U.S. Government Ponders Quantum Computer Regulation

Yahoo ^ | 11/10/05 | Elizabeth Millard

[Straight Vermonter]

A federal advisory committee met Wednesday for a presentation set up by IBM (NYSE: IBM - news) about quantum computers, to determine when the technology might be ready to be considered for government regulation.

The computers, which are still in the early prototype stage, make use of quantum mechanical phenomena to perform operations. It is believed that if large-scale quantum computers could be built, they could solve some problems faster than any existing computer.

In his presentation to the committee, IBM researcher David DiVincenzo compared the potential of quantum computing to the possibilities generated in 1947 when transistors were invented.

Regulation Station

In considering what type of regulations should be imposed on quantum computing, it is likely that the committee mainly will consider how to handle the export status of the machines.

During the 1990s, the U.S. government put strict controls on the export of technology, but has relaxed its stance somewhat due to the growing global economy. However, high-performance computers have been under export control since 2003.

The government has yet to decide how it will treat quantum computers, but the committee's meeting could be an indication that regulators will view the technology in the same way as high-performance computers, and put controls on its export.

Science Department

Despite the regulatory tangles it might present, the advancement of computing is important for several reasons, said Thomas Zacharia, associate laboratory director for Computing and Computational Sciences at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

"Having more power gives researchers the ability to change how science is done," he said. "It makes them think in new ways, and embark on projects that might have seemed impossible only a few years ago."

Although he did not comment on the promise of quantum computing specifically, Zacharia observed that greater processing speed, in general, has allowed researchers and scientists to explore a range of applications, and that the power has been felt across several disciplines.

"Processing power can assist projects in a huge number of fields," he said. "And the continuing advances are very exciting."

[Constantine XIII]

I pray that you're kidding. :P

[Constantine XIII]

It's almost, but not quite, completely unlike tea. :)

[familyop]

BTW, the following might the security parallel. ...will read more, as I guide study for a couple of teens in physics studies. News on current stuff helps to keep them going.

Princeton Lightwave Licenses IBM Single-Photon Detection Technology
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/051011/phtu040.html?.v=27

[shibumi]

Although humorous, there is nothing factually in error in either the assertion that money could export technology during the Clinton years (ask the Chinese) or that IBM regularly trades in monopolizing patents, some of which may very well have been back-engineered.

.....so, Ha! Ha!

[Wiz]

Damn, I like these mad science.

[The_Reader_David]

I personally suspect someone has been feeding the regulators over-optomistic assessments of the state of quantum computing. I've not heard any convincing evidence that anyone has gotten around the no-go theorem based on strong enough coupling to the environment to allow programming will cause the state of the machine to decohere, loosing the phase which is essential for Schor's algorithm.

The danger to strong encryption isn't from a quantum computer, but from a non-programmable 'Schor device', the time-evolution of which has been contrived to do nothing but implement Schor's algorithm, with preparation and measurement as the only interactions with the environment.

[ModelBreaker]

Does this mean that we can now fashion "tin-foil" hats and wear them without anyone being the wiser?

Tin-foil is a great accessory. It goes with almost anything and it makes you look wiser.

[Alex Murphy]

"Having more power gives researchers the ability to change how science is done," he said. "It makes them think in new ways, and embark on projects that might have seemed impossible only a few years ago."

And then Microsoft will release a new version of Windows, after which that quantum computer will run like one of these babies...

[Jack Black]

You are joking, right?

[operation clinton cleanup]

there is nothing factually in error in either the assertion that money could export technology during the Clinton years (ask the Chinese) or that IBM regularly trades in monopolizing patents, some of which may very well have been back-engineered.

Thank you for second sourcing... now I can pass off my theories as fact!

[operation clinton cleanup]

You are joking, right?

If you are laughing, I am.

[Sofa King]

"A federal advisory committee met Wednesday for a presentation set up by IBM (NYSE: IBM - news) about quantum computers, to determine when the technology might be ready to be considered for government regulation."

Wow. Not even "should it be regulated" just, "is it ready to regulate yet?". And where did this committee come from? What gives them the power to be doing this?

[shibumi]

Passing off unproven theories as fact has never stopped anyone in the MainStreamMedia, or most of the scientific community, for that matter.

(.....he then waits patiently for the expected nodding of sage heads, the ruffling of feathers and a few loud HAARRRUMPH!s.....)

[Paul C. Jesup]

This is just another story by the leftist press on how they with hurt the U.S. economy, via by stopping innovation.