Chile Launches National Quantum Strategy 2025–2035 Prioritizing Sovereign Computing and Sensing
Chile Takes the Quantum Leap: A Comprehensive National Strategy for Sovereign Computing and Sensing
In a groundbreaking move, the President of Chile, Gabriel Boric Font, has formalized the National Strategy for Quantum Technologies 2025–2035, marking a significant milestone in the country's transition towards a knowledge-based economy. This 10-year roadmap aims to establish sovereign capabilities in quantum computing, advanced sensing, and secure communications, while integrating into the global ecosystem and prioritizing the translation of R&D into industrial applications for the mining, energy, and telecommunications sectors.
A Unified Vision for Quantum Innovation
The strategy's technical core focuses on the development of high-level scientific infrastructure, including the deployment of national testbeds for post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and materials simulation. This infrastructure will serve as a foundation for the growth of a vibrant quantum ecosystem, enabling researchers, startups, and industry leaders to collaborate and innovate. The testbeds will provide a secure environment for testing and validating quantum-safe algorithms and protocols, ensuring the integrity of Chile's digital infrastructure.
Governance and Regulation: A Unified Framework for Quantum-Secure Communications
Governance is architected around anticipatory governance principles, emphasizing interoperability with international standards and the creation of a unified regulatory framework for quantum-secure communications. This framework will provide a clear and consistent set of rules and guidelines for the development and deployment of quantum technologies, ensuring that Chile remains at the forefront of quantum innovation while maintaining the highest standards of security and integrity.
Policy Instruments: Supporting the Growth of a Quantum Ecosystem
To support the growth of a quantum ecosystem, Chile is deploying a diversified suite of policy instruments, including:
- Institutional funding for public research, providing a stable source of funding for quantum research and development
- Project-specific grants via ANID (National Research and Development Agency), enabling researchers and startups to access funding for specific projects and initiatives
- Public procurement mechanisms designed to stimulate demand for homegrown quantum-safe hardware, ensuring that Chilean companies have access to a stable market for their products and services
Talent Development and Mitigating Technical Barriers
Implementation for the 2025–2027 phase focuses on talent development and the mitigation of technical barriers in scaling quantum sensing for the extractive industries. This includes:
- The training of advanced human capital through dedicated PhD scholarships, ensuring that Chile has a skilled and knowledgeable workforce to drive the growth of the quantum industry
- The expansion of cryogenic and photonic laboratory capacity, enabling researchers to develop and test quantum systems and protocols
- The use of public-private partnerships (PPPs) and challenge funds to de-risk commercial pilots and establish Chile as a standardized testbed for Latin American quantum innovation
A Standardized Testbed for Latin American Quantum Innovation
By utilizing PPPs and challenge funds, the strategy aims to de-risk commercial pilots and establish Chile as a standardized testbed for Latin American quantum innovation. This will enable researchers and startups from across the region to access a stable and secure environment for testing and validating their quantum technologies, facilitating the growth of a vibrant quantum ecosystem in Latin America.
Implications and Forward-Looking Thoughts
The National Strategy for Quantum Technologies 2025–2035 marks a significant milestone in Chile's transition towards a knowledge-based economy. The strategy's focus on sovereign computing and sensing, combined with its emphasis on talent development and the mitigation of technical barriers, positions Chile as a leader in the growth of a quantum ecosystem. As the strategy is implemented, we can expect to see significant advancements in the development and deployment of quantum technologies, with far-reaching implications for industries such as mining, energy, and telecommunications.
In the future, we can expect to see even more innovative applications of quantum technologies, including:
- The development of quantum-secure communication networks, enabling secure and reliable communication across the globe
- The use of quantum computing for complex simulations and modeling, enabling researchers to tackle complex problems in fields such as materials science and chemistry
- The growth of a quantum-enabled economy, with new industries and applications emerging as a result of the development and deployment of quantum technologies
As Chile continues to invest in its quantum ecosystem, we can expect to see significant advancements in the growth of a vibrant and innovative quantum industry, with far-reaching implications for the country and the world.
