Exports of quantum tech reduced amid security concerns

THE Government is cracking down on exports of quantum computers to foreign buyers amid mounting concerns that the technology could be weaponised by foreign militaries.

Exporters will be banned from selling powerful quantum computers unless they obtain a licence from the start of this month.

The technology has been added to a list of “dual use” items that could have military uses maintained by the Export

Control Joint Unit, which scrutinises sales of sensitive goods.

It comes as both China and Russia make substantial investments in quantum technology as part of what has been described as a global race.

Quantum computers harness the peculiar qualities of quantum physics in a way that could lead them to outpace traditional supercomputers in some areas, such as developing chemicals and cracking secure communications.

A national quantum computer strategy published last year described the technology as being “critically important” for defence and national security and said the UK was in a “global race” to develop it.

The Department for Business and Trade has updated export rules to add multiple technologies related to quantum computers. They include any quantum computer featuring more than 34 “qubits” – a measure of how advanced and powerful quantum computers are.

Google has developed a 70 qubit quantum computer, while IBM has built a machine with 1,121. Several companies have ambitions to build million-qubit computers, which could reshape science by inventing new materials and chemicals, modelling climate change and running advanced AI systems.

James Lindop, of law firm Eversheds Sutherland, said: “Semiconductor and quantum technologies [are] increasingly perceived to be highly strategic and critical to UK national security.

“This will create an additional compliance burden for businesses active in the development and production of the targeted technologies.”