US grants $2 billion to US companies to develop supercomputers to solve problems impossible to handle with current systems

1718 readings

United States accelerates the global race for supremacy in quantum computing after the Commerce Department announced $2 billion in funding for US companies in the field. IBM will receive half of the amount for the development of quantum supercomputers capable of solving problems impossible to handle by current computer systems.

The move comes amid growing investment in the quantum computing sector, where companies are trying to develop computers that use quantum mechanics to perform highly complex calculations.

Quantum research and development

IBM estimates that the technology could generate up to $850 billion in economic value by 2040, while consultants McKinsey estimate that just four industries, automotive, chemicals, financial services and life sciences, could reap benefits of up to $1.3 trillion by 2035.

IBM has announced that it will use a $1 billion research and development incentive at its new Anderson company, described as “the first factory dedicated exclusively to quantum technology in America“.

The company stated that it would invest an additional $1 billion in the project, in which other investors would also participate.

Quantum computers can solve problems much faster than traditional computers, with potential applications in health, energy, defense and the environment.

What are the risks?

However, the technology also carries major cybersecurity risks, as it could in the future overcome current encryption systems.

Although large companies such as IBM, Microsoft and Google are investing heavily in the field, experts say that technical obstacles remain significant.

The “quantum bits” used by these systems are extremely sensitive to external factors such as temperature or light.

The US funding program will also include smaller companies such as D-Wave Quantum and Rigetti Computing, which would receive up to $100 million each in exchange for stakes in the companies.

D-Wave CEO Alan Baratz described the investment as “a transformative moment” for the quantum computing industry and for the United States.

The funds will be awarded through the CHIPS and Science Act program, and according to the Wall Street Journal, nine companies in the sector will benefit from the funding.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the administration Donald Trump thus leading “a new era of American innovation.”