US Quantum Computing Investment Faces Legality Challenge

The United States government's recent two-billion-dollar investment in quantum computing companies may be illegal. A member of the U.S. Congress argues the funds were improperly allocated. The money was intended for public research in semiconductors, not quantum technology.

One billion dollars of the investment is earmarked for Anderon, a new company. IBM and the government will each contribute one billion dollars to Anderon. This new entity will serve as a foundry for fabricating quantum processing units. It will inherit personnel and intellectual property from IBM.

Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), ranking member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, stated the announcement is illegal. She noted the funds originated from the CHIPS and Science Act. This act specifically allocated money for microelectronics research and development, focusing on semiconductor technology. Quantum processors use technology that only partially overlaps with semiconductors.

Lofgren also highlighted that the act aimed to foster public-private research partnerships. She believes these deals do not align with that purpose. Furthermore, she pointed out that a former IBM executive, Dario Gil, now Under Secretary for Science at the Department of Energy, was involved in the negotiations. This raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

Lofgren clarified that her concern is not about the value of quantum processing technology. She maintains that Congress must specifically allocate funds for such investments. A lawsuit to challenge the deal is a possibility, but it would require a party with legal standing. The legal process could take a long time, potentially after the funds have already been spent.

IBM's in-house materials science and fabrication capabilities have been crucial to its quantum computing advancements. The creation of Anderon, with significant intellectual property and skilled workforce from IBM, could establish a specialized quantum chip manufacturer. This new company might resemble Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), fabricating quantum chips for various firms. However, this move primarily favors transmon-based quantum hardware, potentially limiting support for other qubit technologies.