Department of Energy Quantum Leadership Act of 2024, Section 2

• Authority: United States Congress
• Parent authority: Federal government
• Jurisdiction: United States
• Collections: U.S. federal laws
• Most recent activity: Defunct
• Most recent activity date: 2025-01-03

Risk subdomain coverage

Good coverage — Comprehensive governance measures or mitigations with clear procedures relating to the risk subdomain are explicitly described.

• Cyberattacks, weapon development or use

Minimal coverage — Brief mention but no specific mitigations, recommendations or governance measures relating to the risk subdomain are described.

• AI system security vulnerabilities
• Competitive dynamics
• Environmental harm

All other risk subdomains had no coverage in this document.

Risk Coverage Summary

The document has minimal coverage of risk domains, with primary focus on national security threats (4.2) through restrictions on foreign entities of concern. There is implicit coverage of competitive dynamics (6.4) through emphasis on U.S. quantum technology advancement and commercialization. The document does not substantially address AI-specific risks, as it focuses on quantum information science rather than AI systems.

Sector coverage

Good coverage — Comprehensive governance measures or mitigations with clear procedures relating to the sector are explicitly described.

• Trade, Transportation & Utilities
• Information
• Scientific Research & Development Services
• Educational Services
• National Security

Minimal coverage — Brief mention but no specific mitigations, recommendations or governance measures relating to the sector are described.

• Agriculture, Mining, Construction & Manufacturing
• Professional & Technical Services
• Public Administration (excl. National Security)

All other sectors had no coverage in this document.

Sectors Summary

The document primarily governs the Scientific Research and Development Services sector through quantum research programs, with significant coverage of the Information sector (quantum computing and communications), and the Energy/Utilities sector through energy applications of quantum technology. It also addresses Educational Services through traineeship programs.

Legislative Status

Hard Law

Legislative Status Summary

This is a binding federal statute enacted by the United States Congress that amends the National Quantum Initiative Act. It contains mandatory obligations with specific funding authorizations and explicit prohibitions on certain activities, enforceable through federal appropriations law.

Actors

Proposer

• Entity Types: AI_Governance_Actor
• Summary: The document is a Congressional Act that amends existing federal law. Congress has the constitutional authority to enact federal legislation and appropriate funds.

Target

• Entity Types: AI_Governance_Actor, AI_Developer, AI_Infrastructure_Provider
• Summary: The Act targets the Department of Energy as the primary implementing agency, along with research institutions, industry partners, and educational institutions that will participate in quantum research programs. It also specifically targets entities that might partner with foreign countries or entities of concern.

Enforcer

• Entity Types: AI_Governance_Actor
• Summary: The Secretary of Energy has primary enforcement authority through control of funding and program implementation. Congress enforces through appropriations oversight and reporting requirements. Other federal agencies are involved in determining foreign entities of concern.

Monitor

• Entity Types: AI_Governance_Actor
• Summary: Congress monitors through mandatory reporting requirements. The Secretary of Energy monitors program implementation and coordinates with other federal agencies. Multiple agencies are involved in monitoring foreign entity concerns.

AI Lifecycle Stages

Lifecycle stages covered by the documents, as defined in the OECD Framework for the Classification of AI Systems

• Plan and Design
• Collect and Process Data
• Build and Use Model
• Verify and Validate
• Deploy
• Operate and Monitor

AI Lifecycle Summary

The document addresses quantum information science research and development across multiple lifecycle stages, with particular emphasis on Build and Use Model (quantum computing development), Deploy (commercialization and industry engagement), and Operate and Monitor (ongoing research programs and coordination). It also covers Plan and Design through strategic planning requirements.

Technical Scope

Terms relating to technical scope that are mentioned or implicitly referenced in the document

No technical scope terms identified.

Technical Scope Summary

The document explicitly focuses on quantum information science, engineering, and technology rather than AI systems. However, it does mention AI and machine learning as accelerators for high-performance computing systems and includes machine learning as a research field within quantum computational science.