Grab your pail and shovel, because Congress wants the IT world to join government in the quantum sandbox. The goal? To develop and deploy quantum and quantum-hybrid applications for use in the near-term.
Toward that end, a bipartisan bill, titled, Quantum Sandbox for Near-Term Applications Act of 2023, has been introduced in both the House (HR. 2739) and the Senate (S. 1439).
In a press release, Jay Obernolte (R-CA), who introduced the House version of the bill, commented, “The bill will help to accelerate quantum technology commercial development by creating a quantum sandbox program where government and industry can come together to develop and deploy quantum and quantum-hybrid applications for use in the near-term.”
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), who introduced the Senate bill, noted, “While Communist China has publicly acknowledged their goal to lead the world in quantum communications by 2049, it’s critical the United States provide an environment for entrepreneurs and companies to promote competition and continued innovation. This bipartisan legislation will create a public-private partnership to accelerate the development of near-term quantum applications.”
The House bill notes the following key issues and features of the Quantum program:
(1) The National Quantum Initiative and its ongoing activities explore and promote Quantum Information Science.
(2) Continual innovation by the quantum industry of the United States is critically important.
(3) Quantum and quantum-hybrid applications have the ability to provide innovative solutions for near-term use cases across a variety of public and private sector challenges.
(4) Many quantum computers are available via the cloud and through a dedicated near-term quantum application acceleration program that is inclusive of the wide variety of quantum computing technologies will break down barriers to access quantum computing hardware systems.
(5) Business and consumers of the United States will be able to see benefits of the innovation through a program focusing on near-term use of the technology.
(6) Quantum information science is a foundational technology that is transforming the economy of the 21st century.
(7) Robust leadership in quantum research and near-term development will have a great impact on the economic security of the United States.
(8) Unrivaled excellence in workforce development is key in developing next generation leaders in quantum applications.
Both bills have been referred to committee. Where they go from there remains to be seen.