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DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative Enters 'Prove It' Stage, Validating Quantum Computing's Value

DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative Enters 'Prove It' Stage, Validating Quantum Computing's Value

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has advanced its Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) to Stage C, a critical 'prove it' phase that requires quantum computing companies to demonstrate the real-world value and performance of their systems. This stage mandates independent verification of quantum hardware against a common set of metrics, focusing on the cost-to-solution for significant problems. According to Dr. Rick Muller, Chief Scientist at IonQ Federal, DARPA's QBI aims to determine if the substantial investments in quantum technologies are yielding computational value that outweighs their cost. IonQ, a participant in the initiative, has highlighted its record gate fidelities, 'walking cat' architecture, and cryptographic resource modeling as key elements in its path toward fault tolerance, which will be crucial for demonstrating utility-scale systems by 2033.

U.S. Senators Young and Luján Co-Chair Commission Urging Sustained Investment in Quantum Technology

U.S. Senators Young and Luján Co-Chair Commission Urging Sustained Investment in Quantum Technology

The Commission on U.S. Quantum Primacy (CUSP), co-chaired by U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) and U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), has released its preliminary report, 'Defining the American Quantum Era.' The report emphasizes the critical need for the United States to move beyond scientific leadership in quantum research and develop the capacity to deploy and manufacture quantum technologies at scale. According to the report, while the U.S. currently holds an advantage in quantum research and deployed quantum computing systems, this position is not uniform across all quantum technologies. A key concern highlighted is China's strategic prioritization of quantum technology, backed by significant public investment, which is enabling them to transition from demonstration to infrastructure in areas like quantum networking. Sen. Young stated, "America's quantum science is the envy of the world, but discoveries in the lab only matter if they reach the field, the factory, and the warfighter." The report identifies near...

Rigetti Reports Improved Fidelity on 108-Qubit System, Secures $100 Million CHIPS Act Funding

Rigetti Reports Improved Fidelity on 108-Qubit System, Secures $100 Million CHIPS Act Funding

Rigetti Computing, Inc. has announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026, alongside significant technological milestones. The company reported achieving 99.5% median two-qubit fidelity on its 108-qubit Cepheus-1-108Q system, validating its chiplet-based architecture for scaling superconducting quantum computers. This system is composed of twelve interconnected 9-qubit chiplets. Rigetti also secured a definitive agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce for up to $100 million in funding under the CHIPS Research and Development Office Broad Agency Announcement, part of the CHIPS Act. This funding will support three key research and development programs: miniaturized readout electronics, expanded cryogenic capacity through a new cryostat architecture, and fabrication capabilities for high-connectivity chip architectures. As a condition of the award, the Department of Commerce received a minority, non-controlling equity stake in Rigetti.

U.S. Department of Energy Funds Quantum Computing Development to Address AI's Energy Consumption

U.S. Department of Energy Funds Quantum Computing Development to Address AI's Energy Consumption

The United States Department of Energy (DoE) is investing $215 million to accelerate the development of reliable quantum computers, aiming to position the U.S. as a leader in this emerging technology. This initiative is partly driven by the escalating energy demands of artificial intelligence (AI), with global electricity generation for data centers projected to exceed 1,000 terawatt-hours by 2030. Experts suggest that quantum computing could offer a more energy-efficient solution for specific AI workloads, potentially reducing the massive power consumption associated with large language models. The DoE has launched the Quantum Genesis Q Competition, inviting proposals for quantum computers with at least 100 logical qubits capable of fault-tolerant operations. Additionally, the Quantum High-Performance Computing Validation and Verification Testbed Lab Call seeks proposals from national laboratories to develop tools for verifying the performance of fault-tolerant quantum computers.

