The United States has announced new export controls targeting advanced technologies, including quantum computing and GAAFET chip technology, aligning with similar measures by international partners. The updated regulations cover quantum computing equipment, advanced semiconductor production, and additive manufacturing technologies.
Commerce official Alan Estevez emphasised that these controls aim to keep pace with technological advancements and enhance their effectiveness through international cooperation. The most notable changes involve stringent reporting requirements for foreign national employees working on quantum computing in the US, while GAAFET controls will focus on production rather than design.
Trade lawyer Kevin Wolf highlighted that while these measures are intended to safeguard technological advancements, they might impact hiring in the quantum sector. Celia Merzbacher from the Quantum Economic Development Consortium expressed concern that these reporting requirements could deter small companies from hiring foreign talent, potentially limiting their access to skilled professionals crucial for innovation.
Ericsson, Nokia, and Vodafone have united in a call to action for European policymakers to enhance digital competitiveness through advanced connectivity and digitalisation. They argue that achieving a true Digital Single Market is essential for fostering innovation and ensuring Europe can compete globally. The following initiative emphasises the need for coherent implementation of existing regulations and the avoidance of unnecessary regulatory burdens that could hinder the rapid deployment of digital infrastructure.
Ericsson, Nokia, and Vodafone highlight the importance of incentivising investment in advanced connectivity solutions, such as 5G and future 6G technologies. They stress that a modernised regulatory framework is crucial for maintaining healthy telecom operators capable of making substantial investments in infrastructure. This includes advocating for longer spectrum licenses and harmonised rules across the EU member states, facilitating a more robust telecommunications landscape.
Ericsson, Nokia, and Vodafone also propose that policymakers differentiate between business-to-business (B2B) and consumer-facing technologies when crafting regulations. Tailoring regulations to these sectors’ specific needs and operational structures will help create a more level playing field and address market failures effectively. This distinction is vital for fostering an environment where trusted companies can thrive and innovate.
Ericsson, Nokia, and Vodafone highlight the need for Europe to prepare for emerging technologies like quantum computing and AI. They advocate for policies encouraging experimentation and attracting private investment, ensuring Europe can leverage these advancements while addressing security challenges.
Quantum computing is on the brink of revolutionising industries like drug development and climate change mitigation, with experts predicting significant breakthroughs in the near future. Cambridge-based Riverlane, led by founder Steve Brierley, is at the forefront of this movement, having developed the world’s first quantum decoder chip to correct errors that currently hinder the technology. Brierley believes quantum computing will soon reach a ‘Sputnik’ moment, marking a significant leap forward in computational power.
Riverlane recently raised $75 million in Series C funding, a strong sign of investor confidence in the potential of quantum computing. The company’s vice president of quantum science, Earl Campbell, stated that within the next few years, quantum computers could achieve error-free operations on a large scale, allowing them to outperform conventional computers in certain tasks. This capability is particularly promising for simulating quantum systems, which could lead to breakthroughs in medicine, more efficient fertiliser production, and advanced battery technologies—all critical for addressing global challenges like climate change.
Despite the immense potential, quantum computing faces significant challenges, including the need for sophisticated error correction to manage the highly sensitive qubits at its core. However, with continued advancements and scaling, experts believe quantum computing will eventually solve problems deemed unsolvable by traditional methods. As the technology advances, there is a growing awareness of the need for regulatory frameworks to manage its impact, particularly given its potential to disrupt existing cryptographic systems and other critical areas.
Paris-based quantum computing startup Pasqal has inked a significant deal with Saudi Arabia’s oil giant Aramco, marking the installation of the kingdom’s first quantum computer. Scheduled for deployment in the latter half of 2025, Pasqal will oversee the installation, maintenance, and operation of a powerful 200-cubit quantum computer.
Georges-Olivier Reymond, CEO and co-founder of Pasqal expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting its role in advancing the commercial embrace of quantum technology within Saudi Arabia. The initiative follows Pasqal’s successful provision of quantum computers to both France and Germany. Notably, Alain Aspect, a co-founder of Pasqal, was awarded the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics for groundbreaking experiments underpinning quantum mechanics, laying the foundation for quantum computing.
Why does it matter?
The allure of quantum computing lies in its potential to revolutionise computational capabilities, with projections suggesting that quantum computers could outpace today’s supercomputers by millions of times in certain computations. This partnership between Pasqal and Aramco signals a meaningful step towards harnessing the power of quantum technology to solve complex problems across various sectors, including energy, finance, and logistics. As the global race for quantum supremacy intensifies, collaborations like this one are pivotal in pushing the boundaries of technological innovation, promising transformative advancements with far-reaching implications for industries and societies worldwide.
In an interview given to Digital Watch Observatory, André Xuereb, Ambassador for Digital Affairs at the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta, provided insights into the world of quantum computing and its implications for diplomacy. Quantum computing, as described by Xuereb, harnesses the laws of quantum mechanics to tackle complex problems by exploiting the simultaneous states of quantum bits or qubits, offering unprecedented computational power.
