Quantum Companies Demonstrate Technology to Legislators

Quantum computing companies have demonstrated the latest developments in quantum technologies to help inform lawmakers ahead of plans to reauthorize the Quantum Initiative Act (QIA).

U.S. quantum industry representatives from 22 companies including D-Wave, Google Quantum AI, IBM, Infleqtion, Nvidia and Quantinuum took part in the Quantum Economic Development Consortium’s (QED-C) first Quantum Technology Showcase on Capitol Hill.

The event followed the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Quantum Research Showcase. Together, they aimed to highlight the importance of the entire innovation ecosystem for advancing quantum, from academic research to the private sector.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation hosted the events for legislative offices, federal agencies and industry stakeholders.

“Quantum technologies are part of a growing industry critical to the U.S. economy and national security,” said QED-C executive director Celia Merzbacher.

“However, quantum is still a nascent industry and there have been few opportunities for policymakers to experience these technologies firsthand and meet the innovators in person. This was our way to demonstrate that the quantum industry is creating products, businesses and jobs that will drive the quantum future.”

Related:How U.S. National Quantum Initiative Aims to Shape Quantum Computing

The showcase highlighted how federally funded research results in practical applications as Congress looks to reauthorize the National Quantum Initiative (NQI).

Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced several bipartisan bills to advance quantum development, including the recent Defense Quantum Acceleration Act of 2024.

Referencing China’s push to leapfrog the U.S. in quantum research, she said at the event: “We are trying to push the reauthorization of the National Quantum Initiative. Whether you’re talking about the commercial sector, defense sector or health care sector, quantum is going to be a game-changer.”

Other quantum companies participating included Amphenol, AOSense, Bluefors, Keysight Technologies, Maybell Quantum Industries, Octave Photonics, qBraid, Q-CTRL, Qrypt, Qubitekk, Qunnect, Resilient Entanglement, RTX BBN, Sivananthan Laboratories and Vescent.