Colorado has emerged as a leader in quantum technologies, which hold the promise of breakthroughs in computing, communications, pharmaceuticals and other fields.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has designated Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming as a quantum tech hub and awarded the consortium an initial $40.5 million grant. Colorado lawmakers this year passed a tax incentive package to draw more quantum firms to Colorado.
Gov. Jared Polis (D), a tech entrepreneur before running for office, is bullish about quantum and his state’s role in the industry’s future. He spoke with Pluribus News about Colorado’s efforts to lead the nation in quantum research and development.
This conversation was edited for length and clarity.
Pluribus News: How would you describe or define what quantum technology is for the uninitiated?
Jared Polis: It’s, of course, quantum computing, but also all the enabling technologies around it. For instance, quantum computing occurs at very cold temperatures so these cryo chambers and cold chain technologies are absolutely critical. Laser technologies, application and software for quantum. It’s not just manufacturing of computers. In fact, some might be built here, some might be built other places. It’s really about the technological suite for successful deployment of quantum computing to solve real world problems.
PN: When you’re trying to build the Mountain West states, or your state in particular, as a hub of quantum technology, what are you envisioning?
Polis: We are the leader of the industry where it’s at. This is an early-stage industry. Colorado has over 3,000 jobs in the quantum sector, and while that doesn’t sound like a lot of jobs, that’s more than any other part of the country because it’s more developed here. We also have four Nobel Prize winners in this sector and a lot of the academic research. If you believe, as I do, that the future of computational technology will revolve around quantum computing, we want Colorado to be the hub of that with all of the know-how, from the theoretical side to the manufacturing side. We have a leadership position already and we want to double down on that.
PN: Can you put this in the context of the race to compete in artificial intelligence, which is what we’re hearing about so much these days. How does quantum fit in?
Polis: It’s related in the sense that increasingly complex AI will require more computational power, and where that computational power will likely come from is quantum computing technology. You’re going to need more processing power and more simultaneous processing power. Quantum computing technology can help power a more integrated future for artificial intelligence.
PN: There’s also a huge race for quantum supremacy between the U.S. and China right now. Can you put what your state is trying to do in this space in the context of this global arms race?
Polis: Speaking for America, it’s great that we have established a tech hub around quantum technology, because we want America to be a leading country at the table. On our own in Colorado we have a memorandum of understanding with Finland, the European leader in quantum technology. I’ve been there, they’ve been here. Their ministers, we have a number of cooperations between companies as well as the academic sector in both countries. And yes the competition is global, meaning we need to work with our allies on this fundamental technology that will power the future from AI to military to consumer applications to telecommunications to really everything that involves computing today.
PN: In May, you signed a new tax incentive package for the quantum industry. Last month, your regional quantum tech hub known as Elevate Quantum received a federal CHIPS Act grant of $40.5 million. How will that investment fuel the next phase of development of this industry in your state and region?
Polis: Our state incentives are directly around deploying private capital, so they’re incentives for folks that are looking at investing nationally in quantum technology to deploy their capital in Colorado and receive greater leverage for it. It fits in well and is completely consistent with the $41 million from the federal government in terms of establishing some of the key infrastructure that we need. We want to unlock more private capital to help create jobs and establish America and Colorado as the center of the quantum computing revolution.
PN: Illinois and Gov. JB Pritzker (D) are going to try to give you a run for your money on quantum. They want to make Illinois the “Silicon Valley of quantum development.” Are you concerned at all about getting beat by Illinois?
Polis: We welcome innovation wherever it occurs, but we have a leadership position and we plan to take the right course to continue to grow Colorado’s leadership in this sector.
PN: As someone with a business background: Why do you think quantum computing is so promising for humankind, for economic development? What are the business cases for this?
Polis: The business cases are far-reaching. You touched upon AI. It’s everything from revolutionizing health care to military and space applications. What you can do with exponentially more powerful, simultaneous processing is enormous across nearly every sector that requires complex computations.
PN: Generative AI is here already. A fault-free quantum computer may still be years, even a decade or more away. Why invest and make this bet now?
Polis: Yes and no. There is a market already, and quantum computing exists. There are use cases that make sense and apply today. It’s not only used experimentally. But yes, of course, additional work around commercialization and being able to deploy quantum computing towards more effective functions is imminent and we’re excited to be at the forefront of that.
PN: There are some concerns about the downsides and the risks with quantum computing especially around national security and cybersecurity and cryptology. Do you have concerns about this? Do you think there need to be guardrails a la what your state has just passed for AI?
Polis: Not so much, as long as you are leading the way on the defense side, the white hat side. Potentially would it give a bad actor more capabilities? Yes. But if you are ahead of the curve on the defense side and you implement across critical infrastructure quantum computing-informed defense, it can actually enhance the defense and cybersecurity of our systems.
PN: What do you want people to know about Colorado when it comes to quantum technology and quantum computing?
Polis: We have the research and academic side, we have rapid commercialization, we have the advanced manufacturing, and we have our state and federal policy aligned for Colorado to be the center of the quantum economy.
Read more: States compete for quantum supremacy