Xuereb emphasised the transformative potential of quantum computing, particularly in areas like drug discovery and cryptography. With its ability to handle intricate molecular structures efficiently, quantum computers could revolutionise drug design and accelerate the development of new medicines. Additionally, the inherent properties of quantum computing pose challenges to traditional encryption methods, potentially compromising data security.
Addressing the emergence of quantum diplomacy, Xuereb underscored the need for international collaboration and governance frameworks to navigate the complexities of quantum technologies. Initiatives like the Open Quantum Institute in Geneva, a global platform for quantum research and development, aim to facilitate equitable access to quantum resources, bridging the gap between countries with varying technological capabilities. Meanwhile, major tech players such as Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and others, with their substantial investments in quantum technologies, are not only driving technological advancements but also shaping the diplomatic landscape by influencing policy discussions and international cooperation in this field.
Looking ahead, Xuereb advised future quantum diplomats to prioritise discussions around the implications of quantum technologies on global security and communication. With the advent of general-purpose quantum computers, the risk of cyber threats, such as the ability to break current encryption methods, and the need for secure communication channels become paramount diplomatic concerns. However, Xuereb emphasised the importance of striking a balance between leveraging quantum advancements for societal benefits and mitigating potential risks associated with their misuse, such as the potential for quantum computers to crack current encryption methods, leading to widespread data breaches and security vulnerabilities.
Europe’s envisioned outcomes from this collaboration include enhancing HPC applications, fostering information sharing to tackle societal challenges, facilitating researcher exchange between India and the EU, and strengthening international cooperation in HPC development. While the EU’s document lacks specifics on the path forward, India’s recent call for proposals delineates a clear roadmap. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology seeks proposals to analyse climate change, bioinformatics, and natural hazards using HPC, alongside developing integrated early warning systems for multi-hazard scenarios. Proposals are expected to outline specific application optimisation plans, development timelines, and critical performance indicators demonstrating cooperative benefits. Accepted proposals allow access to HPC facilities in India and the EU.
India’s Supercomputing Mission has commissioned 28 supercomputers, while the EU’s High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking operates nine machines with substantial computing power. Despite the progress, India and the EU still need to provide a timeframe for implementing approved proposals.
IBM has unveiled its plans to establish the first quantum data center in Europe, which will be in Germany. The primary objective of this center, situated in Ehningen, is to grant access to cutting-edge quantum computing to businesses, research institutions, and governmental bodies.
Expected to be operational by 2024, the data center will house multiple IBM quantum computer systems equipped with processors boasting more than 100 qubits, aiming to empower users in the European cloud region to deploy quantum systems and process data exclusively within Europe. IBM’s Quantum Computing vice president, Jay Gambetta, stated that this is part of a broader initiative aimed at enabling European users to harness the potential of quantum computing for addressing major global challenges. I
In addition to the hardware expansion, IBM will introduce novel software, such as the “Multichannel Scheduler,” to enhance the optimization of quantum computer workflows.
This initiative also aligns with Germany’s own quantum strategy, which seeks to bolster the nation’s position in quantum technology and tackle societal issues across various domains.
The US administration plans to ban investments in certain Chinese technology firms and increase scrutiny of others, with the goal of addressing concerns that US investors are aiding Beijing’s military advancements. The aim is to curb the flow of American capital and knowledge that could potentially benefit China’s military.
Republican Senator Bill Hagerty also raised the issue of restricting the supply of US goods to Chinese telecom company Huawei, but the Commerce Department has not yet drafted any rules in this regard. Last year, a significant number of export license applications were denied or returned without action as part of efforts to prevent sales that could contribute to Beijing’s military buildup.
China Telecom has invested 3 billion yuan ($434 million) in establishing the China Telecom Quantum Information Technology Group. The newly formed entity, headquartered in Anhui province, is dedicated to advancing quantum technology, expediting the development of quantum products, and fostering the industry on a national scale. China Telecom’s formation of the group aligns with General Secretary Xi Jinping’s directives on quantum technology and underscores China’s ambition to emerge as a frontrunner in the worldwide race for quantum computing supremacy.
In a similar development, China Mobile, another major Chinese telecommunications company, had previously partnered with Origin Quantum, a Chinese startup, to explore the utilisation of quantum computing in addressing computational bottlenecks in 5G and 6G technologies.
China has introduced a state-of-the-art quantum computing cloud platform that enables researchers to undertake complex computational tasks while allowing the public to experience the capabilities of quantum computing. The platform utilises three superconducting quantum chips with different qubit configurations. It has been available for testing since November and has attracted more than 2,000 users from both domestic and international backgrounds. Numerous research teams have already leveraged this platform to remotely access quantum chips for their scientific research and software development projects.
Developed collaboratively by the Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences, the Institute of Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Tsinghua University, the platform was unveiled at the 2023 Zhongguancun Forum held in Beijing. Fan Heng, a researcher at the Institute of Physics, stressed the significance of constructing the quantum computing ecosystem on a cloud platform, underscoring the need for the swift development of such platforms.
