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Insight and Technology

Will the US or China win the race for global quantum dominance?

By Matthew Sparkes

29 September 2021

HEFEI, CHINA - APRIL 18, 2021 - Aerial photo shows the Institute of Quantum Information and Quantum Technology Innovation at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Hefei, Anhui province, April 18, 2021. (Photo credit should read Costfoto/Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

The National Laboratory for Quantum Information Science in Hefei, China

Costfoto/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

QUANTUM computers and networks, once merely physicists’ playthings, are increasingly seen as both a national security threat and a potential asset, with the theoretical ability to crack current encryption methods, but also improve artificial intelligence. The recently announced security pact between the UK, the US and Australia drew a lot of attention for its focus on nuclear-powered submarines, but this AUKUS deal also promised to share quantum technologies.

It makes sense for Australia and the UK to ally themselves with a quantum tech leader like…

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