Cybersecurity & Tech

The country’s first quantum powered telecom system will be in New Mexico. The state is positioning itself to be a leader in quantum technologies. Fast Company says quantum is the key to energy efficient AI. 

NextGov | New Mexico unveils quantum telecom network

In 2025, Texas passed legislation supporting quantum computing. Before that states like Colorado and Illinois invested in quantum computing. Quantum computing is in the news this week for its Nobel prize. It’s the future.

“There is no advanced technology today that does not rely on quantum mechanics,” Olle Eriksson, chairman of the Nobel Committee for Physics

New York Times | Nobel Prize in Physics Is Awarded for Work in Quantum Mechanics

Fairfax County, Virginia’s support of quantum computing is being called a blue ocean opportunity. Harvard Business Review tells us blue ocean opportunities are defined as “demand is created rather than fought over. There is ample opportunity for growth that is both profitable and rapid.” This means the industries aren’t fully evolved yet. 

Virginia says the only states that are also competing for quantum computing are Illinois and Colorado. You all know this because we started talking about Illinois and Colorado way back in January 2024.

Route Fifty | How quantum became a ‘blue ocean’ opportunity for a Virginia county

@MITSLOAN  released its 2025 Quantum Index Report. It found that quantum processor performance is improving. We talked recently about Microsoft launching a quantum chip. It is moving fast. The number of quantum patents have increased 5 fold in the last decade. 91% of patents are from research institutions. The U.S. is 2nd to China in the number of patents. Only 1% of VC funding worldwide is for quantum computing. Businesses are talking more and more about quantum publicly and it is snow balling with each quarter.  The demand for a quantum ready workforce has tripled since 2018.

The Information Technology Industry Council has advice for the new national cyber director: focus on “results-driven action.” Their report lists recommendations that include advance national cyber security priorities (bye,bye state cyber laws); prepare for quantum threats; modernize cryptography; and harden the software supply chain to raise the cost for adversaries.

Microsoft has reveled its first quantum computing chip. It took 2 decades of research. And just think states are just beginning to invest in quantum computing and establish frameworks for the industry to thrive. @cnbc

Maryland is putting $1 billion toward growing quantum computing in the state and declared a “Capital of Quantum” public-private partnership. New Mexico announced that Quantinuum would build a new research and development center in the state. 

Route Fifty | Jockeying intensifies for state quantum leadership

The new Department of Energy Secretary announced that the agency will focus on quantum computing and AI to “maintain America’s global competitiveness.” We’ve talked about state initiatives in quantum computing in Illinois, Indiana, Colorado’s quantum tax incentives, and the anticipated growth rate of quantum computing.

Illinois has proposed $500 million in public and private funds for a quantum campus and other research facilities. 

Indiana has been investing in quantum computing. yeah, everyone keeps talking about AI, but quantum computing is the sleeper issue to watch. Indiana has put in $4 million in seed money to Quantum Corridor; fostered public private partnerships between tech and universities; supported a collaborative quantum computing ecosystem; and developed a quantum-savvy workforce.

Route Fifty | What other states can learn from Indiana’s investment in quantum technology

We’ve been talking about how quantum computing is the next big thing that is going to occupy policymakers time. To that end, a group of MIT researchers partnered with Accenture to develop an AI  decision-making toolkit. “The framework asks leaders to consider two conditions: feasibility (meaning whether a quantum computer exists that is sufficiently powerful to solve their particular problem) and algorithmic advantage. The overlap between the two is the quantum economic advantage.”  @MIT Sloan School

We’ve been talking about how Quantum is going to be the next big thing for lawmakers.  Colorado Governor signed HB24-1325 – Tax Credits for Quantum Industry Support. The new state tax credits for Quantum are triggered only if the Colorado based company also receives multi-million dollar federal funding. @afrotech

Emerging technology, quantum computing, we walked through the Einstein-ness of it all in January. Now here comes the government funding opportunities. Meet the Quantum Economic Development Consortium required by the 2018 National Quantum Initiative Act, which called for the Department of Commerce to establish a group of quantum stakeholders. Colorado and Illinois crafted their own quantum initiatives. 

Route Fifty | How states can take a ‘quantum’ leap in economic development

Identifying business trends: Quantum Computing. “McKinsey has estimated that 5,000 quantum computers will be operational by 2030 but that the hardware and software necessary for handling the most complex problems won’t be available until 2035 or later.” @MITSLOAN

31 community innovation hubs were announced by the Biden Administration to advance a range of technologies, including autonomous systems, quantum computing, biomedicine and green energy. Organizations include state and local governments, educational institutions, businesses and community groups in 32 states and Puerto Rico. 1/3 of the hubs must benefit small and rural communities.

Route Fifty | 31 communities tapped as innovation hub finalists