U.S. government invests $2 billion to support quantum computing—why is Google absent?

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Google rejected quantum computing funding from the Trump administration, citing that attached conditions would slow its research and development pace. This statement reveals the cooperation boundaries between the government and tech giants in the quantum race.

According to Semafor's report on Thursday, the US government announced last month a total of $2 billion in grants and investments to nine quantum computing companies, including IBM and PsiQuantum, aiming to accelerate US quantum technology development. Google is not among the recipients.

Charina Chou, Chief Operating Officer of Google Quantum AI, disclosed the reason for Google’s absence at the Semafor technology summit held in San Francisco on Wednesday: government funding came with several "conditions" that would constrain Google's progress in quantum computer research and development.

Chou stated that Google is still cooperating with the US government "in other ways," and urged the government to increase investment in basic research. Meanwhile, she pointed out that tightening immigration and visa policies is putting pressure on recruiting overseas academic talent, and believes this trend could affect the US's long-term competitiveness in the quantum field.

Attached conditions are the direct reason for Google’s rejection of the funds

At the summit, Chou clearly stated that the core reason Google did not accept government funding this time was the attached conditions. "In this specific case, I think the funding came with various conditions," she said. Google’s goal is "to advance quantum computer development as fast as possible," and the associated conditions conflicted with this goal.

She did not elaborate further on the specifics of these conditions, but emphasized that Google is not severing ties with the government; rather, it chooses to maintain cooperation in other areas.

In contrast, Pete Shadbolt, co-founder of PsiQuantum, which received government funding, takes a positive attitude toward government involvement. He stated that given quantum technology's "far-reaching geopolitical impact" and "national security implications," government investment in the field is "very natural." Shadbolt also revealed that he spends a lot of time in Washington, stressing the importance of maintaining close communication with the government.

Google calls for increased investment in basic research

Although she rejected this round of funding, Chou still believes the government "can do more" in the quantum field, and explicitly hopes to see "increased investment in basic research." She explained that basic research is the foundation of higher-level quantum technology, and the institutions undertaking this kind of research are precisely the labs Google cooperates with all over the US.

This statement means Google is not opposed to government funding itself, but disagrees with the direction of its use and its attached conditions.

Chou also issued a warning about talent issues. She stated that as the Trump administration tightens immigration and visa policies, Google is facing "some challenges" in recruiting academic talent from overseas; the current situation is "severe."

She said Google has not yet encountered significant recruitment obstacles, but is concerned about the long-term trend. "We need to bring together the best talent from all over the world to make this technology possible."

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