US Global Quantum Leadership Hinges on Near-Term Use of Quantum Computing Technologies

COMMENTARY

The National Quantum Initiative, which must be reauthorized this year, is critical legislation before Congress that will establish a path forward for U.S. quantum programs. This is a watershed moment, as near-term quantum computing is emerging as an important solution to help organizations and the public sector identify and solve immediate, real-world optimization challenges like supply chain management, national security, emergency response, electric grid resilience and transportation networks.

In the past the U.S. has led in technological advancements, but today, we are lagging behind other countries in procurement and use of emerging technologies, including quantum computing. To date, we have not harnessed the power of all quantum technologies, which can be remedied as Congress reauthorizes the NQI, which will expire in September 2023.

Now is the optimal time for Congress to evaluate growth in the quantum industry, incorporate new technological advancements, identify the gaps in U.S. engagement and expand our focus to include building and accelerating applications using today’s near-term quantum technology. 

First authorized in 2018, the NQI was enacted to explore and promote quantum information science. However, the existing U.S. quantum programs have not incorporated the different types of quantum technologies (annealing and gate-model quantum computing systems) or been nimble enough to integrate significant industry advancements, such as cloud access and quantum-hybrid algorithm developments, which have expanded the ability to tackle challenging problems through providing the best computational power from both quantum and classical systems. 

Cloud access has broken down barriers, allowing researchers, governments and businesses of all sizes to solve problems in ways that were not possible a few years ago. For example, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a quantum-hybrid application was developed to optimize nurse scheduling by guaranteeing the appropriate staff was on call, while considering variables such as shift parameters and personnel specialties. Moreover, since NQI enactment, new quantum hardware advancements have led to larger systems, and recent research has demonstrated quantum speed-up for certain optimization problems. To date, these advancements have not been fully integrated into existing programs.

To be effective, Congress must ensure the NQI is inclusive of all viable quantum computing technologies and programs must be agile to incorporate new advancements. This mindset shift would align U.S. quantum programs with allies such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan and the European Union. Many are already heavily investing in quantum and have announced quantum strategies that include near-term application development. For example, the U.K.’s 10-year quantum strategy recommends creating programs and building infrastructure to support the convergence of quantum computing, high performance computing, AI and cloud computing in less than 18 months, and explicitly includes the wide variety of quantum technologies. In Australia, the government is building quantum computing applications to optimize its transportation network. Countries of concern, such as China, have committed to providing $15.3 billion in public funds toward quantum.

Inaction on the NQI will cause the U.S. to fall further behind our international counterparts and delay our country’s ability to utilize today’s technology, which is already fueling digital transformation across public and private sectors. For example, quantum-hybrid applications have been used to optimize port operations at Pier 300 at the Port of Los Angeles and have been developed to reduce carbon emissions nearly 60% during waste collection in Tokyo, Japan. This technology has also demonstrated its potential in national security scenarios. A threat analysis quantum-hybrid application reviewed 67 million potential responses to a hypothetical attack and provided a solution in approximately 13 seconds. Quantum-hybrid applications could also boost domestic manufacturing capabilities by expediting construction of chip fabrication centers being built with CHIPS Act funding. Quantum applications could benefit a diverse set of public sector problems, but the U.S. programs have yet to seize these opportunities.

Some in Congress are recognizing the urgency to act, including near-term application development and the variety of quantum computing technologies in U.S. appropriations legislation and other bipartisan legislative initiatives such as:  

• The Quantum Sandbox for Near-Term Applications Act, which creates a “quantum sandbox,” an environment where innovators can develop and test demonstrations, proof of concepts and pilot applications of near-term quantum technology in less than 24 months.
• A quantum pilot program directing the Department of Defense to work with a federally funded research and development center and industry to develop near-term applications for defense purposes was including into the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act.
• The Wildfire Tech Demonstration, Evaluation, Modernization, and Optimization Act creates a test bed for emergency technologies including quantum computing to be used to address wildfires.

In addition, current funding levels for the Quantum User Expansion for Science and Technology program,included inthe FY24 House Energy and Water Appropriations Act, are inadequate. Incorporating the QUEST program into the NQI and funding it at sufficient levels will help ensure greater cloud access to commercially available quantum computing systems, and building the quantum workforce that will be necessary to develop quantum applications. 

During the first five years of the NQI, the U.S. government has focused on basic research and has not fully integrated new industry advancements. A strong U.S. quantum program requires a balanced policy that includes near-term application development, long-term hardware advancements and engagement with all quantum computing systems. The NQI should be reauthorized and expanded as it will decide the next crucial phase for the U.S. focus on quantum. Utilizing the capabilities of today’s technology inclusively of annealing and gate-model systems to solve real-world problems is critical to building a domestic quantum industry, fueling a quantum-ready workforce, maintaining global leadership and ensuring the public sector, businesses and consumers realize the benefits of this game-changing emerging technology.

Dr. Alan Baratz was named CEO of D-Wave in 2020. Prior to that, he was executive vice president of R&D and chief product officer of D-Wave. Baratz has served in several CEO and senior executive positions, including as the first president of JavaSoft at Sun Microsystems. D-Wave is publicly traded on the NYSE (QBTS). He can be reached at D-Wave.