At the TechNet Indo-Pacific conference in Hawaii, Theresa Melvin, the chief technology officer of AI firm Aerospike, claimed that China is about a decade ahead of the US in quantum technology. This assertion arose during a panel focused on artificial intelligence in warfare, where she suggested that China's advantage stems from its significant investment in quantum research, reportedly over $15 billion compared to approximately $3 billion in the US. Melvin argues that China has focused on quantum advancements due to not engaging in a war on terror. However, the comparison between US and Chinese quantum capabilities remains contentious, as metrics like funding do not directly correlate with scientific progress. A report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation indicates that while China excels in quantum communications, it lags in quantum computing, an area where the US leads, particularly in security-related technologies. Overall, while China's efforts in quantum research are formidable, evidence suggests the US maintains a critical edge in high-impact quantum applications.

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