If We Treat Quantum Like AI, We Get Both Wrong: QIC Testimony Before House of Commons
On April 30, 2026, Lisa Lambert, CEO of Quantum Industry Canada (QIC), appeared as a witness before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (INDU) as part of its study on “Opportunities, Risks, and Regulation of AI in Canada’s Strategic Industries.”
Her opening statement underscores a central message: AI and quantum are distinct technologies with different capabilities, timelines, risks, and policy implications — and treating them as a single category creates real risk in both policy and execution.
The testimony also highlights the growing convergence of AI, high-performance computing, and quantum systems; the urgent need for coordinated execution on post-quantum cybersecurity; and the importance of ensuring Canada converts its early strengths in quantum into enduring strategic and economic advantage.
More broadly, the statement reinforces a shift increasingly taking place globally: quantum is evolving from a science and innovation issue into a strategic infrastructure, economic security, and sovereign capability issue.
