Quantum information science, engineering, and technologies (QISET) has entered a new era, rapidly transitioning from laboratory research to practical applications that are reshaping federal and private sector strategies, according to experts at the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative focused on strengthening America's long-term competitiveness in artificial intelligence.
During Quantum 1.0, quantum mechanics gave rise to transformative technologies like lasers and transistors. Now, Quantum 2.0 is driving advances in photonics, microelectronics, and specialized materials, with profound implications for national security and economic leadership. As the United States seeks to accelerate its quantum capabilities, SCSP has launched a limited newsletter, "Quantum States," which examines how different states and regions are leading the charge. The newsletter assesses states on metrics including cited quantum research, patents, the number of pure play and quantum-enabling companies, military research facilities, breadth of the quantum stack (computing, sensing, and networking), and quantum-related job openings.
The SCSP experts emphasize that a successful quantum ecosystem is not simply about hosting the most companies. "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," they note. "Rather, it requires a cohesive, strategic effort leveraging strengths within that state." This insight has significant implications for policymakers and industry leaders: quantum innovation is becoming place-based, and states that foster collaboration among academia, government, and industry will be best positioned to reap the economic and security benefits.
California currently leads in most aspects of Quantum 2.0, including industrial capacity, talent pipelines, and market ecosystems. Other established hubs include New York, Illinois, Colorado, Maryland, and Massachusetts. However, emerging players like Texas, North Carolina, and Florida are gaining ground, thanks to a high number of PhDs awarded and quantum research centers at their academic institutions. The SCSP experts stress that "the most successful quantum states build strong synergies between pillars of a quantum ecosystem: academia, NIST, national labs, startups, and private industry." This means that states investing in these connections could see outsized returns in job creation, innovation, and federal funding.
The implications are clear: as quantum technologies move from theory to practice, regional specialization will determine which parts of the country lead in computing, sensing, and networking. For the federal government, this underscores the need for targeted investments that bolster local strengths rather than spreading resources thinly. For the private sector, it signals opportunities to partner with emerging hubs and tap into specialized talent. To learn more and for future editions of the Quantum States newsletter, visit https://scsp.ai.
