While many different companies--giants to shiny new start-ups--are circling the quantum computing sector and sizing up potential opportunities, the U.S. government has been doing the same recently.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office earlier this week issued a 62-page report “Quantum Computing and Communications,” assessing the status and prospects for the fast-emerging sector, and eyeing where policy makers should--or might want to--become involved to help enable the billions of dollars of investment that could be required.
It’s not the first time the GAO has published a report on quantum computing. Almost three years ago, the GAO called out quantum computing, along with drones and lack of IoT security, as a technology area representing a “long-range” threat to U.S. national security. By 2020, the GAO was studying quantum in depth, and put out a report that balanced security concerns with the potential for the U.S. to become an early leader in fast-growing areas like quantum sensors and quantum communications.
This time around, the GAO identified four areas--collaboration, workforce, investment and supply chain--where U.S. policy makers could become active to encourage U.S. leadership in quantum computing and address gaps--such as skilled labor shortages--that could prevent quantum computing from fulfilling its promise to become a multi-billion dollar industry.
However, it also identifies areas of consideration where existing U.S. policy could be a hindrance to the quantum evolution. For example, in the area of workforce, the report suggested that policies that encourage international hiring “could allow U.S. quantum employers to attract and retain top talent from other countries,” but also added, “International hiring could be challenging because of visa requirements and export controls, both in place for national security reasons.”
Additionally, in the area of collaboration, the report acknowledged the need for international collaboration that could aid research and development, but also stated, “Export controls may complicate international collaboration, but are also needed to manage national security risks.”
The GAO report arrived after the Biden White House earlier this month gathered many companies working in the quantum computing sector to discuss quantum opportunities and challenges. The U.S. government also has agency efforts, like the National Quantum Coordination Office, which recommends policy, and the Quantum Economic Development Consortium, which has a connection to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Both of these were created in the wake of the National Quantum Initiative Act of 2018.
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