Feds mull regulation of quantum computers

Iria · Nov 9, 2005, 06:44 PM

WASHINGTON--Quantum computers don't exist outside the laboratory. But the U.S. government appears to be exploring whether it should be illegal to ship them overseas.

A federal advisory committee met Wednesday to hear an IBM presentation about just how advanced quantum computers have become--with an eye toward evaluating when the technology might be practical enough to merit government regulation.

"I like to say we're back in 1947 at the time transistors were invented," David DiVincenzo, an IBM researcher who focuses on quantum computing, told the committee.

Only rough prototypes of quantum computers presently exist. But if a large-scale model can be built, in theory it could break codes used to scramble information on the Internet, in banking, and within federal agencies.
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Read More / Source: ZDNet

Nov 9, 2005, 06:44 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 74	Feds mull regulation of quantum computers WASHINGTON--Quantum computers don't exist outside the laboratory. But the U.S. government appears to be exploring whether it should be illegal to ship them overseas. A federal advisory committee met Wednesday to hear an IBM presentation about just how advanced quantum computers have become--with an eye toward evaluating when the technology might be practical enough to merit government regulation. "I like to say we're back in 1947 at the time transistors were invented," David DiVincenzo, an IBM researcher who focuses on quantum computing, told the committee. Only rough prototypes of quantum computers presently exist. But if a large-scale model can be built, in theory it could break codes used to scramble information on the Internet, in banking, and within federal agencies. _____________ Read More / Source: ZDNet