US blacklists Chinese quantum computing developers

The U.S. Department of Commerce has imposed sanctions on about a dozen Chinese technology manufacturers in quantum computing and artificial intelligence, prohibiting American companies from cooperating with them. As reported by Financial Times.

According to the ministry, eight organisations on the expanded sanctions list operate in the field of quantum computing. Among them are QuantumCTek and the Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale. Three subsidiaries of the Chinese firm Corad Technology Limited were also barred, which allegedly sold American technologies to the militaries of Iran and North Korea.

Officials are concerned that the organisations may use the ‘new’ U.S. technologies, which could help in carrying out cyberattacks, in creating ‘unbreakable’ encryption, and in developing defence systems against stealth technologies and submarines.

In total, 27 organisations were added to the list, including 13 Pakistani firms involved in nuclear programmes and the development of ballistic missiles. The Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology was also placed on the list for allegedly developing weapons.

In October, former Pentagon software chief Nicholas Chaillan said that China has already won the race in artificial intelligence over the United States.

He said the United States would not have a competitive edge over China in 15–20 years.

Later in the Pentagon refuted Chaillan’s claim, pointing to the ‘close integration’ of the Department of Defense with the industry and ‘coalition partners’.

In July the U.S. Department of Commerce imposed sanctions on Chinese AI companies for violating Uyghur rights.

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