Quantum information science, engineering, and technologies (QISET) has entered its second phase, rapidly evolving from lab-based projects to real-world applications that are reshaping strategies and finances across the federal government and private sector. According to experts at the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative aimed at strengthening America's long-term competitiveness in artificial intelligence, this shift has profound implications for national competitiveness and economic growth.
In the first phase of QISET development, known as Quantum 1.0, quantum mechanics and science fostered the development of lasers and transistors. Today, Quantum 2.0 activity centers around developments in areas including photonics, microelectronics, and specialized materials. As the United States seeks to up its game in quantum information science, SCSP highlights the history, foundation, and future of place-based quantum innovation in a new limited newsletter, "Quantum States," which examines how different states and regions are leading the way.
States were assessed across a range of metrics, including cited quantum information science research, patents, the volume of both 'pure play' and quantum-enabling companies, the number of military research facilities, breadth of the full quantum stack (defined as computing, sensing, and networking), and the number of quantum-related job openings. "Developing a robust ecosystem of quantum technologies is not a one-size-fits-all approach, in which local leadership is guaranteed by hosting the most companies within a region. Rather, it requires a cohesive, strategic effort leveraging strengths within that state," according to the SCSP experts.
Currently, California leads in most aspects of Quantum 2.0, including industrial capacity, talent pipelines, and market ecosystems, but other established hubs include New York, Illinois, Colorado, Maryland, and Massachusetts. However, several other states are poised to become players, including Texas, North Carolina, and Florida given their high number of PhDs awarded, and the presence of Quantum research centers in many of their academic institutions. "The most successful quantum states build strong synergies between pillars of a quantum ecosystem: academia, NIST, national labs, startups, and private industry," according to the SCSP experts. Ultimately, true quantum hubs emerge where industry, academia, and government actively connect.
The implications of this state-level competition are significant. As quantum technologies move from theory to application, they promise to revolutionize fields such as computing, sensing, and networking, with potential impacts on everything from national security to economic competitiveness. The SCSP's analysis underscores that a strategic, localized approach is essential for the U.S. to maintain its edge in this critical emerging field. For more information, visit scsp.ai to learn more and for future editions of the Quantum States newsletter.
