🔄 Why Alibaba Hit Pause on Quantum Computing

Unraveling China's Tech Titans' Unexpected Pivot

"Quantum" and "computing" — two bonafide hype words for the twenty-first-century world.

Put the two words together — "quantum computing" — and you get hype climbing through the roof!

Naturally, a handful of advanced countries are all aboard the quantum computing train - even India, as evident from its National Quantum Mission, which received the Cabinet nod and a Rs 6,000 crore allocation for seven years in 2023.

China, of course, is not one to get left behind. It was early to all things quantum - including quantum computing.

But then, here's something strange: Two Chinese technology powerhouses have curiously pulled back their quantum computing efforts of late.

In only the last 2-3 months, both Baidu and Alibaba have shuttered their years-long efforts, reportedly donating their quantum computing labs and related equipment, as well as letting go of teams working on the technology.

Various factors could be at play in this private Chinese retreat.

It's the subject of a technology column in Swarajya today.

Give it a read, it'll only take a handful of minutes: https://swarajyamag.com/technology/chinas-quantum-computing-retreat-whats-behind-technology-giants-alibaba-and-baidu-scaling-back-efforts

Karan Kamble