Quantum innovation through Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST) is the Trump Administration’s focus, first with its allocation of $2 billion in equity stakes across nine quantum computing companies, and yesterday, signing two quantum-related executive orders to fast-track development of domestic quantum technology and to protect U.S. national security from future quantum-enabled cyberattacks. 

The first order: Accelerating Quantum Innovation and Research (EO 14411), aims to supercharge U.S. leadership in the global quantum race. It targets the Departments of Energy and War – the former with a directive to spearhead the development of the nation’s first quantum computer powerful enough for scientific discovery, the second tasked with identifying three next-gen quantum sensor projects in the next 60 days (with fielding to happen by Sept. 30, 2028). Part of the order directs NASA to develop a 5-year plan for civilian quantum sensing and networking for space.

The second order: Securing the Nation Against Cryptographic Attacks (EO 14409), aims to migrate key government computing systems to post-quantum cryptography by 2030 or 2031. It talks of defending critical infrastructure and government data against foreign adversaries using “harvest now, decrypt later” strategies, which means storing encrypted data now so that future quantum computers can decrypt it.

In that vein, federal agencies have been mandated to transition networks to post-quantum cryptography (PQC), and to harden civilian infrastructure, such as water and utility plants, against future quantum hacking.

Winners & losers of TSMC crunch: TSMC’s leading-edge chips and advanced packaging are spoken for, with Nvidia, AMD, and a handful of others 1st in line for 3 nm wafer starts and CoWoS packaging. Everyone else has to wait until 2027.

Alibaba adds Paris to its footprint: Alibaba Cloud launched a new cloud region in Paris, adding two availability zones to expand its European infrastructure footprint. Alibaba Cloud now operates 105 availability zones across 32 regions worldwide.

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$1 trillion tech sell-off: A global tech sell-off wiped over $1 trillion in market value from the Nasdaq 100 as investors dumped AI-focused chipmakers and big tech. SpaceX shed over $400 billion in market capitalization, a 23% decline since its high.

Dallas, TX takes #1 spot: Texas has officially overtaken Northern Virginia as the world’s largest data center market, according to Cushman & Wakefield’s latest Global Data Center Market Comparison report.

Trump EOs for Quantum: President Trump signed 2 executive orders (14409 and 14411) – the 1st for a scientific research computer at the DoE, the other mandating federal agencies and infrastructure transition to NIST-approved cryptography.

Oracle 13% workforce reduction: Oracle cut its workforce by 21,000 employees in its pivot toward new AI cloud infrastructure goals. This is part of a broader trend among tech firms, with more than 100,000 tech workers laid off the past year.

Samsung – Qualcomm accelerators: Samsung Electro-Mechanics will make critical components for Qualcomm’s 1st AI accelerator, with production of Flip-Chip Ball Grid Array substrates essential to packaging high-end semiconductor chips.

Google AI DC on ABC’s Nightline: Google’s Southern Corridor Area Manager Thomas Gamble says data centers’ storing information in servers are like books storing information in libraries during a tour of a 600-acre AI DC in Alabama.

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