When I am reborn, I just want to be a top student

Bald Eagle.

As the world's number one superpower, the Bald Eagle is extremely powerful.

This is true from economy, culture to military, education, etc.

Although China has developed rapidly in recent years and is gradually catching up with the bald eagle.

However, the gap between the two is still huge.

In addition, the Bald Eagle has accumulated a lot of technology over the years and has a very solid foundation. At its current level, it can maintain its dominant position for at least a dozen years, or even more.

As the fastest-growing country in the world in recent years, China's growth rate has long attracted the attention of knowledgeable people in the Bald Eagle.

This attention has gradually evolved into vigilance, fear and suppression.

By now, a consensus has been reached within the Bald Eagle, which is to interrupt China's rise.

Information and intelligence related to China are often highly valued by the bald eagle.

Especially some information in the field of high-tech.

Quantum computers are one of them.

Wang Donglai accepted the invitation from Pan Hong, head of the China Quantum Computer Research Institute, to participate in the research and development of China's quantum computer.

This news reached the Bald Eagle immediately.

As information coming from within China, this matter should have been handled by the CIA, NSA and other departments.

However, because of its importance.

With the push of some interested parties, this matter finally appeared in the Pentagon.

As the top department of the Bald Eagle, the Pentagon responded quite quickly and took action immediately.

First, we convened relevant experts from Bald Eagle’s famous quantum computer laboratory to hold a professional meeting.

Pentagon, Information Senior Command Conference Room.

A middle-aged man wearing a Bald Eagle military uniform sat at the head of the huge conference table.

Opposite him, there was a huge screen.

The screen was divided into more than a dozen parts, and a figure appeared in each part.

The meeting mode adopted by Bald Eagle is not an on-site meeting that gathers everyone together, but an online meeting.

If there are relevant practitioners, they will definitely be surprised.

Because among the dozen or so people on this screen is Professor Preskill, a theoretical physicist at California Institute of Technology who has made important contributions to quantum information science.

Some are Michael Nivens, one of the pioneers in the field of quantum computing and author of the standard textbook in the field, Quantum Computation and Quantum Information.

There is also Professor Peter, who is world-famous for proposing the Shor algorithm.

and David Tioth, who is considered one of the founders of quantum computing.

It can be said that it is a gathering of stars and experts.

It has to be said that top experts are top experts.

These experts and scholars who have made tremendous contributions in the academic field still behave normally even when facing people from the Pentagon.

Even some older people are unwilling to even do the superficial work, and directly reveal a hint of dissatisfaction.

Scott looked at the many experts on the screen, as well as the dissatisfaction on the faces of a few of them, without any extra emotion.

As a soldier, he didn't have too many thoughts.

They are also unwilling to focus their attention and energy on these unimportant things.

After everyone was present, Scott began to speak.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have invited you to this meeting today to discuss the development of quantum computers."

"Do you have the confidence to become the first in the field of quantum computers and develop a quantum computer that far surpasses other countries?"

Scott got straight to the point and asked the question directly.

Faced with the question raised by Scott, many experts on the screen fell silent, and some even showed a slight disdain on their faces.

After waiting for a while, no one answered.

Scott's eyes suddenly became sharp and scanned the screen.

Even though the meeting was held across the screen, at this moment, these experts seemed to feel the cold aura coming from Scott.

"Professor John, you are a theoretical physicist at Caltech. You have made important contributions in the field of quantum information science and have profound knowledge in quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum cryptography. Please answer my question."

"With our current accumulation of quantum technology, can we become the world's number one?"

Professor John was suddenly asked this question by Scott and was obviously a little surprised.

Besides the surprise, it was also a bit of a headache.

This question is not easy to answer.

On this occasion, in front of the officials in the Pentagon, any answer given would carry a certain degree of responsibility.

It was precisely because he wanted to understand this that John was unwilling to answer this question.

With a thoughtful look on his face, John hesitated to respond.

Scott's eyes sharpened and moved away from John's face.

The other scholars, noticing Scott's gaze moving over, lowered their heads slightly, with a thoughtful look on their faces.

Of course, there were also a few old guys who were not afraid of Scott and remained the same as before.

"Professor David, I think you should be able to answer this question, right?!"

Finally, Scott turned his attention to an old man with messy hair and asked.

Hearing Scott's question, David scratched his ears, sneered and said, "I remember that as early as ten years ago, I proposed to increase the research and development investment in quantum computers, but was rejected."

“Five years ago, I was going to conduct an experiment on a quantum Turing machine, but that was also rejected.”

“And two years ago, I finally solved a difficult problem in quantum computing, only to have it treated as worthless by ignorant bastards.”

"Now, you ask me whether our quantum computing technology is the best in the world."

“I just think it’s hilarious!”

"If you had agreed to my request earlier, perhaps we would have already developed a quantum computer and become the world's quantum hegemon."

"But now, I don't think it's that simple anymore."

"We do have a great advantage, but this advantage is not immutable and will not last forever." "Whether it is Eastern China or the European countries, they have already made arrangements in the quantum field and made huge investments."

“According to my analysis, we now have a technology lead of three years at most, maybe less.”

“Three years of technological leadership may seem like a long time, but in this field, it’s nothing.”

