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UChicago to Collaborate with IBM, Illinois on New National Quantum Algorithm Center

First-of-its-kind effort, announced by IBM and Gov. JB Pritzker, will include Hyde Park Labs and the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park

The University of Chicago will collaborate closely on a new initiative by IBM and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to locate IBM’s new National Quantum Algorithm Center in Chicago. 

The new center, announced by IBM and Pritzker in Chicago on Dec. 12, will initially operate out of Discovery Partners Institute and the University of Chicago, with a modular quantum computer called IBM Quantum System Two located at Hyde Park Labs, supported by the University of Chicago.

The center and the new quantum system will aim to advance quantum-centric supercomputing across industries, reinforcing Illinois’ status as a leader in emerging technology and a global quantum capital.

As construction of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) advances, IBM and IQMP aim to transition the IBM Quantum System Two to a permanent home on IQMP’s campus.

“We’re making Illinois the global quantum capital and the center for job growth in the quantum industry – a true center of innovation with the power to solve the world’s most pressing and complex challenges and create jobs and investment for our state,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The groundbreaking National Quantum Algorithm Center in Illinois represents a transformative step forward, whose impact will reverberate throughout the tech industry and beyond. I’m grateful to the leadership at IBM and our university and other industry partners for their ongoing efforts to accelerate quantum computing across our state.”

Development of the new center will enable Illinois’ growing ecosystem of quantum innovators across academia, national labs and industries to discover how quantum-centric supercomputing could be used for complex challenges. Experts believe quantum computing will help solve certain complex problems more easily than classical computers, because quantum computers process information in a unique way that lets them explore many possibilities rapidly. Integrating quantum and classical computers will help researchers to break apart problems, allowing each computing architecture to solve parts of a complex algorithm for which it is best suited.

"We are proud of the progress we have made to bring useful quantum technology to the world, and this new partnership with the State of Illinois and its thriving innovation ecosystem brings us one step closer to defining the future of computing," said Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO, IBM. "With IBM’s best performing quantum hardware and software in the heart of Illinois’ innovation network, together we can truly unlock the potential of quantum computing to solve the world’s hardest problems."

To help drive new algorithm discovery, the initiative will leverage the work of academic and industry leaders who are building a preeminent quantum ecosystem in Illinois, including IBM’s longstanding collaborations with the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and members of the Chicago Quantum Exchange and the U.S. Economic Development Administration-designated Bloch Quantum Technology Hub.

“IBM’s decision to engage more deeply with our vibrant Illinois quantum ecosystem marks a new phase in the development of quantum information technologies,” said Paul Alivisatos, president of the University of Chicago. “UChicago faculty and students will be able to deepen and expand their work in this area in collaboration with IBM scientists, colleagues from other universities, and many interested companies. The development of new algorithms is the next step to demonstrating effective quantum computations across a wide range of important problems and sectors.”

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