The United States is lagging behind China by a decade in quantum computing, a crucial technology for military applications such as cryptography, artificial intelligence, and simulations of advanced defense systems. According to Theresa Melvin, chief technology officer at Aerospike, this gap exists because China never fought a war on terror, allowing it to focus on developing its quantum capabilities.
The implications are significant, as Chinese scientists have reportedly harnessed computing power to break military-grade encryption, although this claim has been debunked. Tung Ho, director of the Center for Intelligence, Research and Analysis at Exovera, warns that if China can break encryption, all classified US material will be accessible to them.
At a recent panel discussion on AI, machine learning, and quantum computing at TechNet Indo-Pacific, experts emphasized the need to rapidly deploy these technologies, particularly in the context of strategic competition with China. Companies such as Raft, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Two Six Technologies are working to develop reliable AI systems that prioritize ethics values over policy and legal requirements.
The Quantum Computing Gap: US Trails China by a Decade
The United States has been lagging behind China in quantum computing for approximately a decade, according to Theresa Melvin, chief technology officer for high-performance computing and artificial intelligence (AI) at Aerospike. This significant gap is attributed to China’s unwavering focus on developing its quantum capabilities, unhindered by the distractions of fighting a war on terror.
Quantum computing leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to perform complex calculations exponentially faster than classical computers. This technology has far-reaching implications for military applications, including cryptography, AI, and advanced defense systems and strategies simulations. The potential breakthroughs in these areas could significantly impact the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region.
China’s advancements in quantum computing have sparked concerns about its ability to break military-grade encryption. Although a recent claim by a Chinese daily that scientists had harnessed computing power to break such encryption was later debunked, it is widely recognized that Beijing has an advantage over the United States in this field. Tung Ho, director of the Center for Intelligence, Research and Analysis at Exovera, emphasized the gravity of this situation, stating that if China were able to break the encryption, all classified material would be accessible to them.
AI Development: A Strategic Competition with China
The strategic competition between the United States and China extends beyond quantum computing to artificial intelligence (AI) development. While the US has an advantage in AI development, China views AI as a central element in its battlefield rivalry with the US. Beijing is investing heavily to bridge this disadvantage, recognizing the critical role AI plays in modern warfare.
Speakers at the TechNet Indo-Pacific conference emphasized that superiority in command and control is not solely dependent on weapon systems but rather on the data that drives them. Trey Coleman, chief product officer at Raft, stressed the importance of leveraging AI to make faster decisions, which would be crucial in a conflict with China. He urged the need to start training AI models now to ensure readiness.
The Importance of Reliable AI Systems
The US armed forces are keenly aware of the need for reliable AI systems in mission-critical spaces. Ed Barnabas, vice president and Indo-Pacific CTO at Booz Allen Hamilton, highlighted the importance of defining the highest level of development and use of AI that prioritizes ethics values over policy and legal requirements. This approach aims to prevent harm by ensuring transparency, accountability, and continuous human oversight.
Barnabas framed AI as a societal responsibility, warning against blind trust in AI without proper checks. He emphasized that developers must be transparent and accountable to ensure the responsible development of AI systems.
Data Quality and Ethics: Key Considerations for AI Development
Rebecca Fair, information advantage senior vice president at Two Six Technologies, underscored the importance of data quality in AI development. She noted that many are focused on integrating different data sets and creating a common language to facilitate effective AI applications.
The panel “AI/ML as a Warfighting Advantage” at TechNet Indo-Pacific emphasized the need for ethics values to guide AI development. This approach recognizes that not all AI needs to be cutting-edge to be effective, but rather that it must be developed with transparency, accountability, and a commitment to preventing harm.
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