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GPT Qualification Scorecard

A General Purpose Technology (GPT) is a technology so broadly applicable and continuously improving that it reshapes entire economies. Historical examples include electricity, the transistor, and the internet. This MicroSim evaluates quantum computing against the five standard GPT criteria from the economics literature, comparing it side-by-side with established GPTs.

GPT Qualification Scorecard MicroSim

View GPT Qualification Scorecard MicroSim Fullscreen

The scorecard uses a color-coded matrix (green for strong, yellow for moderate, red for weak) and an overlaid radar chart so you can compare the "shape" of each technology's GPT profile. Use the toggle buttons to show or hide technologies on the radar chart and hover over table cells for detailed justifications.

Key Takeaways

  • Electricity, Transistor: Perfect or near-perfect scores across all five criteria — textbook GPTs.
  • Internet: Strong across the board with slightly lower demonstrated productivity gains (the "Solow paradox" debate).
  • Quantum Computing: Scores 7/25, driven almost entirely by complementary R&D investment rather than actual capability. It fails decisively on pervasiveness, innovation spawning, and demonstrated productivity gains.
  • The radar chart makes the contrast visually stark: genuine GPTs fill the pentagon; quantum computing hugs the center.