Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Dan O’Keefe says the state stepped in to invest in quantum computing technology to maintain Connecticut’s competitive edge, and to ensure the state can win a key federal grant.
“We’re not messing around here, this is not a ‘let’s see how this goes’ kind of mission,” he said. “This is one of the areas where we not only have a right to win — we are not going to lose.”
O’Keefe was speaking at the inaugural QuantumCT conference at Hartford’s Society Room Thursday.
Last year, the state announced a $121 million investment in quantum technology, including support for QuantumCT, the research collaboration co-led by the University of Connecticut and Yale, as well as a quantum incubator facility in New Haven.
QuantumCT is a finalist for a National Science Foundation grant to accelerate the technology.
The winning proposals will receive an initial two-year grant of $15 million and will be eligible for funding for an additional eight years, an award that could eventually be worth $160 million over 10 years
O’Keefe said the long timeline before quantum computing can be used in commercial applications means that conventional investors are paying attention to developments but are not yet jumping in to fund research.
Pamir Alpay, UConn’s interim provost, said the U.S. must stay competitive in the quantum field as a matter of national security. He pointed to Connecticut’s strength in the defense industry as a place where quantum applications will emerge.
“There’s so much that’s happening here in the state that would benefit from having that kind of accelerator,” he said.
QuantumCT is also consulting with companies across several sectors in the state on potential application areas including in finance, bioscience, pharmaceutical developments and aerospace.
All of the speakers touched on quantum technology’s potential as a workforce development tool, but acknowledged that there needs to be a broad educational effort to engage the public.
“We need to demystify quantum technologies, make it easier for people to accept it into their everyday lives,” said Mike Crair, Yale’s vice provost for research.
O’Keefe also warned about the effects of the Trump administration’s broader pullback from basic science investment at the federal level.
“In a time of volatility we still think these kinds of investments are incredibly important,” O’Keefe told the audience.
