US's big bet on quantum computing may not be entirely legal
Summary
The US government announced $2 billion in investments in quantum computing startups, including creating a new company called Anderon funded equally by IBM and the government. A member of Congress, Zoe Lofgren, argues this use of funds may be illegal because the money was originally meant for semiconductor research, not quantum computing.Key Facts
- The US government is investing $2 billion in quantum computing companies.
- Each selected startup receives $100 million in exchange for company shares.
- Anderon, a new quantum chip manufacturing company, will get $1 billion from IBM and $1 billion from the government.
- Anderon will use IBM’s employees, technology, and facilities to make quantum chips and offer fabrication services.
- Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren says the funding breaks the law, as money comes from a semiconductor research fund.
- The CHIPS and Science Act, which provided this money, aims to support semiconductor technology, not quantum processors.
- The investments are not forming public-private partnerships as intended by the funding law.
- Legal action may be difficult because it requires a person or group directly harmed to sue, and court cases could take too long.
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