Many countries around the world are investing significant resources into the development of quantum and supercomputers, recognizing the potential impact of these technologies on a wide range of industries and scientific fields. In this article, we will explore the budgets and achievements of some of the leading countries in this field.
The United States government has allocated billions of dollars to fund research and development in the field of quantum computing. The country's largest quantum computing initiative, known as the National Quantum Initiative, was launched in 2018 with an initial investment of $1.2 billion over five years. In terms of supercomputers, the US is home to some of the world's fastest machines, including the Summit supercomputer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
China has also made significant investments in quantum computing in recent years, with the goal of becoming a leader in this field. The Chinese government has allocated tens of billions of dollars to fund quantum research, and in 2020, the country unveiled a 2.5 billion yuan ($360 million) quantum research center. China also has several of the world's fastest supercomputers, including the Sunway TaihuLight, which was the world's fastest supercomputer from 2016 to 2018.
Japan has made significant investments in quantum computing and is home to several leading research institutions in this field. In 2017, the Japanese government announced a 100 billion yen ($940 million) initiative to develop quantum computers and related technologies. The country is also home to the Fugaku supercomputer, which is currently the world's fastest.
The European Union has also allocated over 1 billion euros to fund research and development in the field of quantum computing. The EU's flagship quantum initiative, the Quantum Flagship, was launched in 2018 with the goal of developing and commercializing quantum technologies in Europe. In terms of supercomputers, the EU is home to several of the world's fastest machines, including the MareNostrum at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center.
Russia has made investments in quantum computing, with the goal of becoming a leader in this field. In 2019, the Russian government announced plans to allocate 50 billion rubles ($640 million) to fund quantum research over the next five years. The country also has several supercomputers, including the Lomonosov-2, which was ranked as the world's 12th fastest supercomputer in 2020.
Iran has also shown an interest in developing quantum computing technology. In 2018, the country's Vice President for Science and Technology announced plans to establish a national quantum computing center. The government has also provided funding for research in this field, though there are limited details available about the specific budget and achievements of Iran in this area.
Overall, these countries are investing significant resources in the development of quantum and supercomputers, recognizing the potential impact of these technologies on a wide range of industries and scientific fields. As the technology continues to advance, it will be interesting to see how these investments translate into practical applications and benefits for society. It is important for all stakeholders to work together towards ensuring that this technology is developed and used in a way that benefits society as a whole.
by Pooyan Ghamari Swiss Economist Visionary
LinkedIn
Instagram