Opinion
The quantum race: A great opportunity for Israel and the danger of being left behind
"Just as we once understood that investing in cybersecurity was an investment in national strength, it is time to realize that quantum computing is not just "a topic for research labs" but a strategic field in which Israel must take part," writes Ben Haklai, Vice President of National Technologies at Microsoft Israel.
Recently, on the exact same day, both the United States and China announced significant breakthroughs in quantum computing. In a way, quantum computing is to this century what the space race was to the last. If in the past we talked about landing on the moon, today it is about controlling the economy, security, technology, and artificial intelligence. There is no room for illusions: those who lead the development of quantum computing and successfully adopt the technology in time will build their technological, industrial, security, and scientific power for the future. Those who do not will find themselves in a gap that will be extremely difficult to close.
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Ben Haklai, Vice President of National Technologies at Microsoft Israel.
(Photo: Microsoft Israel)
The Battle for Control of Quantum Computing – A Strategic Race, Not Just a Scientific One
In public discourse, quantum computing is still perceived as a topic for research laboratories. However, in reality, it is a technology with dramatic implications for every aspect of our lives, and it seems that the latest developments in the field, including the exponential growth in capabilities and the clear trend toward commercialization, are moving us from the research world to the practical application world.
Quantum speed will impact fields such as medicine, finance, and artificial intelligence. In fact, quantum computing could become a "springboard" that allows us to solve problems previously considered unsolvable. This potential will enable us to rebuild the building blocks of material science and chemistry and dramatically affect every industrial sector.
On the other side of the spectrum, in the field of cryptography, for example, quantum computers developed in the foreseeable future will be able to crack encryptions that we use today for various technological applications in an alarmingly short period. This means that all digital infrastructures will be at risk if we do not prepare now. Leading companies are already investing in the development of post-quantum cryptography solutions to ensure that the transition to the quantum era does not endanger our critical information systems.
The investments in China and the U.S. illustrate just how high a priority this issue is for them. China is building an entire ecosystem aimed at controlling the key technologies of the 21st century, and it understands that quantum computing is not "just another field" – it is the foundation of future technological power. The country invests in research centers, encourages the development of its own quantum chips, and, according to reports, has already managed to gain an advantage in areas such as developing photonic-based quantum processors and secure quantum communication.
In the U.S., the quantum computing arena is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Giant companies such as Microsoft, IBM, and Google are advancing quantum computing with powerful processors and superconductors. In this race, the goal is clear: to maintain America's technological superiority in the world.
Israel Among the Superpowers – A Relative Advantage or a Dangerous Gap?
Can Israel become a key player in this game? The answer is yes, but only if we act now.
At this stage, our gap compared to the leading nations is still manageable. The national quantum computing program has received an investment of 1.25 billion shekels, which is certainly a positive step. However, compared to the billions that the U.S. and China are investing, this amount is far from sufficient.
Reality is changing faster than expected – and unlike in the past, we now understand that quantum computing is a matter of years, not decades. Large companies already predict that we are approaching an era of hybrid computing, where quantum computing, AI, and high-performance computing (HPC) will merge and bring about a fundamental change in the world of computing.
Israel has several significant advantages that can make it a serious player in this race. Our status as a cyber power can position us as leaders in quantum security since the cybersecurity world is expected to undergo a revolution due to quantum computing. Israel could be among the first countries to develop top-tier defense solutions.
In the chip industry as well, we have an advantage. Israel is home to some of the most innovative companies in the field, with development centers of international chip manufacturers. This expertise can serve as a springboard for quantum computing, particularly in developing the hardware necessary to transition the field from a research project to a commercial and practical tool.
Another advantage Israel has is its culture of innovation and startups. The quantum revolution is not only happening in academia but also in the business sector, where significant advancements in quantum hardware and algorithms are being made. Investing in creating more stable and high-performing qubits is one of the ways the industry is trying to turn this field from a theoretical concept into a practical and applicable tool. Unlike the U.S. and China, which rely on massive government and corporate entities, Israel can develop an ecosystem of innovative startups that achieve targeted and rapid breakthroughs.
The window of opportunity will not remain open for long. To become a leading player, Israel must increase investments, connect academia and industry, and train experts—otherwise, we will find ourselves facing an insurmountable gap. Israel has previously turned technologies into a strategic advantage, as seen in cyber and chip development. The decisions we make today will determine whether we will be at the forefront of the quantum world as well or whether we will have to rely on solutions developed in other markets.
Just as we once understood that investing in cybersecurity was an investment in national strength, it is time to realize that quantum computing is not just "a topic for research labs" but a strategic field in which Israel must take part. Because in shaping the new technological world, whoever leads the race for quantum computing and artificial intelligence will lead the future.
Ben Haklai is Vice President of National Technologies at Microsoft Israel.
