US's big bet on quantum computing may not be legal
by Bender on 5/25/2026, 11:11:14 PM
Comments
by: upofadown
>That technology overlaps only partially, at best, with what’s used in quantum processors.<p>Dunno, how can you say that for sure when we don't actually know how to make a practical quantum processor? The bigger issue is that we are scaling up manufacturing of approaches that have not been made to work.<p>I remember a meeting where the project manager pointed out that we were due to send some test boards to a customer. I pointed out that we didn't have a design yet. The PM then asked why we couldn't send them some boards anyway. I suggested that since the boards wouldn't work that we could just cut out some green cardboard and add some component shapes with a magic marker thus saving significant time and effort.<p>It turned out that I was not as funny as I thought I was...
5/28/2026, 5:12:10 PM
by: Eric_Bulai
This is a novel for a book. In a race where the rules are broken by some participants, how secure are your own systems when your opponent can access invisible technology long before the others? This should make you think.
5/28/2026, 5:51:51 PM
by: 6DM
> "could argue that it has been harmed by the diversion of the funds to a different field. But that argument would likely take so long to sort out in court that all the money would have been spent by then."<p>So if I steal from someone and spend it fast enough, I wouldn't be responsible anymore and can get away with it? That's how that sounded to me.
5/28/2026, 4:49:47 PM
by: kennywinker
I don’t know enough about the state of quantum computing but this <i>sounds</i> like IBM dumping dead end research onto taxpayers
5/28/2026, 4:47:11 PM
by: ifh-hn
My first reaction, without RTFA, is: hasn't stopped them before, why would not being legal stop US big tech now?
5/28/2026, 4:56:44 PM
by: 123k2a
Trump Jr. is one of the government money recipients via 1789 capital (which had already profited from the groq insider sale last year):<p><a href="https://www.startribune.com/donald-trump-quantum-computing-investment-ibm-d-wave-psiquantum-skywater-technology/601847464" rel="nofollow">https://www.startribune.com/donald-trump-quantum-computing-i...</a>
5/28/2026, 5:09:18 PM
by: josefritzishere
I think we're all seeing a theme.
5/28/2026, 4:46:57 PM
by: mounceyboy
my favorite conspiracy theory - the govt has already cracked all the RSA codes but they keep funding QM to show that we're still secure.
5/28/2026, 5:26:44 PM
by: sebmellen
Quantum itself is the most scummy, grift-filled industry. Every quantum company is riding the AI/semiconductor hype wave with basically zero revenue prospects or long-term application of the tech. Companies trading at 200x earnings, IONQs CEO claiming to the “next NVIDIA”/“base case is Cisco’s market cap” — just ridiculous.
5/28/2026, 4:43:40 PM
by: fred_is_fred
Does it matter? The law is not a roadblock for the current administration.
5/28/2026, 4:38:22 PM
by: shevy-java
A suspicious amount of betting here - from the top of the current administration, down to semi-regular people like that US soldier who profited from his special knowledge recently:<p><a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/us-soldier-charged-using-classified-information-profit-prediction-market-bets" rel="nofollow">https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/us-soldier-charged-using-clas...</a><p>400.000$<p>So if these are all the Trump-voters then I am no longer surprised. It's an ongoing cash grab on different levels - the big guns play on top.
5/28/2026, 5:05:05 PM
by: CoderAshton
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5/28/2026, 5:39:20 PM
by: bebeal
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5/28/2026, 4:54:45 PM
by: itake
disclosure: I have large (to me) investments in quantum.<p>---<p>The US needs to keep leading innovations. We have permanently lost the ability to manufacture. For China (and the world) to stay dependent on us, we need to continue pumping out technologies.<p>Ukraine / Iran / Afghanistan / Vietnam has proved having the biggest baddest military is not that valuable.
5/28/2026, 5:16:57 PM