Everyone is talking about new quantum technologies, but what exactly is quantum and why are scientists, engineers and technologists so excited by the potential for this new field? On Monday, December 8, MIT will launch the MIT Quantum Initiative (or QMIT), an Institute-wide effort to apply quantum breakthroughs to the most consequential challenges in science, technology, industry, and national security.
The interdisciplinary endeavor, the newest of MIT President Sally Kornbluth’s strategic initiatives, will bring together MIT researchers and domain experts from a range of industries to identify and tackle practical challenges wherever quantum solutions could achieve the greatest impact. In collaboration with MIT Lincoln Laboratory, industry leaders and end users from all domains, researchers from across the traditional quantum disciplines will work to identify and advance the most significant practical applications in science, technology, industry and national security.
The QMIT launch event will feature:
- Introductory remarks by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and MIT President Sally Kornbluth;
- MIT quantum luminaries, from Nobel Laureates Moungi Bawendi and Wolfgang Ketterle to Peter Shor, Nergis Mavalvala, Pablo Jarillo-Herrero, Paola Cappellaro, Isaac Chuang, Will Oliver, Vladan Vuletić and many others
- Industry leaders including Jay M. Gambetta (Director of Research, IBM), Hartmut Neven (Founder and Lead, Google Quantum AI) – and a range of MIT startups
- Eric Lander, Broad Institute founding director emeritus, offering reflections on the early adoption of innovative technology
- A lunchtime poster session highlighting student research in quantum science and engineering
More information on QMIT can be found here and the full agenda can be found here.
