Wsj: quantum computing companies in Trump's crosshairs - but the US government denies it
Indiscretion in the US newspaper: the federal administration wants to become a shareholder in companies engaged in the sector. But a government spokesman: 'we are not negotiating'
by Lorenzo Pace
The US government is looking with interest at quantum computing companies. After buying 10 per cent of Intel, the leading semiconductor manufacturer, for almost nine billion last August, now the Trump administration could become a shareholder in other groups.
According to the Wall Street Journal, there are national security issues underlying the government's interest. Not only that, because this will 'create new opportunities for scientific discovery'.
Five companies are named: IonQ, Rigetti Computing and D-Wave Quantum, which are reportedly "currently in negotiations with the government on potential funding agreements, with minimum awards of ten million dollars each". Then, Quantum Computing Inc. and Atom Computing, which are "considering similar agreements".
An arrangement that would be positive according to the companies. For some, even 'exciting', so that the government can have 'systems that can solve increasingly difficult issues and companies get a return on their investment'. For others, however, the potential risks of influencing their operations will have to be taken into account.
At the moment, however, there is no agreement. And indeed, although the Wsj reports that negotiations are underway, the Department of Commerce spokesman told the Cnbc that 'the government is not negotiating'.
