With the potential implications quantum computing can have
on processing speed, data capacity and, perhaps most importantly, information
security, it’s not at all surprising that the Federal Government takes great
interest in its development. More
specifically, agencies such as the NSA take a great interest in the new technology. In leaks from the infamously known whistle
blower, Edward Snowden, it is predicted that approximately $79.7 million were
spent on research in a program referred to as “Penetrating
Hard Targets”. Portions of this
funding were specifically allocated for developing a quantum computer that could
be used in quantum cryptography.
Understandably, much of the research program is undisclosed
due to its classified status but, as covered in this blog’s earlier posts,
quantum computing can potentially have profound effects on encryption and cryptography.
In addition to the NSA, many other agencies and companies
have taken great interest in the development of quantum computing. DARPA, an organization given credit for the
birth of the internet, has provided years of funding and the super company,
Google even opened a “Quantum
Artificial Intelligence Lab”.
Perhaps the most interesting Federal involvement into the
effort behind quantum computing comes
from NASA. The space administration has been operating a
specialized lab known as QuAIL, Quantum Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. This program dives deep into the new
technology, exploring theoretical possibilities in quantum processing,
algorithms and even hybrid quantum-classical approaches.
With all the Federal attention given to this research, one
may ask if its having a positive or negative effect on the process. From one angle we may be reminded of the bureaucracy
added to any process involving the government.
On the other hand, the additional resources granted from the
Federally-backed funding will only speed up progress. With results still in their infancy, it seems
only time will tell.
Robertson, Adi. ‘NSA secretly funding code-breaking quantum
computer research, says Washington Post’. Retrieved from: http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/2/5267430/nsa-reportedly-secretly-funding-code-breaking-quantum-computer-research
‘A Description of the Penetrating Hard Targets project’. “National
Security’. Retrieved from: http://apps.washingtonpost.com/g/page/world/a-description-of-the-penetrating-hard-targets-project/691/
‘Quantum Artificial Intelligence Labortory’. “NASA. Retrieved
from: http://www.nas.nasa.gov/quantum/
I think that having the government involved in quantum computing research can only be a good thing. I don’t see the one negative you listed, bureaucracy, as that much of problem. The positive you listed, more funds, definitely outweighs that negative. More funds, means more scientists being involved, ability to pay for more man hours, and more resources. Of course there’s a chance that all this doesn’t matter because their might already be quantum computing. The old saying is that any of the new, fascinating technological devices or capabilities that are sold to the public today, the government had 20 years before, but just kept it quiet.
ReplyDeleteI agree that government involvement is a good thing. I expect the research being done is worth every penny of the $79,000,000. We're on the verge of the next step in computing to make computing quicker and more efficient, and the federal government is rightly spending money on it.
ReplyDeleteUsing both NASA and the NSA threw me off while reading a bit, was kinda confused and had to go back and reread, but that's on me; otherwise very informative. : )