South Dakota is considering a $6M plan to introduce quantum computing research and teaching at four public universities. Jose-Marie Griffiths, president of Dakota State University, is leading the initiative. The funding would be used to hire new faculty and fund graduate student positions. The goal is to position South Dakota as a leader in quantum computing, a technology that can solve complex problems in minutes. The investment aims to attract the federal government and companies like IBM and Honeywell. Governor Kristi Noem supports the proposal, noting the potential for job creation in fields like cybersecurity, agriculture, and healthcare, reports South Decota News Watch.
South Dakota’s Quantum Computing Ambitions
South Dakota is aiming to become a significant player in the field of quantum computing. The state legislature is considering a $6 million plan to introduce teaching and research on quantum computers at four public universities. The initiative is led by Jose-Marie Griffiths, president of Dakota State University (DSU), who believes that the state needs to be involved in this emerging technology to avoid missing out on federal grants and contracts.
The proposed funding will not be used to purchase a quantum computer, which can cost up to $15 million and requires a specific environment to operate. Instead, the funds will be used over four years to create new faculty positions and graduate student slots at DSU, the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, and South Dakota State University in Brookings.
The Potential of Quantum Computing
Quantum computers are expected to solve complex problems in minutes that would take modern supercomputers years, if not decades, to solve. They could be used in various fields, including weather prediction, medicine and vaccine development, new materials and products creation, and national security and defense. Griffiths describes quantum computing as a new form of computation that leverages the capabilities of quantum physics and quantum mechanics, which involve subatomic particles.
The technology is still evolving and is a few years away from practical usage. However, the $6 million investment aims to demonstrate to the federal government and companies like IBM and Honeywell, which are pioneers in the quantum field, that the South Dakota university system is a reliable network for new research, collaborations, and future employee education.
Support from Governor Kristi Noem
The funding proposal originated with the South Dakota Board of Regents, and Governor Kristi Noem has expressed her support for a quantum computer center. She believes that the state can use the funding to establish itself as a leader in the emerging field of quantum computing, which has applications in cybersecurity, agriculture, and healthcare. The funding legislation, Senate Bill 45, has been assigned to the Senate Education Committee.
Role of DSU and Other Universities
While DSU would play a leading role in developing the quantum computer center, the $6 million would also be used to pay for new professors and graduate student spots at the four universities. It would also cover travel, training, and the use of quantum computer simulators outside the state. The South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City is already conducting research into one element of quantum computers, having recently received an $800,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.
Concerns About Advanced Technologies
As the power of computers grows and artificial intelligence plays a larger role in global society and economies, some scientists are urging caution in how these advanced technologies could be used either with intentional nefarious motives or by mistakes that manifest in negative outcomes. These concerns are shared by a growing portion of the American public, according to recent surveys by the Pew Research Center.