Tennessee Lawmaker Says Quantum Computing Is No Longer Optional for U.S. Security

Insider Brief

• Tennessee Rep. Chuck Fleischmann is calling for increased U.S. investment in quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and supercomputing, arguing the technologies are now essential to national security and global leadership.
• Speaking to WDEF-TV News 12, Fleischmann said the United States must integrate quantum, AI, and high-performance computing to compete with adversaries such as China, which are investing heavily in advanced technologies.
• Fleischmann said Tennessee and the Department of Energy’s national laboratories are positioned to lead long-term research efforts, framing investment in quantum and AI as critical to both economic strength and national defense.

A Tennessee congressman is making a pitch for quantum, saying it’s potential as a key tool for national security makes it impossible to ignore.

Speaking to WDEF-TV News 12, a Chattanooga television station, Tennessee Congressman Chuck Fleischmann is advocating for more funds to be invested in both quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI).

According to Fleischmann, both technologies are becoming critical for national security and are no longer just consumer-related technologies, such as ChatGPT.

“The race for global power is shifting to technology, with artificial intelligence leading the way,” Fleischmann told News 12. “Tennessee is uniquely positioned and poised to do something that the Department of Energy wants to do and that the country needs.”

For the United States to maintain its global leadership, the nation must invest in a combination of technologies, specifically supercomputing, quantum computing and AI, he added.

“So, taking those three, supercomputing, quantum computing, and AI computing, and putting them together is how we make sure that we can lead and win this AI race,” Fleischmann told News 12.

The funds are also needed to keep up with countries across the globe, including China, that are investing heavily in the technologies.

“The rest of the world, our adversaries, are investing in this,” Fleischmann said. “I want the United States to dominate in that area. Whether it is energy, AI, pick the discipline, pick the endeavor, I want us to be in first place.”

Fleischmann recommends that the U.S. continues to invest in long-term research, including AI and quantum computing, and said that Tennessee will play a leading role.

“I have spoken with the Secretary of Energy,” he told the television news team. “I have spoken with the people he has charged with this. The rest of the country will be involved, but I have all 17 national lab directors involved in this project.”

Beyond innovation for innovation’s sake, Fleischmann said investing in these frontier technologies are also essential for both national security and economic growth.

“When America is the strongest economic power and the strongest scientific power,” he said, “we will continue to be the strongest nation in the world.”

Fleischmann is an influential Republican who represents the 3rd District of Tennessee, which comprises 10 counties: Anderson, Bradley, Campbell, Hamilton, McMinn, Monroe, Morgan, Polk, Roane, and Scott.