IBM Chief Executive Arvind Krishna, one of the most prominent Indian-origin technology leaders in the United States, joined senior Trump administration officials and industry executives at the White House on 23 June as President Donald Trump unveiled a sweeping new strategy to accelerate America's quantum computing development and bolster its cyber security infrastructure.

Two Executive Orders Signed

President Trump signed two executive orders at the event. The first directs federal efforts toward advancing a scientifically relevant quantum computer. The second accelerates the transition to post-quantum cryptography — encryption systems designed to protect government networks and critical infrastructure against future quantum-enabled cyber threats. Krishna welcomed both orders, crediting government leadership as a catalyst for private-sector momentum.

'So, first, I'd like to thank the president for both of these EOs,' Krishna said at the White House event. 'The role of the government is often underestimated. The role of the government in pushing innovation and technology forward is what both of these will achieve.'

What IBM's CEO Committed To

Krishna argued that federal coordination across departments would give companies like IBM the confidence to scale up investment. 'Asking for the investment in quantum computing, asking that the departments all work together will actually accelerate what industry does, because that gives us the confidence to invest even more,' he said. He added that IBM was committed to delivering quantum systems within Trump's current term — a direct response to requests made by Cabinet secretaries at the event.

Industry and Government Voices

Google President Ruth Porat, who also appeared at the event, called quantum computing 'a breakthrough critical technology' and asserted that the United States remains at the forefront of the field. 'The US is in the lead, will stay in the lead,' she said. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick highlighted a recent $2 billion federal investment in quantum research, and pointed to government support for domestic semiconductor and manufacturing facilities needed to produce next-generation quantum hardware inside the United States.

Broader US Quantum Strategy

The administration's wider quantum agenda spans expanding research programmes, strengthening domestic supply chains, scaling workforce training, and deploying quantum-resistant cyber security standards across federal agencies. Trump framed quantum technology as 'the next generation of innovation across computing, sensing, and networking,' declaring: 'We're already the leader by a lot, and we're going to be now the leader by a lot more.' This comes amid intensifying global competition in quantum research, particularly from China, which has made state-backed quantum investment a national priority. Notably, the White House event signals a rare alignment of Big Tech and the current administration on a long-term science policy agenda.

What Comes Next

Federal agencies are now expected to begin transitioning their systems toward post-quantum encryption standards, while industry partners such as IBM and Google are anticipated to deepen their collaboration with government research bodies. The commitment to deliver operational quantum systems within the current presidential term sets a concrete — and ambitious — benchmark that the industry will be held to.