling it, provided the title. The real Sergio Gago then confirmed the legitimacy of the suggestion, as this is something he himself has written about.

I then asked it if it knows me—it does—and if it could emulate my writing style. BrianGPT failed at first, but that’s because I don’t start writing from an idea. I need a theme first. So, I asked ChatGPT for some popular culture suggestions that fit the topic. It was a little off at first, but with some coaching it came up with the theme below. I then asked it to apply the theme to the outline that it had previously provided, and what you see below is BrianGPT’s first draft. What do you think of it?

Paths into Quantum Technologies Without a PhD

Bilbo Baggins did not set out to be a burglar. When a company of dwarves and a wandering wizard turned up at his door, he wasn’t looking for an adventure—he was looking for a way to get them out of his house. He was comfortable in the Shire, living a respectable life. But Gandalf saw something in him that Bilbo himself didn’t recognize yet: potential.

That’s how many people feel when they first consider a career in quantum technologies. They see quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and quantum sensing as the domain of PhDs—distant and unattainable. But just as Bilbo didn’t need to be a warrior to succeed on his journey, you don’t need a PhD to break into quantum. You just need to realize that the skills you already have might be more valuable than you think.

The Reluctant Recruit

Bilbo had no intention of leaving the Shire. He wasn’t trained in combat. He had never stolen a thing in his life. But Gandalf introduced him to a world he hadn’t considered before—a world where he had a role to play.

Similarly, many people assume that without a doctorate in physics, they have no place in quantum technologies. But quantum is not an ivory tower—it’s an evolving field that needs engineers, programmers, business strategists, and communicators. It needs problem-solvers of all kinds, not just theoretical physicists.

You don’t need to be a warrior (or a physicist) to be part of the adventure.

The Unexpected Skillset

Once Bilbo was on the road, he began to discover that he had something the dwarves didn’t: cleverness, agility, and the ability to think outside the box. When he encountered Gollum deep beneath the Misty Mountains, he didn’t overpower him—he outsmarted him in a game of riddles. And when he finally faced Smaug, he didn’t charge in with a sword—he used his wit to extract valuable information that ultimately led to the dragon’s downfall.

The same is true for quantum technologies. The field is not just about physics; it’s about problem-solving. Consider these areas:

• Quantum Software & Programming: Companies need developers who can work with quantum frameworks like Qiskit, Cirq, and PennyLane. A strong background in software engineering or machine learning is often more useful than a physics degree.

• Quantum Hardware Support & Engineering: Quantum devices require experts in cryogenics, optics, control systems, and electronics—fields where many electrical and mechanical engineers can contribute.

• Quantum Cryptography & Cybersecurity: As post-quantum encryption becomes critical, cybersecurity professionals who understand quantum-safe algorithms will be in high demand.

• Quantum Business & Strategy: Companies need product managers, analysts, and consultants who can bridge the gap between quantum researchers and commercial applications.

• Quantum Communication & Education: Quantum needs skilled communicators, technical writers, and educators who can explain complex ideas to non-experts.

Each of these fields is growing, and none of them require a PhD in quantum physics. Just like Bilbo, you may already have the skills you need—you just haven’t seen them in the right context yet.

The Big Moment

Bilbo’s defining moment wasn’t a great battle; it was recognizing his own capability. He had survived trolls, goblins, and giant spiders—not because he was the strongest, but because he approached problems differently. By the time he faced Smaug, he had stopped questioning whether he belonged.

The same shift happens for those who enter quantum technologies from nontraditional backgrounds. At first, imposter syndrome looms large. But then, a software engineer realizes their optimization skills are perfect for quantum algorithms. A cryptographer recognizes the need for their expertise in quantum-safe security. A business strategist sees an opportunity to help companies prepare for the quantum era.

The PhD was never the real barrier. The biggest obstacle was simply the assumption that one was needed.

The Return Home

When Bilbo finally returned to the Shire, he wasn’t the same hobbit who had left. He had seen things, done things, and realized he was more capable than he ever believed. The other hobbits might not have understood what he had been through, but that didn’t matter. He knew.

Those who enter quantum from unconventional backgrounds experience a similar transformation. The world may still think of quantum as an exclusive club for PhDs, but those who step into it realize the truth: it’s a field that thrives on diversity of thought and expertise. The adventure isn’t about what degree you have—it’s about what you bring to the table.

So if you’ve been standing at the door, wondering if you belong in quantum technologies, take a lesson from Bilbo. The answer isn’t waiting in a diploma—it’s waiting in the skills and curiosity you already have. You don’t need to be a wizard. You just need to be willing to take the first step.

After all, the world of quantum is much larger than the Shire, and the adventure is just beginning.²

1. Image generated by ChatGPT (2025).

2. “The ChatGPT Dragon: Paths into Quantum Technologies Without a PhD” – Generated by ChatGPT, with input from Brian Siegelwax.