University of Kwazulu-Natal

Investing In American Leadership In Quantum Technology The Next

Bonisiwe Shabane
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investing in american leadership in quantum technology the next

Apr 28, 2025 | Brad Smith - Vice Chair & President Artificial intelligence has captured the public imagination—and with good reason. It’s transforming how we work, create, learn, and navigate the world. But as AI carries the headlines, we also are on the cusp of another technological frontier: quantum computing. Long the domain of theory, quantum technologies are edging closer to reality, with profound implications for the world and American national competitiveness and security. As basic research and private sector advancements accelerate, a new global race is picking up steam.

Now is the time for the United States and its allies to double down and invest in their strengths to claim the quantum frontier. Quantum technologies harness the mysterious and powerful behaviors of particles at the atomic level, offering unprecedented capabilities in computing, communication, and sensing. A single quantum computer at scale could offer more computing power than collectively exists in all of today’s computers. And like AI, quantum computing not only has the potential to transform entire sectors of our economy, but tackle previous insurmountable problems, opening pathways in science, medicine, and technology. The possibilities for chemistry, drug discovery, materials, energy, and agriculture provide promise in solving some of the defining challenges of our time. Microsoft’s recent quantum breakthrough adds to the breadth and pace of quantum science innovation.

The development of our Majorana quantum chip leverages the unique properties of so-called “Majorana quasiparticles,” creating qubits that are more stable and less prone to decoherence. This approach promises to overcome one of the biggest challenges in quantum computing, enabling the construction of scalable and more efficient quantum systems. We believe it’s the type of advancement that can help accelerate the timeline for practical quantum applications. Countries around the world understand the criticality of quantum technology to their own economic competitiveness and security. During his confirmation hearing earlier this year, Michael Kratsios, the White House Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), rightfully emphasized that the shape of the global order “will be defined... China, in particular, seeks to challenge American leadership in quantum through significant investments in infrastructure, research, and workforce skilling.

The U.S. Chamber unveiled a robust set of policy recommendations aimed at enabling American leadership in quantum technology. WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce unveiled a robust set of policy recommendations aimed at enabling American leadership in quantum technology. The principles, which were released at the Chamber’s “Advancing America’s Quantum Leadership” event headlined by Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), outline seven key areas of action: commercialization, security against quantum-enabled cyberattacks, R&D, international cooperation, measured...

“Quantum technology, coupled with AI, can dramatically improve lives through better health, a higher standard of living, and enhanced national security. American leadership in quantum technology has the potential to drive job creation, stimulate economic growth, and enhance our global competitiveness,” said Jordan Crenshaw, senior vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Technology Engagement Center. “These principles establish the policy foundation necessary to facilitate the widespread adoption of quantum technologies, ultimately benefiting American families and businesses." “As quantum-enabled cyberattacks increasingly underscore the importance of strengthening America's cyber defenses, now more than ever, we must develop new capabilities to safeguard our digital and critical infrastructure,” said Christopher Roberti, senior vice president... Chamber of Commerce.

“By investing in and promoting U.S.–led R&D supported by new, secure NIST-recognized cryptography solutions, the United States can lead in quantum adoption. The U.S. must leverage public and private sector resources and capabilities to build a policy environment that bolsters national security, advances breakthroughs in science and medicine, and drives economic growth.” Artificial intelligence has captured the public imagination—and with good reason. It’s transforming how we work, create, learn, and navigate the world. But as AI carries the headlines, we also are on the cusp of another technological frontier: quantum computing.

Long the domain of theory, quantum technologies are edging closer to reality, with profound implications for the world and American national competitiveness and security. As basic research and private sector advancements accelerate, a new global race is picking up steam. Now is the time for the United States and its allies to double down and invest in their strengths to claim the quantum frontier. Quantum technologies harness the mysterious and powerful behaviors of particles at the atomic level, offering unprecedented capabilities in computing, communication, and sensing. A single quantum computer at scale could offer more computing power than collectively exists in all of today’s computers. And like AI, quantum computing not only has the potential to transform entire sectors of our economy, but tackle previous insurmountable problems, opening pathways in science, medicine, and technology.

The possibilities for chemistry, drug discovery, materials, energy, and agriculture provide promise in solving some of the defining challenges of our time. Microsoft’s recent quantum breakthrough adds to the breadth and pace of quantum science innovation. The development of our Majorana quantum chip leverages the unique properties of so-called “Majorana quasiparticles,” creating qubits that are more stable and less prone to decoherence. This approach promises to overcome one of the biggest challenges in quantum computing, enabling the construction of scalable and more efficient quantum systems. We believe it’s the type of advancement that can help accelerate the timeline for practical quantum applications. WASHINGTON, DC – February 5, 2025 – The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Commission on U.S.

