The commission, convened by the Ministries of Science and Interior, delivered a total of 15 proposals to serve as a foundation for public policy development and a plan to strengthen the growth of this field in the country.
After four months of work, a commission of experts, comprising representatives from academic, public, and business sectors across the country, submitted the technical report on quantum technology commissioned by the Ministries of Science and Interior. The document presents 15 recommendations aimed at establishing a national plan to harness the opportunities that quantum technologies offer in various productive and academic areas.
Quantum technologies encompass a range of tools and devices that leverage the principles of quantum mechanics to create new developments based on atomic and subatomic scale elements. Currently, their applications could transform the use of computers, information processing, cybersecurity, and even disease treatment, with global investments in this market projected to reach hundreds of billions of dollars by 2040.
“In Chile, there are some commercial companies and universities that have acquired quantum computers. There is infrastructure to conduct proof-of-concept trials; for instance, messages have been sent through quantum communication channels, and teams have worked on this for many years. However, there is a need for more coordination to bring together people with common interests and engage more individuals to achieve a wider impact,” says Dr. Claudio Torres, one of the eight commission members and an academic at Federico Santa María University.
The researcher, who is also part of the Valparaíso Science and Technology Center (CCTVal), believes that establishing state policies in this field, with a defined work plan and roadmaps, could give the country a competitive advantage, similar to what has been achieved in the field of astronomical observation.
“Just as Chile is a leader in astronomy due to the infrastructure created, we could say there is potential to develop quantum capabilities, and our country could be a favorable place to offer this, not only because of the physical spaces but also due to the technical and human capacities available for development, maintenance, and collaboration at various levels,” he comments.
The Recommendations
The document’s main goal is to propose action lines for defining a national strategy that, on the one hand, strengthens the existing work to make it sustainable over time and, on the other, involves more stakeholders such as academia, the state, the public, and businesses, thus advancing quantum technology to competitive levels.
Among the experts’ proposals is the development of a regulatory framework for these technologies, as well as appropriate institutional structures, including a National Commission for Quantum Technologies and a promotional unit within the current National Research and Development Agency (ANID). Additionally, the group recommends establishing a plan to incorporate Chile into the global ecosystem and market of this technology.
The report also emphasizes the need to create advanced laboratories and infrastructure and implement financing programs and talent attraction and retention initiatives. This would enable the fulfillment of other recommendations suggested by the document, such as promoting the development of solutions based on quantum technologies, the adoption of these technologies by strategic sectors, and support for the creation of startups and new companies.
Another aspect of the proposal is to promote public education in the field of quantum technology, especially because its applications, far from being purely academic, could have a real impact on the population.
“We need to create applications that can have a practical impact beyond theoretical research. Existing infrastructure needs to be strengthened to create more businesses and allow quantum technology to be applied, for example, in mining, solving common logistical or large-scale planning problems. Scholarships and funding should also be established so that new talents can study and later apply their knowledge in research centers and companies, successfully nurturing the ecosystem,” adds Torres.
The academic also values the initiative of the ministries at a time when quantum technology is on the rise, emphasizing that it should be addressed as a long-term effort.
“When academia is connected with industry through state mechanisms, and efforts are collectively oriented toward achieving an impact and benefit for the public, it is very valuable. However, the results will need to be evaluated in the years to come. The idea is for this to be a state-led initiative that transcends individual governments, becoming a country-wide effort,” he concludes.