The US push to boost ‘quantum computing’

This Feb. 27, 2018, photo shows a seven cubit quantum device is seen at the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. Conventional computers process information as a stream of bits, each of which can be either a zero or a one in the binary language of computing. But quantum bits, known as qubits, can register zero and one simultaneously. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, New York: A race by US tech companies to build a new generation of powerful “quantum computers” could get a US$1.3bil (RM5.37bil) boost from Congress, fuelled in part by lawmakers’ fear of growing competition from China. 

Legislation passed earlier in September by the US House of Representatives would create a 10-year federal programme to accelerate research and development of the esoteric technology. As the bill moves to the Senate, where it also has bipartisan support, the White House showed its enthusiasm for the effort by holding a quantum summit Sept 24.