“Perhaps, all it takes is the emergence of a genius, or a flash of inspiration from a developer, to close the gap, or even surpass it.”

“I think this should be very clear from the papers on quantum fields published in the past two years.”

David's words were not polite, but Scott was not angry.

"So, if you want to be ahead of other countries in the field of quantum computers, what kind of support and conditions do you need to achieve this?"

Scott looked at the people on the screen and asked this question in a serious tone.

As this question was asked, the eyes of everyone on the screen lit up.

He also raised his head from his original state of thinking, and looked at Scott with sharp eyes.

Even the professors who had originally shown a hint of disdain became moved at this moment.

What researchers fear most is a lack of support from above.

After all, not all research can be done with just a pen and a piece of paper like mathematics.

The research and development of quantum computers requires large amounts of data and sophisticated equipment and instruments.

The basis of these things is a large amount of capital.

That's why everyone got so excited when Scott asked this question.

However, scholars who can achieve this level of academic achievement in Bald Eagle are all smart people.

While being excited, I also remain calm and rational.

"If you want to be the first to develop it, it's not that difficult, you just need a certain amount of financial support. But if you want to lead the world and achieve quantum supremacy, then the investment will be huge."

"I don't think I need to say much about the superiority of quantum computers. I think everyone should know it."

"The status of quantum supremacy requires a very high level of technological leadership, which must be supported by absolutely leading technology, so it requires a massive amount of capital investment. Only in this way can we really achieve this!"

"..."

Scott's expression didn't change much as he listened to everyone's answers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is not the Congress. This is not the place for you to apply for a budget."

“We can’t provide any financial support!”

When everyone heard Scott say this, their expressions changed and became a little ugly.

However, just a second later, Scott spoke again.

“Although we cannot provide support in terms of research funding, we can provide support in other areas.”

"For example, we can provide certain data information and build a platform for you to share data and exchange technology."

“Divide a big project into several small plans, and then let each company complete the breakthrough.”

"How long do you think it will take to complete the plan if we do this?"

To be honest, everyone was a little disappointed.

Because the support conditions are not that good.

However, no one was too disappointed.

It is actually quite good to have such support.

Those who are invited by Scott are professionals who have achieved many achievements in the field of quantum computing.

The laboratory behind it has actually accumulated quite a few achievements.

If data sharing and technical exchange can really be achieved, it will greatly accelerate the research and development of quantum computers.

In fact, this idea has not been unthought of by anyone.

But there is no organization that can do this.

Now that the Pentagon is willing to step up, the situation is different.

John, who was reluctant to answer the question before, raised his head with a determined look and said to Scott: "If this can really be done, I am confident that I can design a quantum computing prototype with 100 quantum bits by next year."

Even Scott was a little surprised to hear John say this, let alone the other experts.

"John, are you telling the truth?"

David asked with a hint of anxiety on his face.

John said with pride: "Of course what I said is true, but the premise is that we can really share data and exchange technology."

"In fact, a quantum prototype with 100 qubits is not that difficult. There are just a few problems that have been bothering me. If I can do this, I believe I can overcome it!"

A thoughtful look appeared on David's face, but he said nothing more.

Scott glanced at John, then at David.

His eyes flashed, and he made a decision, saying, "Okay, it's settled."

"Also, I have another question. I want to know, in your opinion, what is the possibility that China can develop a quantum computer?"

Faced with this question, everyone immediately started to answer.

"Although China's scientific and technological foundation is weak, it has accumulated considerable professional talents and technologies over the years. Although quantum computers are cutting-edge technology, China's huge population and terrifying education system can cultivate a group of talents if a large amount of investment is made. I think China should be able to design a rough prototype within five years."

"I have paid attention to the papers of experts in related fields in China. From their papers, I don't think they have the ability to do it. Not to mention five years, even ten years may not be enough."

"China's scientific research and technology have always been weak, there is no doubt about that. As a technological catching-up country, they have a lot of homework to make up for. They need to invest talent and funds in research and development in all aspects. In addition, China is a developing country and its economy is not as good as ours, so the research funds allocated to quantum computers may be only a fraction of ours. So I don't think their research and development is much of a threat, but we have to pay attention to one thing, that is, China's ability to plagiarize."

"It is true. Often, the technological breakthroughs we make with huge investments are immediately copied by China. This is true for everything from business models to technical patents. I am worried that as soon as we make a breakthrough in quantum computers, China will copy it."

"I have a different opinion. I think China's quantum computer may not be delayed that long. You know, Wang Donglai from China has joined the quantum computer research and development project. With his mathematical talent, he can definitely help China's quantum computer research team avoid many detours and solve many problems. Maybe their research and development speed will not be much slower than ours."

"Indeed! China's artificial intelligence technology level is already in the top tier in the world. The artificial intelligence mobile assistant provided by Galaxy Technology to Chinese smartphone brands has surpassed the intelligence level of Apple. Only a few laboratories have such a level of intelligent technology, so Wang Donglai's joining will have a huge impact."

"I think that the Chinese quantum computer research team without Wang Donglai is not a threat, but if Wang Donglai is there, it will be a big threat."

Everyone started discussing it one by one.

Scott listened to everyone's answers and did not respond, but listened silently.

His eyes flickered, as if he was thinking about something. (End of this chapter)