Imagine a supercomputer millions or trillions of times more powerful than the most advanced technology today, capable of both discovering life-saving drugs and instantly hacking all digital encryption. The quantum technology to achieve all that could arrive in as few as five years, some industry players say. It has created an international technological race, and there’s a sign the U.S. government may look to increase its bets. The White House has since denied that it is in discussions with quantum companies. Nonetheless, optimism for quantum-technology stocks has reignited. Quantum technology is not a new topic of interest for the U.S. government. In 2018, President Donald Trump, then in his first term in office, signed the National Quantum Initiative Act, authorizing $1.2 billion for quantum research and development over five years. Under President Joe Biden, the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 reinforced quantum as an area of critical infrastructure and provided additional funding for quantum technology.

Full report : Governments and technology companies are fueling an urgent, high-stakes race to develop quantum power, which promises to revolutionize— and potentially compromise — global security.