Tech Diplomacy Now: Has Q-Day arrived?
“Q-Day” refers to when a quantum computer breaks the digital encryption used to protect data. Chinese researchers have, reportedly, hacked encryption mechanisms employed across critical sectors.
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Tech Diplomacy Updates
Top News of the Week
Latest News
Technology Strategy and Policy
Artificial Intelligence
Telecommunications Networks and Infrastructure
Critical Minerals
Synthetic Biology
Quantum
Advanced Aerospace Technology
Semiconductors and Microelectronics
Energy and Climate
Opinion and Commentary
The Last Word
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Krach Institute plays a key role at the Midwest Defense Innovation Summit
Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue CEO Michelle Giuda emceed Day One of the Midwest Defense Innovation Summit (MDIS), organized by the Institute’s strategic partner, Applied Research Institute (ARI). MDIS is a premier event showcasing the defense innovation ecosystem in the Midwest. The summit brought together key stakeholders, policymakers, industry leaders, and regional partners to explore the latest advancements in defense technology and foster collaboration opportunities.
During the event, Michelle also discussed the Midwest’s central role at the intersection of defense innovation and tech diplomacy with Indiana Senator and one of the authors of the CHIPS and Science Act Todd Young. Senator Young spoke about the importance of educating diplomats on critical and emerging technologies that impact national security. The Krach Institute’s Tech Diplomacy Academy is at the forefront of that mission and has already been adopted by the U.S. Department of State.
Learn more about the Tech Diplomacy Academy.
Michelle Giuda on Bloomberg TV: “Ultimately, it comes down to trust”
Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue CEO Michelle Giuda joined Caroline Hyde and Ed Ludlow of Bloomberg TV to discuss technology's central role at the intersection of prosperity and national security. “Just as we have to scrutinize which countries we're sending F-35s, we also have to scrutinize where we're sending our most advanced chips,” said Michelle during the interview. “Ultimately, it comes down to trust.”
Watch the full interview.
Top News of the Week – Has Q-Day arrived?
According to reports, Chinese researchers used a quantum computer to successfully break a military-grade encryption for the first time. The attack poses a “real and substantial threat” to password-protection employed across critical sectors.
Key Points:
For years, researchers have predicted that the emergence of quantum computers would allow for the breaking of nearly all existing encryption standards. Traditional computers would require millions of years to break the encryption, but quantum computers were theorized as being able to do it rather quickly.
It appears that Chinese researchers have achieved this with a quantum computer, albeit with only very short keys (a 22-bit key in this case).
In August 2024, NIST released the first 3 finalized post-quantum encryption standards which are designed to mitigate the breaking of encryption with quantum computers. NIST encouraged systems administrations to begin the transition immediately.
More on Background:
Cracking with Quantum: What Breakthrough Research Means – Cyber Magazine, October 15, 2024
Chinese researchers break RSA encryption with a quantum computer – CSO Online, October 14, 2024
Chinese scientists use quantum computers to crack military-grade encryption — quantum attack poses a "real and substantial threat" to RSA and AES – Tom’s Hardware, October 14, 2024
Chinese Researchers Reportedly Crack Encryption with Quantum Computer – PC Magazine, October 14, 2024
Crypto-apocalypse soon? Chinese researchers find a potential quantum attack on classical encryption – The Register, October 14, 2024
Chinese Scientists Report Using Quantum Computer to Hack Military-grade Encryption – Quantum Insider, October 11, 2024
‘Q Day’ Is Coming. It’s Time to Worry About Quantum Security. – WSJ, October 9, 2024
What is Q-Day? – Tom’s Guide, September 16, 2024
NIST Releases First 3 Finalized Post-Quantum Encryption Standards – NIST, August 13, 2024
Q-Day Is Coming Sooner Than We Think – Forbes, June 7, 2021
DIVE DEEPER: Visit the Tech Diplomacy Academy to understand quantum computing, which promises exponential advancements in computational power, but also poses a significant security threat.
Learn more.
