Biden’s AI Executive Order: What It Means for the Future of Quantum Technology

President Joe Biden has recently issued an executive order that aims to ensure that the United States leads the way in seizing the promise and managing the risks of artificial intelligence (AI). The executive order establishes new standards for AI safety and security, protects Americans’ privacy, advances equity and civil rights, stands up for consumers and workers, promotes innovation and competition, advances American leadership around the world, and more.

One of the key aspects of the executive order is its impact on the future of quantum technology, which is a rapidly emerging field that leverages the principles of quantum physics to create novel applications in computing, communication, sensing, and cryptography. Quantum technology has the potential to revolutionize various sectors, such as health care, energy, finance, and defense, by enabling unprecedented speed, accuracy, and security. However, quantum technology also poses significant challenges and risks, such as quantum hacking, quantum supremacy, and quantum arms race, that require careful regulation and oversight.

The executive order addresses some of these challenges and risks by directing the following actions:

• Establish a National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee to provide guidance and recommendations on quantum policy, research, development, and education. The committee will include representatives from academia, industry, civil society, and federal agencies, and will report to the President and Congress on the progress and impact of the National Quantum Initiative, which was launched in 2018 to accelerate quantum innovation in the US.

• Develop a National Quantum Strategy to coordinate and align the efforts of federal agencies, state and local governments, private sector, and international partners to advance quantum technology in a safe, secure, and trustworthy manner. The strategy will include goals, objectives, milestones, and metrics to measure the performance and impact of quantum initiatives, as well as identify the opportunities, challenges, and risks of quantum technology for the US and the world.

• Promote quantum education and workforce development to ensure that the US has a diverse, skilled, and inclusive quantum talent pipeline. The executive order directs the Department of Education to expand quantum education and training opportunities for K-12 students, teachers, and higher education institutions, as well as the Department of Labor to support quantum workforce development and transition programs for workers and employers.

• Enhance quantum research and development to foster innovation and competitiveness in quantum technology. The executive order directs the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and other federal agencies to increase their investments and collaborations in quantum research and development, as well as to support the establishment and operation of quantum research centers, testbeds, and user facilities. The executive order also directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy to coordinate the interagency quantum research and development activities and to facilitate the public-private partnerships and technology transfer in quantum technology.

• Strengthen quantum security and resilience to protect the US and its allies from the threats and vulnerabilities of quantum technology. The executive order directs the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, and other federal agencies to assess and mitigate the risks of quantum technology to the national security, economic security, and public health and safety of the US and its allies. The executive order also directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop and implement quantum security standards, guidelines, and best practices, as well as to conduct quantum security testing and evaluation.

According to some news reports, Obama helped Biden draft the AI executive order by providing guidance and recommendations on AI policy, research, development, and education12. Obama also met with AI industry leaders, congressional leaders, and White House aides to discuss the best ways to regulate and promote AI, as well as to address the national security, economic, and social implications of AI. Obama has been interested in AI since his presidency, when he released a report on how AI could shape the world going forward1. Obama and Biden share a common vision of maximizing the benefits of AI while minimizing the risks, and they agreed that the federal government should take swift action to ensure that AI is developed and used in a safe, secure, and trustworthy manner.