Governance and Legislation
ETSI Launches New Security Standard for Quantum-Safe Hybrid Key Exchanges
(Quantum Insider – 27 March 2025) The European Telecommunications Standard Institute (ETSI) has launched a new post-quantum security standard designed to protect critical data from future quantum computing threats. The standard introduces Covercrypt, a hybrid encryption system that secures data by allowing only authorized users to access session keys based on specific user attributes, ensuring both current and future quantum-safe protection. Organizations, exemplified by Cosmian, are already adopting ETSI’s standard to enhance security infrastructure and comply with future-proof cryptographic requirements efficiently and rapidly. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/03/27/etsi-launches-new-security-standard-for-quantum-safe-hybrid-key-exchanges/
Beyond Big Tech: The Revolutionary Potential of State Data Commons
(Kevin Frazier, Kevin Wei .- Lawfare – 27 March 2025) The Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE’s) use of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked widespread concerns about further integrating new tools into essential government services. Likewise, the State Department’s plans to use AI to revoke visas from foreign nationals deemed “pro-Hamas” has raised public concerns. This general rush to apply an AI hammer to anything that looks remotely like a nail risks pounding a message into the minds of many Americans: AI is bad. If that message becomes too entrenched, Americans may uniformly disapprove of even responsible uses of AI to improve government services. That may set up an unfortunate paradigm: a private sector that continues to develop AI at a breakneck pace and a public sector unable to leverage these powerful tools to enhance education, health care, and other vital services. This technological gap threatens not just America’s competitive edge against strategic rivals but, more fundamentally, the capacity of the federal government and state governments to improve the lives of Americans across the country. – https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/beyond-big-tech–the-revolutionary-potential-of-state-data-commons
Geostrategies
South Korea Launches Quantum Initiative in Aerospace with Norma and Gyeongsang National University
(Quantum Insider – 27 March 2025) Norma and Gyeongsang National University have launched South Korea’s first quantum advantage project in aerospace, aiming to develop quantum algorithms for nonlinear high-speed aerodynamics simulations. The project targets exponential improvements in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for hypersonic vehicles and space systems by solving equations like Burgers’ and Navier-Stokes with quantum computing. The initiative will proceed in three phases: QCFD development and demonstration, prototype collaboration with aerospace and defense firms, and commercialization for global markets. Norma will lead quantum machine learning tool development, while the university will focus on QCFD; the project is expected to span 5 to 8 years and position South Korea as a leader in quantum aerospace innovation. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/03/27/south-korea-launches-quantum-initiative-in-aerospace-with-norma-and-gyeongsang-national-university/
Defense, Intelligence, and Warfare
US Army to work with Rafael on ‘Americanization’ of Spike missile family
(Seth J. Frantzman – Breaking Defense – 27 March 2025) The US Army is teaming up with an arm of Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to more closely develop the Spike family of missiles, including “future enhancements and Americanization” of the munitions. Rafael Systems Global Sustainment, a US subsidiary of the Israeli firm, announced the signing of a cooperation agreement with US Army Combat Capabilities Command (DEVCOM) that “aims to leverage the expertise and resources of both organizations to adequately evaluate the cutting-edge precision tactical missile systems for better alignment with the U.S Army’s evolving needs for modern warfare.”. “As the defense landscape continues to evolve, partnerships like this CRADA [Cooperative Research and Development Agreement] between Rafael and DEVCOM play a crucial role in driving innovation and ensuring the readiness of the U.S Army,” Joe Anderson, the CEO Rafael Advanced Defense Systems said in the statement. He noted the Spike system is used worldwide by 43 countries and is deployed with infantry and armored brigade combat teams by these nations. – https://breakingdefense.com/2025/03/us-army-to-work-with-rafael-on-americanization-of-spike-missile-family/
Turkey’s Aselsan receives $616 million investment for Steel Dome-related tech facilities
(Agnes Helou – Breaking Defense – 27 March 2025) Turkish electronics giant Aselsan has received an infusion of $616 million from the Turkish Ministry of Industry and Technology to build out new facilities, from which it expects a “substantial portion” of tech necessary for that nation’s Steel Dome air defense system to be produced. The fund, announced in a company statement Wednesday, is part of the “Project-Based Investment Incentives (Super Incentive)” and is directed at three high-tech pursuits: a photon detector and nanotechnology facility; a radar system integration and production facility; an air defense systems production and test facility (including smart munition production). Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presented the incentives to Aselsan CEO Ahmet Akyol during the “2030 Industrial and Technology Strategy and Large-Scale Investments launch event.” – https://breakingdefense.com/2025/03/turkeys-aselsan-receives-616-million-investment-for-steel-dome-related-tech-facilities/