Quantum Leadership has published its culminative report on how to best advance U.S. quantum innovation to address immediate security issues and ensure technological and commercial competitiveness. The report details how the United States can better support research, expand key partnerships with allies, and move toward commercial applications. The Commission’s overarching recommendation is that Congress should double funding for quantum research and development at the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, National Institute for Technology and Standards, Department of Defense, and other... "Exploiting physics to build new technology has been fundamental to American prosperity from Edison's electrical inventions to Silicon Valley's transistors,” said commission co-chair Dr. Will Zeng.

“The future will be built with quantum technologies, and we must work to secure our leadership. We need significant, targeted government policies that unleash and catalyze America's world leading private industries to win this race." Quantum technology is one of the key critical and emerging technologies that will shape the future of security, scientific advancement, and economic growth. The Commission’s call for a significant increase in spending comes alongside a recommendation to focus on harnessing the United States’ unique innovation economy and entrepreneurial landscape to guarantee technological advantage over foreign competitors. Over the past 12 months, the Commission—convened by the CSIS Strategic Technologies Program and comprised of members from academia, industry, and former government officials—has hosted meetings and held briefings on the best path forward... government should best support the quantum ecosystem.

Adm. Michael S. Rogers (ret.), commission co-chair, stated: “Quantum technology has the potential to drive groundbreaking innovation and strengthen resilience in both economic and strategic areas. This report addresses the key security concerns of what we could face if we fall behind in the quantum race, and most importantly the opportunities presented if we charge ahead.” Securing America’s quantum leadership is a national security imperative. This emerging technology field is expected to bring unprecedented industrial capabilities from agriculture to drug discovery, but also to break the encryption protocols safeguarding U.S.

digital infrastructure and to provide new advantages in the battlefield.1 The quantum technology competition with China is intensifying, and U.S. dominance is not guaranteed. Indeed, China leads in quantum communications and is inching close behind the United States on quantum computing and sensing.2 The Trump administration should seize the opportunity to consolidate the legacy of its landmark National Quantum Initiative, which has yielded years of leading research and bolstered the budding U.S. quantum industry.3 These recommendations provide an initial pathway for the administration to advance and protect America’s hard-earned quantum lead. Accelerate the transition of quantum sensors to address America’s Global Positioning System (GPS) vulnerabilities.

GPS’s vulnerability to disruptions, including adversaries’ rising jamming and spoofing attacks, poses a serious threat to U.S. military operations and critical infrastructure, as President Trump’s 2020 Executive Order 13905 highlighted.4 Quantum clocks and sensors can address this national security challenge by offering highly precise positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) capabilities without... These technologies recently have been demonstrated in aircraft, at sea, and in space, but their deployment requires greater integration, ruggedization, and reductions in size and cost.5 The Trump administration is positioned to field quantum sensors for the armed services within a few years. To ensure this, the administration should: Urge Congress to prioritize funding the Department of Defense's (DoD) Quantum Transition Acceleration program.

This collaboration between the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and the Defense Innovation Unit can rapidly advance mission-critical quantum sensing solutions for the armed services for approximately $70... IBM IBM.N will invest $150 billion in the U.S., including on facilities for quantum computer production, over the next five years, the latest American technology company to back the Trump administration's push for local... The company's announcement on Monday follows similar pledges by tech giants such as Nvidia NVDA.O and Apple AAPL.O, both of which have said they would spend about $500 billion each in the country over... Several analysts see the spending commitments as overtures to U.S. President Donald Trump, whose tariffs threaten to roil supply chains and raise costs for the technology industry. IBM, also a significant government contractor, said more than $30 billion of the total investment would be used to expand its U.S.

manufacturing of quantum computers and mainframes — systems used for handling vast data and critical applications. The company operates one of the world's largest fleet of quantum computing systems, which promise to offer performance thousands of times more powerful than traditional computers.

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Now is the time for the United States and its allies to double down and invest in their strengths to claim the quantum frontier. Quantum technologies harness the mysterious and powerful behaviors of particles at the atomic level, offering unprecedented capabilities in computing, communication, and sensing. A single quantum computer at scale could offer more computing power than collectively exists...

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The development of our Majorana quantum chip leverages the unique properties of so-called “Majorana quasiparticles,” creating qubits that are more stable and less prone to decoherence. This approach promises to overcome one of the biggest challenges in quantum computing, enabling the construction of scalable and more efficient quantum systems. We believe it’s the type of advancement that can help ...

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