Even if quantum technology may seem far from widespread use, experts warn of the need to invest and build its infrastructure for economic growth and national security — now.
Researchers, public sector leaders and company executives gathered in mid-September to explore this theme at the Quantum World Congress, an annual conference focused on innovations with the technology and policymaking related to it.
The term “quantum” references technology creating new capabilities in uses like computing and sensing. One example many speakers cited is its ability to break encryption and decryption methods, widely considered a national security risk.
The United Nations recognized this science’s global potential and it deemed 2025 the “International Year of Quantum Science and Technology,” which several speakers pointed to as proof of the technology’s necessity. It’s also not “far away” from implementation, explained Anna Nissinen, the senior vice president at the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority — and the DMV is a hub for quantum.
“Proposals to slash the US science budget, if enacted, would cripple fundamental research and slow private sector investment, both here and abroad.”
Jonathan Bagger, CEO of the American Physical Society
“We want to make sure that our community, in particular, is aware that this technology already exists,” Nissinen told Technical.ly at the conference, “and we need to be ready for it now, because once it becomes the mainstream, we may be left behind.”
The three-day event brought in speakers like Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), Illinois’ Gov. JB Pritzker and Maryland’s Gov. Wes Moore to Capital One Hall in Tysons, Virginia.
The latter governor used the platform to announce a new partnership with the tech giant Microsoft to develop a quantum research facility at the University of Maryland Discovery District.
Quantum leaders also spent those few days stressing the need for partnerships across countries and sectors, and federal government involvement in developing and scaling the technology. They did that alongside other programming, ranging from breakouts and tech demos to a pitch competition and an exhibition hall.
Keep scrolling for key takeaways from the Quantum World Congress.
Partnerships are needed to accelerate development
While companies often look at other firms as competitors, private sector leaders pressed collaboration is necessary in progressing the quantum industry.
For example, Booz Allen Hamilton in McLean recently announced an expanded partnership with chip manufacturer SEEQC to boost the scaling of quantum computers.
JD Dulny, the head of quantum at Booz Allen Hamilton, explained the Virginia company will write the software that is used for SEEQC’s computer chips. The goal is for each company to hone in on its strengths and “build partnerships that are additive,” Dulny said on a panel.
“We don’t make chips, and I think we don’t really want to,” Dulny said. “That specialization needs to be like a snowball rolling, where we get better and better and better.”
There also needs to be global collaboration, several speakers noted at the conference — including a leader within the Trump administration.
The US has been working with “allies and international partners” in quantum research, per President Donald Trump’s science and technology advisor Michael Kratsios.
He said the Office of Science and Technology Policy has “regularly convened members of the International quantum community for valuable dialogue,” including a meeting in Japan earlier in September.
“We know adversaries will try to steal our technology and use it against us,” Kratsios said in a recorded message played at the conference. “We can find common sense measures, working with our partners, that empower researchers to secure their work in a manner that will not hinder our ability to out-innovate competitors.”
Officials tout Trump’s quantum priorities while the administration cuts science research
Former President Joe Biden worked with the National Institute of Standards and Technology to outline “Post-Quantum Cryptographic standards” to address concerns about breaking encryptions.
Right before he left office, he also signed an executive order related to cybersecurity, which focused on preparing for threats posed by quantum computing — largely with a focus on regulation and research. Trump eliminated most of that order this summer.
Kratsios from the Trump White House claims the Biden administration was on “autopilot” when it came to quantum. It’s rumored that Trump will soon release an action plan related to quantum, similar to his AI plan from earlier this year.
In Trump’s first term, the administration signed the National Quantum Initiative Act, which outlined workforce development plans and interagency coordination.
But his second term brought significant cuts to science and research funding. Rima Oueid, a senior commercialization executive at the Department of Energy (DOE), noted the agency has awarded grants and prizes to quantum companies in the past, but “going forward with the budgets” leaves things unclear.
Jonathan Bagger, CEO of the American Physical Society, noted the in-flux funding for science from the federal government and Trump’s continuous efforts to cut it.
“Proposals to slash the US science budget, if enacted,” Bagger said, “would cripple fundamental research and slow private sector investment, both here and abroad.”
REad MORe
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