Turkish, Egyptian firms team up on unmanned ground vehicle project
(Agnes Helou – Breaking Defense – 27 March 2025) Turkish defense firm Havelsan joined forces with Egypt’s Kader Factory for Developed Industries to produce unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) in Egypt, Havelsan said in a statement Wednesday, in what analysts said was a sign of deepening ties between Ankara and Cairo. Kader Factory, which is affiliated with the government-owned Arab Organization for Industrialization, will benefit from Turkish engineering expertise and licensing to jointly produce the UGVs in its facilities in Cairo, according to Havelsan. “This cooperation represents not only a transfer of technology but also a sharing of expertise and strategic vision. We are proud to be co-producing advanced unmanned ground vehicles with our Egyptian partners. This partnership marks a significant step forward in strengthening the defense capabilities of both nations,” said Havelsan’s deputy general Şevket Ünal in the statement. – https://breakingdefense.com/2025/03/turkish-egyptian-firms-team-up-on-unmanned-ground-vehicle-project/
Frontiers
EuroHPC Selects Pasqal to Build 140-Qubit Neutral Atom Quantum Simulator in Italy, Upgrade Planned for 2027
(Quantum Insider – 27 March 2025) The European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) has signed a €13 million procurement contract with Pasqal to deliver EuroQCS-Italy, a neutral atom-based quantum simulator hosted by CINECA in Bologna, Italy. The system will initially provide at least 140 analogue-mode qubits, with a 2027 upgrade introducing hybrid analogue/digital capabilities for more complex quantum algorithm execution. EuroQCS-Italy will support scientific, industrial, and public sector users across Europe, enabling research in quantum many-body physics, optimization, machine learning, and materials science. This project is part of a broader EuroHPC initiative to establish a diverse network of quantum computing platforms across Europe, including deployments in Czechia, Germany, France, Spain, Poland, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/03/27/eurohpc-selects-pasqal-to-build-140-qubit-neutral-atom-quantum-simulator-in-italy-upgrade-planned-for-2027/
Quantum Computers Analyze Their Own Entanglement
(Quantum Insider – 27 March 2025) A new quantum algorithm developed by researchers in Japan and the UK allows quantum computers to both detect and protect quantum entanglement, a key resource in quantum technologies. The method, called variational entanglement witness (VEW), improves accuracy over traditional techniques by distinguishing entangled from non-entangled states without damaging the fragile entanglement. The approach uses nonlocal measurements that preserve the quantum state, offering potential benefits for quantum computing, communication, and cryptography. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/03/27/quantum-computers-analyze-their-own-entanglement/
Swiss Finance Sector Urged to Act Fast to Avoid Quantum Threat
(Quantum Insider – 27 March 2025) Switzerland’s financial sector faces rising risks from quantum computing, prompting a new seven-step action plan to safeguard its status as a trusted global hub. The Swiss Financial Innovation Desk warns of imminent threats such as “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later” and calls for coordinated migration to quantum-safe cryptography. The plan recommends establishing risk governance, reducing legacy systems, aligning with global standards, and treating quantum readiness as an ongoing process. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/03/27/swiss-finance-sector-urged-to-act-fast-to-avoid-quantum-threat/
Twin’s first AI agent is an invoice-retrieval agent for Qonto customers
(Romain Dillet – TechCrunch – 27 March 2025) When Twin came out of stealth in January 2024, AI agents were more of a theoretical concept than a reality. Today, the Paris-based company is releasing an automation agent in partnership with Qonto, the fintech startup that offers business bank accounts to more than 500,000 customers across Europe. If you want to automate repetitive tasks, there are already several ways to tackle these problems. Some companies use API-based, no-code or low-code automation products like Zapier. Others rely on RPA software, such as UiPath. – https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/27/twins-first-ai-agent-is-an-invoice-retrieval-agent-for-qonto-customers/
AI-powered therapy shows promise in first clinical trial of mental health study
(Aamir Khollam – Interesting Engineering – 27 March 2025) We’re indeed living in interesting times, watching AI come to its full potential. What was once the realm of fiction is now shaping to be the fabric of healthcare. However, conversations about AI being useful for mental health treatment have been nothing but divisive. – https://interestingengineering.com/health/groundbreaking-ai-therapy-shows-positive-results