CENTER FOR DATA INNOVATION 1
Why the United States Needs to
Support Near-Term Quantum
Computing Applications
By Hodan Omaar | April 27, 2021
Quantum computing leverages principles from quantum mechanics, a
branch of physics concerned primarily with the unique behaviors of
subatomic particles such as electrons and photons, to enable new,
extremely powerful computing architectures. Quantum computers use
quantum bits (qubits), which operate according to the quantum laws of
“superposition” and “entanglement,” that enable them to do things
traditional computers cannot. Because quantum computing is still early
in its development phase, many assume that practical applications are
still years away. In reality, as this report documents, organizations are
already using quantum computers today in real-world applications. As
other nations rapidly scale up their investments to develop and use
quantum computing, U.S. policymakers should ensure the United States
remains a leader. In particular, investing in near-term quantum
computing applications would bolster the development of longer-term
use cases of the technology, thereby helping to cement U.S. economic
competitiveness and protect national security.
INTRODUCTION
Recent advances in quantum computing technologies have led to a wave
of interest, bringing with it hype and confusion about both the potential of
quantum computing and its current status. While large-scale quantum
computers could, in theory, conduct such feats as decrypting current
cryptographic ciphers, in reality, quantum technologies are still in the very
early stages. John Preskill, a professor of theoretical physics at Caltech
University and a leading scientist in quantum computing, noted in 2018
that “we are entering a pivotal new era in quantum technology”—an era he
referred to as the “NISQ era.” NISQ stands for noisy intermediate-scale
As quantum computing
has the potential to
transcend the current
computational
boundaries that have
had a transformational
impact on the economy
and society, being a
leader in this
technology is of
strategic economic and
socia
l importance to
