Washington, D.C. – Illinois is positioning itself as a global hub for quantum technology, fostering international collaboration to drive innovation and economic growth. Gov. JB pritzker, along with Australian Ambassador to the U.S.Kevin Rudd and United Kingdom Ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson,recently convened with business and technology leaders to explore opportunities in the burgeoning quantum industries.

The discussions centered on joint research and design initiatives, cross-border partnerships, and workforce progress. A important outcome of the event was the signing of a letter of intent that will see Australian technology firm Diraq expand its U.S. operations to the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP). Diraq specializes in technology facilitating details exchange in quantum computers.

Illinois’ quantum Ambitions

Gov. Pritzker emphasized Illinois’ commitment to becoming a leader in the quantum sector, highlighting the state’s strategic investments in infrastructure and partnerships. Illinois is on a mission to be at the center of the growing quantum industry, and is proud to be one of onyl a few states in the nation to invest in infrastructure and partnerships for the quantum future, he stated. Meaningful collaboration across borders will ensure the strongest opportunities for innovation, research, and success—all while creating jobs and economic growth for the peopel of our respective regions.

Global Perspectives on Quantum Collaboration

Ambassador Rudd underscored the transformative potential of quantum technologies and the importance of international cooperation. Australia has a proud track record in leading technological advances in quantum technologies, he said. These technologies are no longer theoretical – they are finding their way into more and more real-world applications. And there are bigger things to come – with quantum computing set to transform industries and solve previously intractable problems. Collaboration across borders,between governments,industry and academia,sends a clear message about our commitment to advancing quantum technologies consistent with our shared interests and values.

Ambassador Mandelson echoed the sentiment, stressing the need for allied nations to combine their strengths in the face of global competition. In an era of heightened competition and contest, we cannot afford to stand still, he asserted. The UK has a thriving trillion-dollar tech sector, but we must combine strengths with our allies to keep ahead in the global race.We must intensify our collaboration across critical advanced technologies to reach the breakthroughs in quantum and AI that will define this century.

Strategic Priorities and Quantum Development

The roundtable discussions focused on accelerating quantum innovation to enhance technological advancement and security. Participants emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between governments, businesses, and academia to drive quantum development and leverage the technology for societal benefit. These shared priorities underscore the need to align strategic capabilities with emerging quantum applications.

Australia’s Quantum Strategy

Australia is actively pursuing its goal to become a global quantum leader by 2030. The Australian Government’s National Quantum Strategy, released in 2023, has spurred investments in building a robust quantum industry.The National Reconstruction Fund supports the growth of Australian quantum companies, building on investments in PsiQuantum to construct its first utility-scale quantum computer in Brisbane.The Critical Technologies Challenge Program aims to accelerate quantum commercialization, transitioning the technology from laboratory settings to real-world applications.

Illinois: The Emerging Quantum Capital

Illinois is solidifying its position as a global quantum hub with the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP). This unique facility fosters quantum advancements through collaboration among academia, the business community, and government entities. IQMP is home to PsiQuantum, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and IBM’s New National quantum Algorithm Center. Continued expansion of IQMP is projected to generate up to $20 billion in economic impact and create thousands of jobs.