The video explores the dual aspects of quantum computing: its national security risks and its potential to power the global economy over the next 50 years. It delves into the national security concerns such as Encryption vulnerability, which could lead to massive data breaches, and discusses the global race to become leaders in quantum technology. This technology is crucial for innovation in AI and Cybersecurity, prompting a need for Collaboration between public and private sectors, as well as international competition, particularly with China.

The discussion touches on how governments, primarily the U.S., can support quantum technology development in the private sector while also applying controls to ensure security. The video highlights how Bipartisan efforts are essential due to the potential of quantum computing to both challenge and enhance Cybersecurity. It involves the intersection of public funds and private expertise, demanding strategic partnerships and legislative initiatives similar to the Chips Act.

Key takeaways from the video:

Please remember to turn on the CC button to view the subtitles.

Key Vocabularies and Common Phrases:

1. Encryption [ɪnˈkrɪpʃən] - (n.) - The process of converting information or data into a code to prevent unauthorized access.

A large enough quantum computer could break Encryption.

2. Infrastructure [ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌktʃər] - (n.) - The basic physical systems of a business or nation, necessary for its operation.

A large enough quantum computer could break Encryption. And so we use Encryption for digital data for our communications Infrastructure.

3. Bipartisan [ˌbaɪˈpɑːrtɪzən] - (adj.) - Involving cooperation, agreement, or compromise between two major political parties.

We know that competition with China is maybe one of the few things that you and your colleagues can agree on on Capitol Hill.

4. Supremacy [suːˈprɛməsi] - (n.) - The state of being superior or having more power.

If all of us work together in a coordinated way, like we should, I think we can maintain our Supremacy.

5. Cybersecurity [ˌsaɪbərsɪˈkjʊərɪti] - (n.) - Measures taken to protect a computer or computer system against unauthorized access or attack.

So quantum computing, there's two aspects to it. One is a national security concern, with large enough quantum computer could break Encryption.

6. Export controls [ˈɛkˌspɔrt kənˈtroʊlz] - (n.) - Government regulations on the export of certain goods or technology to other countries.

If we're behind, we don't have to worry about Export controls.

7. Collaboration [kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃən] - (n.) - The act of working together with one or more people in order to achieve something.

If all of us work together in a coordinated way, like we should, I think we can maintain our Supremacy.

8. Quantum networks [ˈkwɒntəm ˈnɛtwɜrkz] - (n.) - Communication networks that use quantum signals for transmitting information securely.

We're working on, and others are working on Quantum networks, and these Quantum networks then can't be hacked by quantum computers.

9. Legislation [ˌlɛdʒɪsˈleɪʃən] - (n.) - Laws, considered collectively, enacted or under consideration by a legislative body.

Do you have a relationship with that kind of Legislation?

10. Allocation [ˌæl.oʊˈkeɪ.ʃən] - (n.) - The action or process of distributing resources or duties for a specific purpose.

I think the challenge, though, is really going to come down to the Allocation of funds.

Navigating Quantum Computing's Role in Global Leadership

So quantum computing, there's two aspects to it. One is a national security concern. A large enough quantum computer could break Encryption. And so we use Encryption for digital data for our communications Infrastructure. And if you can break that, that means that you can hack into people's emails, you can listen to digital conversations, and you can alter, restore all of our records in digital files, and that's how we use them as truth. And so now, all of a sudden, you could go through and change who owns properties, who own stocks, all those kinds of things. So that's one aspect.

The other one is that it's expected for the next 50 years that the economy will be powered by quantum. And so there's a global space race to see who's going to be the leader for the next 50 years using this technology. So here we have, in a literal sense, a public private partnership at the table here today. Congressman, your take here as we hear from the Biden administration, I don't know if you saw this coming, but it seems that we're in a world with technologies like this and artificial intelligence where you both need each other right now.

Oh, absolutely. And I think the government needs the private sector more than the other way around. But I think we want to make sure that we're supportive of their efforts and make sure in part that we stay out of the way, but also in part that we provide the type of capital and support that they need.

Stay out of the way or provide guardrails as well? Well, I mean, it's a fine line, especially since most of us in the government, and I include myself in that category, don't know much about what they're actually doing. So when you get deep into the weeds, there's reason I went to law school and didn't stay on the PhD track. This is one of those.

