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Quantum computing is an emerging technology that seeks to exploit the laws of quantum mechanics to process information with unprecedented speed and efficiency.

Given the rate of advancement in quantum technologies over the past few years, experts in industry and academia expect that—in the next several decades, if not sooner— quantum computers will outperform today’s most powerful computers by a wide margin.

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Quantum computers will play an important role in simulating and optimizing complex systems—including in drug development, logistics, and forecasting—with profound economic implications.

One of the clearest and most worrisome applications of this computing power is that it could break the existing encryption protocols that keep our information systems and critical datasets safe. This poses a significant national security threat for any country.

Quantum Computing Inequality

Yet like many advanced technologies, quantum technology development mirrors global inequality. The capital costs to build a quantum computer are immense. Only a handful of quantum computers are under development, owned by some of the world’s largest technology firms. Wealthy governments, too, are competing for superiority in quantum technologies, and public investments and startup activity in North America, China, and Europe dominate the landscape.

The threats and opportunities posed by the emergence of quantum technologies will be felt globally. Without concerted intervention in several key areas, this existing global inequality will amplify over time. While the benefits of quantum technologies will accrue to developed countries, the opportunity costs and risks will accrue to less developed countries.

3 Quantum Computing Recommendations

The Quantum Futures: Making Quantum Computing Work for International Development report focuses on three areas where strategic and foundational interventions today could enable a more inclusive and equitable quantum computing future. These areas—cybersecurity, workforce development, and research and development—are already key priorities for USAID and other organizations in global development.

This portfolio could be adjusted to ensure this work takes into account the unique challenges that quantum computing poses. The following recommendations illustrate concrete steps that development organizations, policymakers, and institutions must consider to remain resilient and secure in the post-quantum era:

1. Quantum Computing and Cybersecurity

Current encryption protocols used for messaging, financial transactions, and data storage will be compromised with the advent of quantum computers. This threatens existing financial and encrypted messaging systems.

Cybersecurity is the sector for which quantum computing will have the most obvious and tangible impact, and USAID and other development agencies should play a role in helping governments and the private sector transition to quantum computing-resistant cryptographic protocols.

As this research shows, investments in cybersecurity cannot wait until after the development of functional quantum computers; instead, investments must be made now to be prepared. Our key recommendations are: ƒ

• In partnership with relevant technical experts, USAID should develop a “Quantum Risk Audit” protocol and engage governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to proactively conduct the audits on existing digital infrastructure. ƒ
• USAID should establish a “Global Quantum Transition Taskforce” that supports governments and NGOs in LMICs to transition to quantum-safe encryption protocols. ƒ
• USAID should strengthen the cybersecurity capacity of the public sector in LMICs by supporting technical experts to work with USAID Missions in partner countries. USAID already supports capacity-building efforts through the Digital APEX program, and this work should be sustained and expanded to meet the needs of the post-quantum era. ƒ
• USAID should work with ministries of technology or digital transformation to promote public awareness of cybersecurity risks from quantum computing in the next decade.

2. Quantum Computing in Workforce Development

Talent required to accelerate progress in quantum computing remains in short supply in both developed and developing countries. However, developing countries will face much stronger headwinds without improvement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning outcomes at the secondary and post-secondary levels.

Low levels of digital literacy also make citizens in these countries more vulnerable to cybersecurity risks. We discuss how USAID and other development agencies can play roles in building an ecosystem of workforce development, from investing in better STEM learning outcomes to supporting upskilling programs to meet the talent needs of the quantum computing transition.

Our key recommendations are: ƒ

• USAID should support universities in LMICs to launch new master’s programs in quantum computing and new MS/MBA programs through a new “Quantum Workforce Development” grant. ƒ
• USAID should fund pilots to evaluate the effectiveness of bootcamps in upskilling the current STEM workforce for jobs in quantum computing. ƒ
• USAID should support awareness campaigns and scholarships that promote the promise of quantum computing to attract talented youth in developing countries to pursue careers in quantum computing and adjacent fields.

3. Global Quantum Computing Research

Research and development in quantum computing has been driven by public investments in developed countries and through startup activity predominantly centered in North America, China, and Europe. Combined with the skilled labor gap in developing countries, this has worrying long-term implications for global development.

Failing to implement proactive measures to strengthen quantum research and development may significantly exacerbate economic inequality. We discuss how development agencies can support research and innovation in quantum computing by facilitating greater collaboration between researchers in the United States and countries where USAID operates.

Existing USAID programs like Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) have been supporting scientists and engineers in USAID partner countries. This can be leveraged to build global partnerships for quantum computing research in developing countries.

USAID can also act as an investor for quantum computing startups that focus on key development challenges through funding programs like Development Innovation Ventures. Our key recommendations are: ƒ

• USAID should leverage existing USAID programs like PEER to support collaboration between U.S.-based quantum researchers and their LMIC counterparts. ƒ
• USAID should provide grants to selected universities in developing countries to launch interdisciplinary programs in quantum computing. The grants can support establishment costs and early faculty hires to attract top talent. ƒ
• USAID should fund an annual “Quantum Computing for Development” conference or create such a track at an existing technology and international development conference; this will seed new collaborations between researchers, industry experts, and policymakers.

We Should Invest in Quantum Computing

While the trajectory that quantum computing will take in the next decade is uncertain, development practitioners and agencies should make sound investments that can mitigate risks from this new technology and enable developing countries to leverage its potential.

Even if quantum computing develops along a different trajectory than currently anticipated, acting on these recommendations will strengthen digital ecosystems in developing countries and will therefore be worth the investment.

A lightly edited synopsis of Quantum Futures: Making Quantum Computing Work for International Development from the Research Technical Assistance Center and featuring an image from ChatGPT showing a multicultural group of diverse individuals engaged in a spirited and focused discussion exploring quantum computing in international development.