However, Chinese investment in quantum technology in the same period expanded from US$300 million to an estimated US$13 billion<\/a>.<\/p>\n The leaders of the two nations, Joe Biden<\/a> and Xi Jinping<\/a> have both emphasized the importance of quantum technology as a critical national securitytool in recent years.<\/p>\n The US federal government has established a \u201cthree pillars model<\/a>\u201d of quantum research, under which federal investment is split between civilian, defense, and intelligence agencies.<\/p>\n In China, information on quantum security programs is more opaque, but the People\u2019s Liberation Army is known to be supporting quantum research<\/a> through its own military science academies as well as extensive funding programs into the broader scientific community.<\/p>\n Advances in quantum computing could result in a leap in artificial intelligence and machine learning<\/a>.<\/p>\n This could improve the performance of lethal autonomous weapons systems (which can select and engage targets without human oversight). It would also make it easier to analyze the large data sets used in defense intelligence and cyber security.<\/p>\n Improved machine learning may also confer a major advantage in carrying out (and defending against) cyber attacks on both civilian and military infrastructure.<\/p>\n The most powerful current quantum computer<\/a> (as far as we know) is made by the US company IBM, which works closely<\/a> with US defense and intelligence.<\/p>\n Quantum communication systems can be completely secure and unhackable. Quantum communication is also required for networking quantum computers, which is expected to enhance quantum computational power exponentially.<\/p>\n China is the clear global leader here. A quantum communication network using ground and satellite connections already links Beijing, Shanghai, Jinan, and Heifei<\/a>.<\/p>\n China\u2019s prioritization of secure quantum communications is likely linked to revelations of US covert global surveillance operations<\/a>. The US has been by far the most advanced and effective communications, surveillance, and intelligence power for the past 70 years \u2013 but that could change with a successful Chinese effort.<\/p>\n Quantum computing and communications hold out the promise of future advantage, but the quantum technology closest to military deployment today is quantum sensing.<\/p>\n New quantum sensing systems offer more sensitive detection and measurement of the physical environment. Existing stealth systems, including the latest generation of warplanes and ultra-quiet nuclear submarines, may no longer be so hard to spot.<\/p>\n Superconducting quantum interference devices (or SQUIDs), which can make extremely sensitive measurements of magnetic fields, are expected to make it easier to detect submarines underwater<\/a> in the near future.<\/p>\n At present, undetectable submarines armed with nuclear missiles are regarded as an essential deterrent against nuclear war<\/a> because they could survive an attack on their home country and retaliate against the attacker. Networks of more advanced SQUIDs could make these submarines more detectable (and vulnerable) in the future, upsetting the balance of nuclear deterrence and the logic of mutually assured destruction.<\/p>\n The US is integrating quantum cooperation agreements into existing alliances such as NATO, as well as into more recent strategic arrangements such as the Australia\u2013UK\u2013US AUKUS security pact and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (\u201cthe Quad\u201d) between Australia, India, Japan, and the US.<\/p>\n China already cooperates with Russia<\/a> in many areas of technology, and events may well propel closer quantum cooperation.<\/p>\n In the Cold War between the US and the USSR, nuclear weapons were the transformative technology. International standards and agreements<\/a> were developed to regulate them and ensure some measure of safety and predictability.<\/p>\n In much the same way, new accords and arrangements will be needed as the quantum arms race heats up.Artificial intelligence and machine learning<\/h2>\n
Unhackable communication<\/h2>\n
More powerful sensors<\/h2>\n
New technologies, new arrangements<\/h2>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/179482\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\")
<\/p>\n