Latest News
Scale of Chinese Spying Overwhelms Western Governments – WSJ, October 14, 2024
U.S. Officials Race to Understand Severity of China’s Salt Typhoon Hacks – WSJ, October 11, 2024
TikTok v. Garland Oral Argument: Did TikTok Admit It Doesn’t Have First Amendment Rights? – Federalist Society, October 9, 2024
The Beijing-Moscow Axis Is Much Stronger This Time Around – Foreign Policy, October 8, 2024
Technology Strategy and Policy
Apple opens its ‘most extensive’ lab outside US in China amid fierce rivalry with Huawei – SCMP, October 11, 2024
America v China: who controls Asia’s internet? – The Economist, October 8, 2024
Britain sets up Regulatory Innovation Office to boost growth – Reuters, October 7, 2024
The 30-year-old internet backdoor law that came back to bite – TechCrunch, October 7, 2024
EU member states should endorse tariffs on Chinese EVs or risk undermining European interests and agency – EURACTIV, October 3, 2024
Russian Missiles, American Chips – Bloomberg, October 2, 2024
Artificial Intelligence
ByteDance's TikTok cuts hundreds of jobs in shift towards AI content moderation – Reuters, October 11, 2024
We’re Entering Uncharted Territory for Math – The Atlantic, October 4, 2024
Russia, Iran, China expected to use AI to try to influence US election, report says – Reuters, October 2, 2024
China to roll out cybersecurity rules covering generative AI – Nikkei Asia, October 1, 2024
Telecommunications Networks and Infrastructure
The Cloud Conundrum: The world's AI ambitions are currently tethered to the U.S.-built cloud. Can the U.S. keep it that way? – The Wire China, October 13, 2024
Russia’s illicit Starlink terminals help power its advance in Ukraine – WaPo, October 12, 2024
TikTok executives know about app’s effect on teens, lawsuit documents allege – NPR, October 11, 2024
China Detains Employees at Apple iPhone Factory Run by Foxconn – WSJ, October 10, 2024
Fourteen AGs sue TikTok, accusing it of harming children's mental health – NBC News, October 8, 2024
What lies beneath: There’s more to cables than geopolitics – Lowy Institute, October 2, 2024
Critical Minerals
World’s first manufacturing plant for rare-earth-free magnets opens in Minneapolis – Mining.com, October 10, 2024
This Chinese Miner Dominates Global Cobalt Supply. The U.S. Is Crying Foul. – WSJ, October 10, 2024
Congo Wants to Pivot Away from China’s Dominance Over Its Mining – Bloomberg, October 9, 2024
China is oversupplying lithium to eliminate rivals, US official says – Reuters, October 8, 2024
Why Kamala Harris Wants to Stockpile Minerals You’ve Probably Never Heard Of – WSJ, September 29, 2024
The $1.7 Billion Takeover Brawl Fueled by a Fear of China – WSJ, September 28, 2024
Synthetic Biology
Biotech M&A has plateaued. Track the deals that are happening here. – BioPharma Dive, October 14, 2024
Lilly partners with AI specialist Insitro to develop metabolic medicines – BioPharma Dive, October 9, 2024
Locks, Keys and the Limits of AI in Biology – Foundry Theory, October 3, 2024
Quantum
Light-induced Material Could Help Build Better Quantum Sensors, Quantum Computers – Quantum Insider, October 15, 2024
TII and UAE Space Agency to Partner on Developing Quantum Communication Infrastructure – Quantum Insider, October 15, 2024
Advanced Aerospace Technology
India to allot satellite internet spectrum via administrative method – Economic Times, October 15, 2024
Boeing layoff plan suggests deep white-collar job cuts – Seattle Times, October 14, 2024
France to expand aerospace collaboration with India, strengthen ‘Make in India’ initiatives – Economic Times, October 14, 2024
Mystery Drones Swarmed a U.S. Military Base for 17 Days. The Pentagon Is Stumped. – WSJ, October 12, 2024
Semiconductors and Microelectronics
US Weighs Capping Exports of AI Chips from Nvidia and AMD to Some Countries – Bloomberg, October 14, 2024
Chinese Semiconductor Stocks Extend Rally on China’s Stimulus Measures – WSJ, October 7, 2024
Samsung Electronics says it is not interested in spinning off foundry business – Reuters, October 7, 2024
Chinese start-up Numemory claims memory chip breakthrough amid US tech sanctions – SCMP, October 2, 2024
Energy and Climate
Reclaiming the Promise of Nuclear Power in India – Carnegie Endowment, October 7, 2024
Big Tech has cozied up to nuclear energy – The Verge, October 5, 2024
EV tariffs are only the first step in EU-China war – Reuters, October 4, 2024
How the US Lost the Solar Power Race to China – Bloomberg, September 30, 2024
Why Taiwan and Its Tech Industry Are Facing an Energy Crisis – Yale360, September 26, 2024
Opinion and Commentary
America’s AI Leadership Depends on Energy – Jason Bordoff, Foreign Policy, October 14, 2024
EVs to the internet: Can the US and China unwind technology interdependence without disaster? – Lowy Institute, October 9, 2024
The FCC withdrew a grant for Starlink to cover rural counties, but the satellite service is now saving the day in those counties. – WSJ, October 9, 2024
Exploding Pagers and Spy Chips: The Rising Risk of Hardware Tampering – Chris Miller, FT, October 8, 2024
If Stimulus Could Save China, It Wouldn’t Need It – Joseph Sternberg, WSJ, October 3, 2024
The Last Word
“These aren't hair dryers we're talking about.”
Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue CEO Michelle Giuda referring to the need to scrutinize advanced tech exports.
About: Tech Diplomacy Now
The Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue is the world’s preeminent trusted technology accelerator. As the leader of the new category of Tech Diplomacy, the Institute integrates technology expertise, Silicon Valley strategies, and foreign policy tools to build the Global Trusted Tech Network of governments, companies, organizations and individuals to accelerate the innovation and adoption of trusted technology and ensure technology advances freedom.