But I think it's important for us to make sure that we're facilitating their growth and their development and research, because we are in competition with China and other countries to make sure that we can stay ahead of the curve on this front and also maximize the capabilities, as you heard, the military applications, the Cybersecurity issues, and just the other research possibilities are all powerful reasons to do that.

Well, and part of that competition with China does reflect itself in things like exports controls. But arguably, it also does in, say, Legislation like the Chips act, where the US is trying to make more of this stuff on us shores rather than having it be centered in places like China. Do you have a relationship with that kind of Legislation? Do we need a quantum computing act realistically or are these things actually intersected some intersection? But we definitely need more investment by the us government to go to quantum industries.

If you look at China, they've allocated $15 billion. They've built a small city in China which is just for quantum. The five year plan for China states that they will leapfrog the US and the west by using quantum technologies. We haven't allocated that kind of money because it really is a public private partnership. So the way we compete in the west is not just through government, but also through industry. And so we need to strengthen that relationship to be able to compete against countries like China.

I'd like to hear from you more, Peter, on Cybersecurity, because what you said is important here, recalling the crowd strike event, the intense competition with Palo Alto, the questions that we have, and kind of like you mentioned, congressman, falling into the arms of these companies with technologies that we don't always understand. If quantum computing can crack cyber defenses, can it also enhance Cybersecurity? If used properly, yes. It's both the problem and also the solution.

So we're working on, and others are working on Quantum networks, and these Quantum networks then can't be hacked by quantum computers. So it's both the problem and also that's the future. Indeed, it is like, kind of reminds me, a diamond is the only thing that can cut another diamond kind of situation. I'm just trying to think of a way to analyze this in my head.

So as we talk about the idea that this maybe have important implications for national security, Cybersecurity, you obviously think a public private partnership is very important. Is this also Bipartisan? We know that competition with China is maybe one of the few things that you and your colleagues can agree on on Capital Hill. Every now and then, they're one of those that pop up. This, I think, is one of those.

I think the challenge, though, is really going to come down to the Allocation of funds. And my republican colleagues, as you may have heard, are trying to move these sort of funding issues in a different direction overall. But I think even here we can find Bipartisan.

So the ability for the US to be competitive in quantum computing, could I be completely related to the spending fight that's about to go down when you return to the hill in a few days? I'll say it this way. I mean, as you just heard, you've got nations that are actually trying to poach us companies and get them to move there that are in this field. And at the same time, you've got a gigantic investment by China in the computing field, the quantum computing field.

So if we want to stay competitive and stay ahead of the curve, which allows us to. To deal with some of the other factors you were talking about, like Export controls. If we're behind, we don't have to worry about Export controls. We're trying to catch up. We're still in the lead, and we can maintain that, but it's going to take, I think, a joint effort.

We've left out academia as well. There's the third corner of the iron triangle. But if all of us work together in a coordinated way, like we should, I think we can maintain our Supremacy. This is about education, though. It sounds like you guys are on a road show to tell people what we're talking about.

We can't get through a day without hearing about AI. Is quantum computing a blind spot in Washington? I mean, I think AI is such a broad umbrella. There are blind spots under that rubric, too, underneath, because sometimes people are talking about different things. But at the end of the day, I think Congress needs to focus and we need to do it by committee, because, you know, not everything is going to fall under every category.

Deepfakes, for example. That's one committee, but doesn't necessarily go to these kinds of issues and challenges. The military applications. We haven't even talked about drones yet, but I think we need to make sure we're moving forward on all of those fronts in a way that allows the scientists to take the lead and with support from the government and academia.

Peter, you want to talk about drones? Yeah. Well, just these new Quantum networks. So we're working on quantum computing and also quantum networking. Within quantum, there's another area, which is quantum sensing new ways to be able to image into the ground. Oil exploration and those things.

We're doing two out of the three Quantum networks, one of the places to be able to build a quantum network to a drone. And then the neat thing about that is you can't hack the communication to the drone. So when you are, if you were in Ukraine, there's no way to block the communication between the drone and the ground. And so it's maybe a really powerful way to be able to control things on the battlefield.

Quantum Computing, Cybersecurity, Science, National Security, Technology, Public-Private Partnership