D-Wave Secures $100 Million CHIPS Act Funding, Reports Q3 2026 Revenue Increase

D-Wave Secures $100 Million CHIPS Act Funding, Reports Q3 2026 Revenue Increase

D-Wave Secures $100 Million CHIPS Act Funding, Reports Q3 2026 Revenue Increase

Lithuanian and Polish Government Systems Hit by Cyberattacks

Lithuanian and Polish Government Systems Hit by Cyberattacks

Government systems in Lithuania and Poland have recently experienced cyberattacks. On the evening of November 10, Lithuania's customs information system detected signs of unauthorized activity within its infrastructure. The incident has since been contained, and authorities are currently assessing its scale and potential consequences. Security measures have been implemented, and as of now, there are no confirmed cases of data integrity breaches. As a precautionary measure, access to the unified customs portal for individuals and small businesses has been suspended, though systems for customs representatives remain operational. Concurrently, Poland's ePUAP government system, an electronic public services platform, also reported an attack. Similar to Lithuania, no data leaks or significant damage have been reported in Poland.

German Military Bans Chinese-Made Drones Citing Data Security Concerns

German Military Bans Chinese-Made Drones Citing Data Security Concerns

The German military has implemented a ban on the use of Chinese-made drones, including for training purposes, and is actively replacing them with European models. This decision, announced by the Defense Ministry on November 11, stems from concerns over data and IT security. The ministry stated that existing Chinese-made systems will be phased out and substituted with products from domestic or European sources. This move follows a previous strategy from 2024 that allowed local commanders to purchase drones from a 'white list,' which included several models from China-based DJI, the world's largest drone manufacturer. Due to the lack of a centralized record of purchases by individual units, the military has imposed a blanket ban to ensure compliance and mitigate potential security risks.

Nvidia Board Addresses CEO Jensen Huang's Future Amid Allegations of Affairs and Suspected Chinese Spy Involvement

Nvidia Board Addresses CEO Jensen Huang's Future Amid Allegations of Affairs and Suspected Chinese Spy Involvement

Nvidia Board Addresses CEO Jensen Huang's Future Amid Allegations of Affairs and Suspected Chinese Spy Involvement

Diraq Deploys Silicon Spin Quantum Computer in Commercial Data Center, Targets Pharmaceutical Drug Discovery

Diraq Deploys Silicon Spin Quantum Computer in Commercial Data Center, Targets Pharmaceutical Drug Discovery

Diraq Deploys Silicon Spin Quantum Computer in Commercial Data Center, Targets Pharmaceutical Drug Discovery

IonQ and Carahsoft Partner to Expand Quantum Technology Access for U.S. Public Sector

IonQ and Carahsoft Partner to Expand Quantum Technology Access for U.S. Public Sector

IonQ, a leading quantum computing company, has announced a strategic partnership with Carahsoft Technology Corp., a government IT solutions provider. This collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of quantum computing, networking, sensing, and security technologies across U.S. Federal agencies and their industry partners. Under the agreement, Carahsoft will serve as IonQ's Public Sector distributor, facilitating the procurement of IonQ's quantum technology by government agencies through Carahsoft's extensive reseller network and existing government contracts. This partnership aligns with the U.S. Federal Government's increased commitment to quantum innovation, as outlined in Executive Order 14413, which directs a government-wide strategy to advance quantum commercialization and deployment. The initiative seeks to streamline procurement processes and support national security objectives by expanding federal access to emerging quantum solutions. IonQ's full-stack quantum platform offers integrated soluti...

Megaspeed, firm central to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's scandal, pledges to cooperate with US probe

Megaspeed, firm central to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's scandal, pledges to cooperate with US probe

Megaspeed, the Singapore-headquartered tech company at the center of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s scandal, has pledged to cooperate with a U.S. investigation into concerns over risks to national security

Germany Bans Chinese Drones and Vehicles from Military Installations Citing Data Security Concerns

Germany Bans Chinese Drones and Vehicles from Military Installations Citing Data Security Concerns

Germany's Bundeswehr has implemented an immediate ban on off-the-shelf Chinese drones, including DJI models, from all military installations, ordering units to ground existing devices. Additionally, soldiers owning cars manufactured by Chinese brands such as BYD, Geely, and NIO must park them outside base perimeters and enter on foot. This decision follows documented findings by Germany's Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) indicating that data was being siphoned from drones used by the armed forces. A parallel incident in Norway, where Chinese-made Deepal rental vehicles recorded sensitive military exercise footage, further underscored the urgency. This move aligns Germany with a growing coalition, including Poland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, which have taken similar measures to restrict Chinese technology in sensitive military contexts.