Technology Innovation and Great Power Competition,TIGPC, Gordian knot Center, DIME-FIL, department of defense, dod, intlpol 340, joe felter, ms&e296, raj shah, stanford, Steve blank, AI, ML, AI/ML, china, Quantum

1. The Quantum Tech Problem
Problem Statement V1
China’s planned government
investment in quantum dwarfs
that of the U.S. by a factor of 10.
Problem Statement V4
The US quantum ecosystem does
not generate enough awareness of
opportunities to pursue careers in
quantum that could catalyze
industry growth.
30+
Bethanie Maples Brett Bornhoft Matt Kaplan Reed V.
Survey Responses
Interviews
235+

2. We had a lot of questions…
● What the hell is quantum and what are qubits?
● How many qubits are actually important?
● What can be done today with the current quantum
computers?
● Can allies do more?
● What do companies need?
● What do labs need?
● Should we, can we, simulate the centralized
approach that China has?
● What other quantum technologies exist? (sensors,
communication, etc…)
● How are algorithms different and how will these
computers function? Hybrid CPU/QPU?

3. Weeks 1 - 3: We searched for answers to these questions
Quantum
Technologies
Quantum Sensors
Quantum Computing
Quantum Information
/ Communications
● Encryption Breaking
● Optimization (ML/AI)
● Quantum chemistry
○ Materials
○ Pharma
● Cryptography
● Clock sync
● Networking
● Sensing
● Timing
● Imaging
What we learned: quantum has huge implications for science, security,
communication, and things we haven’t discovered

4. A closer look also revealed that the $ issue is complex
*QURECA March 10, 2022
But…
The Chinese government invests
more in quantum*
There are different leaders for different
parts of the industry
● The figure on the left also tells us nothing about private investment
● The US and its allies combined almost match Chinese government investment

5. Weeks 4-5: We explored joining forces with allies
1. We searched the
world for experts in
technology alliances
and quantum
computing
partnerships
2. We found
those people,
and read their
documents, and
interviewed
them.
3. The proposed tech
agreements were wide
ranching and in our
opinion, unlikely to align
the quantum industry in
the timeline we desired
(<5 years).
4. We asked multiple
founders and CEOs in
the quantum space
what would motivate
collaboration and
allyship. They said a
national grand
challenge would work.

6. Weeks 4-7: But we’re also hearing this is a talent issue
“Academic faculties only have a limited
number of quantum compute professors
with minimal labs”
“Not only are we lacking in specific
quantum computing expertise, but
we also need engineers with
cryogenic fluid backgrounds,
electronics, etc…., not necessarily
needing all Ph.D.’s”
“We need not only physicists to work
on quantum hardware but computer
security folks to work on quantum
communications and post-quantum
cryptography.”
“You don’t need a PhD to work with
quantum. There are lots of different
things to do in quantum even if you don’t
understand quantum mechanics.”
We talked to…
● Executives at major quantum companies (Rigetti, Google, QCWare, PsiQuantum, etc.)
● VCs and institutional investors (Founders Fund, Morgan Stanley)
● PhDs and researchers (Stanford, MIT Quanta, GIT)
● Government policy and researchers (White House OSTP, AFRL Information Dir, DOE Brookhaven NL)
● Higher ed admin (Stanford Fin Aid, Stanford Dept. of Physics)

7. Week 7: Maybe the market can’t recruit talent
But quantum companies pay well… and the industry is growing…exponentially
There doesn’t seem to be a market problem,
so what’s going on here?
Well…what does the talent pipeline think?
Source: indeed.com

8. Weeks 8-9: We surveyed over 235 STEM students
● How much do students know about quantum technologies, quantum careers?
● What motivates students to choose different problems to work on in school
and after graduation?
● How do different institutional approaches to quantum engineering affect
student awareness?
80% undergrad
20% graduate
> 10 engineering fields
(majority from physics, CS,
and mechanical engineering)
Stanford, MIT,
Georgia Tech

9. We wanted to see what students care about
Students care about impact and salary, and very few are outright
opposed to the idea of working in quantum. Quantum offers both
impact and good salaries…what’s going on here?
73.7%
17.4%
22.9%
48.7%
47%
28.8%
27.5%
59.7%
9.3%
4.7%
If a recruiter called you to invite you to work at their
Quantum company, what would convince you to work
there (check the top three)?
What motivates you regarding your chosen
academic track? (Please select your top three)
69.5%
80.5%
6.8%
41.9%
26.7%
24.2%
22%

10. What students don’t know can hurt US national security
94.1% of STEM students who took our survey have heard of quantum
computing…. but …
Are you aware of opportunities to work in the
quantum technology industry?
Have you considered pursuing an education
related to a Quantum Technology?

11. Students don’t know what quantum is or how they could participate
There is “no money” in quantum, a “lack of opportunities” in the field
Quantum companies mainly seek people who study physics and math
Quantum is “what Jane Street does” and where math majors “sellout”
The quantum industry lacks job security
It is unclear “what the work would be”

12. Students don’t know what quantum is or how they could participate
There is “no money” in quantum, a “lack of opportunities” in the field
Quantum companies mainly seek people who study physics and math
Quantum is “what Jane Street does” and where math majors “sellout”
The quantum industry lacks job security
It is unclear “what the work would be”
This is a market communication problem

13. We propose a Quantum University Technology Initiative
Grand Challenges /
Competitions
● Sponsored by gov’t and
industry
● Marketable events to
excite new talent
Scholarships /
Fellowships
● Targeted funding for all
higher education levels
with focus on quantum
technologies
● Required internships
each summer with
quantum tech company
Marketing / Educational
Programming
● Remove the stigma that
quantum is “too-hard”
● Focus on educating
STEM students on
quantum
Working with OSTP to:
● Provide memo on workforce development program – NSTC, OSTP want surveys like this
● Expand survey to different schools and analyze different responses

14. Questions