Illinois and IBM Launch National Quantum Algorithm Center to Drive Quantum Utility

Insider Brief:

• Illinois announced the National Quantum Algorithm Center in collaboration with IBM and Governor JB Pritzker, to be located within the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) in Chicago.

• IBM Quantum System Two, powered by the Quantum Heron processor, will enable advanced algorithms beyond classical simulation capabilities and support research through IBM’s Qiskit platform.

• The center will unite experts from academia and industry to develop hybrid quantum-classical workflows, fostering innovation in solving complex industry challenges.

PRESS RELEASE — Illinois has the ingredients necessary to become a major hub for quantum computing with the announcement of the National Quantum Algorithm Center, a collaboration between IBM and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. According to the announcement, the center will be located within the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) in Chicago. The IQMP, described as a first-of-its-kind site for quantum scale-up and advanced microelectronics research, offers shared infrastructure such as cryogenic and test equipment to accelerate research and commercialization, while providing a space for collaboration among scientists, engineers, and end users across the quantum ecosystem.

IBM Quantum System Two: Advancing Utility-Scale Quantum Computing

IBM Quantum System Two, expected to be operational in Chicago next year, will include the IBM Quantum Heron processor to execute utility-scale algorithms. As described in the release, these algorithms are expected to exceed “the capabilities of brute-force, classical simulation methods” and provide computational advantages for complex scientific and industrial problems. The system will integrate with Qiskit, IBM’s open-source quantum software platform, allowing researchers to design and execute advanced quantum circuits.

Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO of IBM, outlined the project’s broader goals, stating, “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.”

One goal of the National Quantum Algorithm Center is to bring together quantum information experts, experimentalists, and industry leaders to develop innovative workflows using quantum-centric computing. This includes extensive experimentation with hybrid quantum-classical architectures to address industry-specific problems effectively.

Harley Johnson, Director and CEO of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, highlighted the collaborative vision of the center: “The National Quantum Algorithm Center will be a place where innovators can realize the potential quantum computing holds to solve some of our most complex problems, and we’re grateful to have IBM as a part of our campus.”

Building a Collaborative Illinois Quantum Ecosystem

Governor JB Pritzker emphasized the potential of the center for the state: “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.”

The center is expected to cultivate collaboration among existing quantum establishments, including the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, as well as encourage partnerships with the Chicago Quantum Exchange and Bloch Quantum Technology Hub.

The center builds upon the existing Illinois’ quantum ecosystem, which includes leading universities, research institutions, and industrial partnerships. Paul Alivisatos, President of the University of Chicago, remarked on the significance of this collaboration: “The development of new algorithms is the next step to demonstrating effective quantum computations across a wide range of important problems and sectors.”

Rashid Bashir, Dean of The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, noted, “Our collaborative ecosystem is perfectly positioned to lead the National Quantum Algorithm Center through world-renowned faculty and students, and an entrepreneurial spirit that answers the most pressing questions of our time.”

The Future Shape of Quantum Research in Illinois

With IBM’s cutting-edge Quantum System Two at its core and support from academic and industry leaders, the National Quantum Algorithm Center is positioned to drive innovation in quantum algorithms and hybrid computing solutions. This initiative underscores Illinois’ growing role in addressing complex scientific and industrial challenges through quantum technologies.

As John Atkinson, Chairman of Intersect Illinois, stated, “The announcement of the National Quantum Algorithm Center… is a pivotal moment in Illinois’ trajectory toward becoming a world leader in quantum research and development.”