{"id":207981,"date":"2023-12-18T08:11:40","date_gmt":"2023-12-18T13:11:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=207981"},"modified":"2023-12-18T08:11:40","modified_gmt":"2023-12-18T13:11:40","slug":"innovation-experts-make-their-pitch-for-quantum-technology-unleashing-excitement-urgency-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2023\/12\/innovation-experts-make-their-pitch-for-quantum-technology-unleashing-excitement-urgency-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Innovation Experts Make Their Pitch for Quantum Technology, Unleashing Excitement, Urgency"},"content":{"rendered":"

If Connecticut is afforded the opportunity to develop the most advanced technology in the world\u2014technology that would save lives, create jobs, strengthen the economy, and revolutionize many industries\u2014 how could it not vigorously pursue it?<\/p>\n

That was the question that Rajeeb Hazra, an international quantum-computing expert, and the keynote speaker at Thursday\u2019s \u201cImagining a Quantum Future\u2019\u2019 event, posed to the audience of more than 150 academic, government, and industry leaders.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat gets me fired up is a future where the entire world benefits from novel developments,\u2019\u2019 Hazra says. \u201cWe could see cures for chronic diseases. Cancer and autism, and many other diseases, could be a thing of the past.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe could create batteries that last a lifetime, so that you\u2019d never have to stop to charge an electric vehicle,\u2019\u2019 he continued. \u201cQuantum technology could solve problems that humanity, despite its best efforts, has not been able to solve.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

\"International
International quantum-computing expert Rajeeb Hazra delivers the keynote address at the event in Hartford (Nathan Oldham \/ UConn School of Business Photo).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Participants at the event learned how quantum technologies will be particularly valuable to Connecticut industries, including aerospace and advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and insurance and financial services. Leaders from each of those industries were present and helped lead breakout session discussions.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Connecticut, if you look at the recipe, has all of the ingredients in the right proportion to succeed,\u2019\u2019 says Hazra, who is the president and CEO of Quantinuum, an international firm. \u00a0\u201cCollectively I see people changing their question from \u2018Why Connecticut?\u2019 to \u2018Why not Connecticut?\u2019\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Hazra also emphasized the urgency to move forward quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to be smart because the quantum future is closer than we think,\u2019\u2019 he says. \u201cThere is not an infinite window to make these decisions.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Connecticut Innovation Officer: \u2018This is Our Moment!\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

The effort to make Connecticut a national quantum technology hub is spearheaded by Quantum CT, a collaboration of academic, business, and government entities.<\/p>\n

UConn\u2019s President Radenka Maric, Vice President for Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Pamir Alpay, and Yale University\u2019s Vice Provost for Research Michael Crair, have all taken visible leadership positions on the initiative.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis effort was initiated by Dr. Maric some 20 months ago, because she recognized the vast potential of quantum technologies,\u2019\u2019 Alpay said. Since then, the two universities have been working hand-in-hand to advance Connecticut\u2019s position as a center of excellence in quantum.<\/p>\n

In May, the National Science Foundation awarded Quantum CT with a $1 million planning grant to build a network of partners in science, education, industry, government, and within the broader community, as a whole. At the end of 2024, the team plans to submit a phase-two proposal for a $160 million award to make Connecticut the hub for nation\u2019s quantum technology.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is our moment!,\u2019\u2019 says Dan O\u2019Keefe, the commissioner designate of the Department of Economic and Community Development and Connecticut\u2019s chief innovation officer. Connecticut has the brainpower and the expertise to advance complicated projects, including those involving quantum technologies. The state has recovered from the pandemic, and is poised for something big. \u201cNow we need everyone rowing in the same direction,\u2019\u2019 he says.<\/p>\n

Technology Could Revolutionize Almost Every Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2018Imagining a Quantum Future\u2019 was the first event of its kind put on in support of Quantum CT. It was organized jointly by Launc[H], the driving force behind Hartford\u2019s innovation ecosystem, the City of Hartford, the event\u2019s lead sponsor, and UConn and Yale. Hosting it at the School of Business facility in Hartford was also strategic.<\/p>\n

\u201cQuantum technologies could revolutionize business in virtually every industry,\u2019\u2019 says David Souder, senior associate dean at the School of Business. \u201cWe are committed to developing talent that is prepared to address these complex challenges.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Dr. Jeffrey Hines, UConn Health\u2019s Chief Diversity Officer, says quantum technology has the ability to benefit many previously marginalized communities, through workforce development, education, manufacturing and more. He believes that efforts being made to develop comprehensive workforce development and education strategies, through Quantum CT, offer tremendous opportunities to advance equity and inclusion in our state.<\/p>\n

Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, who is completing his eighth and final year in office, says that quantum technology has enormous potential to transform the world and Connecticut\u2019s industries. He says he is excited about the synergy between Yale and UConn.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a powerful partnership that marshals all the strengths of academics and industry to accelerate this work and position Connecticut at the forefront,\u2019\u2019 he says.<\/p>\n

Hartford Mayor-Elect Arunan Arulampalam also expressed his enthusiasm and support for advancing Hartford\u2019s position as a center of innovation. \u201cWe\u2019re reclaiming the soul of this city!,\u2019\u2019 he said, citing the fact that the first electric vehicle was developed and built in Hartford a century before the emergence of Tesla.<\/p>\n

Crair, from Yale, says that the collegiate partnership has been mutually beneficial and will help the institutions recruit and retain the best educators, who seek environment of innovation and robust discovery.<\/p>\n

Alpay, his UConn counterpart, says he is excited about the economic development opportunities that Quantum CT can generate, as well as its focus on developing new strategies to educate the next-generation workforce.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the technology of the future and we recognize the importance and opportunities of leading from the inception,\u2019\u2019 he says.<\/p>\n

Maric says she is pleased with the progress that the team has made so far, and remains excited for what is to come.<\/p>\n

\u201cUConn is honored to join Yale as leaders in the effort to make Connecticut America\u2019s accelerator by transforming a diverse, compact region into an economic development powerhouse using quantum tech,\u201d Maric says. \u201cOur event, \u2018Imagining a Quantum Future\u2019 in Hartford generated tremendous excitement and helped to strengthen the partnerships that we will need to succeed.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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