Professor Arik looked at the journal in his hand and looked disappointed.

Finally, he couldn’t help it anymore, and he spoke angrily.

“This is absolute nonsense!

“A quantum computer with 524 qubits… How is that possible!”

He was a professor of physics and quantum information engineering at the University of Southern California as well as a distinguished researcher at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He was also a consultant for Google’s “D-Wave” project. No one knew about quantum computers better than him.

Even the famous quantum annealing algorithm was developed by him.

Even though the academic community had disputes over whether the quantum annealing algorithm could be called quantum computing at all since no one had found evidence of “quantum acceleration”, it was still undeniable that D-Wave 2X held the highest qubit record.

Google and NASA were working on the development of D-Wave 3X, a computer operating in an ultra-low temperature environment, which would redefine the world’s understanding of quantum computer technology.

However, even then, their goal for the D-Wave 3X was only 100 qubits.

But now, someone had actually claimed that they had developed a quantum computer with 524 qubits and published this in the form of a paper in a world-class journal.

He felt like his IQ was being insulted, so he was furious at these irresponsible papers.

A false paper reduced the industry’s confidence in the new technology. Not only could this irresponsible research destroy the reputations of the scholars involved in the research field, but also the entire industry.

Also, this wasn’t the first time something like this had happened!

The last time was from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It seemed like recently, there had been plenty of breakthroughs in quantum computer technology on the other side of the Pacific Ocean.

Dr. Cecil looked at the angry Professor Arik. He hesitated for a bit before saying, “But… the author of this paper seems to be Professor Lu.”

“So what?

“Future used to publish some interesting research. I naively thought that they might become the third largest journal in the world and bring some changes to the academic community. It seems like I had overestimated them…”

Professor Arik had a disappointing look on his face.

Finally, he threw the journal in his hand into the trash can.

“In the end, they became a propaganda tool for the Chinese government.”

Dr. Cecil looked at Professor Arik and didn’t know what to say.

In fact, he had a similar viewpoint as Professor Arik.

Without the existence of quantum memory technology, he could not imagine a quantum computer ever reaching more than 100 qubits, let alone 524 qubits.

The technical difficulty in increasing the number of qubits grew exponentially!

However, even though he didn’t believe the Jinling Institute for Advanced Study would be so ahead on this technology, he also didn’t believe that Lu Zhou would lie…

“Actually, you shouldn’t be so angry.”

“How can I not be angry!” Professor Arik said angrily, “They are destroying the trust of the industry in quantum computing technology! What they are ruining is the future of those who do real research!”

“Don’t be so pessimistic, the trust of the industry is not so fragile.” Dr. Cecil casually said, “NASA has already invested one billion dollars in the D-Wave 3X project, with additional investments coming soon. Immersive VR technology is about to enter the North American market, and Google is saying that quantum computing technology is inevitable.”

Professor Arik sighed and shook his head.

“I’m jealous of how optimistic you are.”

Cecil smiled bitterly.

Optimistic?

Is that true?

You’re the one being dyspeptic!

…

The news of the quantum computer technology breakthrough set off an earthquake in the semiconductor industry.

A 524-qubit computer…

This was almost more qubits than all other quantum research computers combined.

If this paper were published somewhere else, it would not be a big deal. Most people in the industry would just smile and ignore it. However, this paper happened to be published in the world-class journal Future.

Not just that, but the corresponding author of the paper was Professor Lu.

Because of the combination of these two factors, even though this paper seemed ridiculous, it was impossible for the public to turn a blind eye.

The impact quickly spread from the semiconductor industry to other areas.

Almost all industries related to the Internet were evaluating the positive and negative impacts of this technological breakthrough. Almost everyone wanted to know if this was a joke or not…

The day before the 20th Asia-Pacific Cyber Information Security Summit.

A five-star hotel near the Shanghai International Convention and Exhibition Center.

Hansa Clerek was sitting by the window of the executive lounge. As he watched the news on his tablet, he had a worried look on his face.

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The International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2) was the world’s largest network, information, software, and infrastructure security non-profit organization. It had the important responsibility of maintaining the world’s internet security.

And he was the chairman of ISC2 and one of the organizers of this cyber information security summit.

This news about quantum computer technology completely exceeded his expectations and totally disrupted his original plan. If the 524-qubit quantum computer was a reality, then China’s initiative to promote quantum encryption algorithms had to be taken seriously.

Mr. Rupert, who was sitting across from him, was the Secretary-General of the ISC2, and he had a solemn look on his face.

Ten minutes ago, he called an information engineering expert friend of his and asked his opinion on the news. Rupert didn’t care whether this was fake news from the Chinese or not; he only cared about the technical point of view.

If a 524-qubit computer did exist, then the damage it could do to current international standard encryption algorithms would be devastating.

Before the implementation of more reliable encryption algorithms, all industries that relied on information technology, such as the financial and manufacturing industry, would no longer have any secrets…

“The timing of this paper’s publication is special. The hype about this paper by the Chinese media also makes people wonder if there are any special motivations behind it.”

Clerek didn’t look up. He continued to stare at the tablet in his hand as he spoke.

“What do you think?”

Rupert looked at the dim lights outside the window. He lightly tapped his finger on the table and spoke after thinking for a moment.

“There are two possibilities. Either the Chinese are building momentum for the Asia-Pacific Cyber Information Security Summit, or this is real.”

“Which scenario is more likely?”

“The latter.”

Chairman Clerek raised his eyebrows.

“Oh really?”

Knowing that the chairman would ask his reasoning behind this, Rupert spoke.

“The reason is simple. The corresponding author of this paper is Professor Lu.”

“This is the reason?”

Director Clerek smiled lightly. Although he still had a solemn expression on his face, he spoke in a slightly mocking tone.

“Since there’s a possibility of the Chinese government being involved in this, Professor Lu’s signature does not mean anything. He comes from a country that pursues collectivism. He might say something against his will for the benefit of China.”

Rupert: “Has this kind of thing happened before?”

Chairman Clerek continued to stare at his tablet as he spoke.

“No… But doesn’t mean there won’t be a first.”

Rupert spoke.

“Then how confident are we?”

Clerek went silent.

Yeah…

This is the problem.

We’re not confident enough to bet on this being fake news.

Information security was essential for the global economy, military, and even politics. When it was about information security, one should always consider the “worst-case”.

Suddenly, the phone in Rupert’s pocket began to ring.

“I have to take this call.”

Rupert began to stand up as Chairman Clerek gestured to him to take the call.

Rupert walked as he took his phone out of his pocket and picked up the call.

Clerek was still sitting in his chair nearby. He was watching the expression on the Secretary General’s face.

In fact, Clerek’s observations were rewarded.

Time slowly passed by as Secretary-General Rupert gradually had a more and more serious look on his face.

Finally, the phone call ended.

Rupert put his phone back into his pocket and returned to the table. Rupert took a deep breath. He had a serious look of concern on his face.

Before Clerek even spoke, he spoke first.

“Bad news.

“I think… we don’t have to guess whether or not this is fake news from the Chinese.”

Chairman Clark was stunned. He frowned and spoke.

“What happened?”

“My old friend in information engineering, the person I previously consulted with on quantum computer technology…” Rupert continued after a pause, “He just called me.

“Star Sky Technology plans to build a supercomputing center in Shanghai to provide computing power for their virtual reality network in East China. According to their official website, the processor used in this supercomputing center…”

Rupert gulped and said, “Contains true quantum computing technology.”