Quantum information science, engineering, and technologies (QISET) is entering a new era, moving from lab-based research to real-world applications that are reshaping strategies and finances across the federal government and private sector. According to experts at the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative aimed at strengthening America's long-term competitiveness in artificial intelligence, this shift marks the transition from Quantum 1.0 to Quantum 2.0. In Quantum 1.0, quantum mechanics and science gave rise to transformative technologies like lasers and transistors. Today, Quantum 2.0 focuses on advances in photonics, microelectronics, and specialized materials, with far-reaching implications for computing, sensing, and networking.
To better understand how the United States can maintain its edge in this critical field, SCSP has launched a new limited newsletter, "Quantum States," which examines the history, foundation, and future of place-based quantum innovation. The newsletter assesses states across a range of metrics, including cited quantum information science research, patents, the volume of both 'pure play' and quantum-enabling companies, the number of military research facilities, breadth of the full quantum stack (defined as computing, sensing, and networking), and the number of quantum-related job openings. This comprehensive approach reveals that quantum leadership is not simply about hosting the most companies; rather, it requires a cohesive, strategic effort that leverages a state's unique strengths. As SCSP experts explain, "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."
Currently, California 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, several states are poised to become significant players, including Texas, North Carolina, and Florida, given their high number of PhDs awarded and the presence of quantum research centers in many of their academic institutions. The emergence of these new hubs underscores the importance of local synergies between academia, national labs, startups, and private industry. According to SCSP experts, "The most successful quantum states build strong synergies between pillars of a quantum ecosystem: academia, NIST, national labs, startups, and private industry." Ultimately, true quantum hubs emerge where industry, academia, and government actively connect, fostering an environment that can translate research into economic and strategic advantage.
The implications of this state-level focus are profound. As quantum technologies mature, they will impact national security, economic competitiveness, and technological sovereignty. By identifying and nurturing regional strengths, the United States can avoid a fragmented approach and instead build a distributed but interconnected quantum ecosystem. This place-based strategy could accelerate innovation, create high-quality jobs, and ensure that the benefits of Quantum 2.0 are widely shared. For policymakers, investors, and industry leaders, understanding which states are leading and why is essential for making informed decisions about resource allocation and partnership. The SCSP newsletter serves as a vital resource for tracking these developments and fostering a national conversation about the geography of quantum innovation. To learn more and for future editions of the Quantum States newsletter, visit https://scsp.ai.
