AI & Tech Brief: White House unveils quantum executive order

The White House unveiled two executive orders on quantum technology Monday afternoon. Because nothing says 'addressing the pressing dangers of frontier AI' like issuing orders about a technology that might be practically relevant in a decade's time. The administration's timing is impeccable: just as the Five Eyes alliance warns about AI cyber risks, the White House pivots to quantum, which is still mostly academic. One can almost hear the sigh of relief from AI labs as the political spotlight shifts away from their immediate products.

The orders themselves are, predictably, light on detail. 'Quantum technology' is a nice umbrella term that covers everything from quantum computing to quantum sensing, allowing the administration to claim action without committing to anything concrete. It's the perfect move for a government that has mastered the art of appearing proactive while achieving very little. The tech press will write breathless headlines about 'historic quantum initiatives,' and the public will assume something is being done.

Meanwhile, the actual AI safety questions — the alignment problems, the job displacement, the cyber risks that Five Eyes actually named — remain in the hands of voluntary commitments and self-regulation. But hey, quantum! That's the future. We'll definitely have quantum working before we ever get meaningful AI regulation. Cheers to progress.