Illinois, Australia, United Kingdom Meet to Boost Collaboration Across Business and Technology Sectors.

Image: lllinois Governor JB Pritzker, VP of Bus. Dev, Diraq - Boyar Naito, and Australian Ambassador to the U.S. Kevin Rudd

WASHINGTON, DC- Yesterday, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Australian Ambassador to the U.S. Kevin Rudd, and United Kingdom Ambassador the U.S. Peter Mandelson met with business and technology leaders to discuss boosting collaboration and advancing innovation in the fast-growing quantum industries. As part of the event, the three leaders participated in a quantum roundtable alongside leading international quantum companies, highlighting opportunities for joint research and design efforts, cross-border partnerships, and workforce development. Illinois also signed a letter of intent which will see Australian technology firm Diraq expand its US footprint to the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park as a tenant. Diraq is working on technology that supports quantum computers in the exchange of information.

“Illinois is on a mission to be at the center of the growing quantum industry, and is proud to be one of only a few states in the nation to invest in infrastructure and partnerships for the quantum future,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Meaningful collaboration across borders will ensure the strongest opportunities for innovation, research, and success—all while creating jobs and economic growth for the people of our respective regions.”

Australian Ambassador Kevin Rudd highlighted the transformative opportunities that quantum technologies offer, and the value of partnerships.

“Australia has a proud track record in leading technological advances in quantum technologies,” said Ambassador Rudd. “These technologies are no longer theoretical – they are finding their way into more and more real-world applications. And there are bigger things to come – with quantum computing set to transform industries and solve previously intractable problems. Collaboration across borders, between governments, industry and academia, sends a clear message about our commitment to advancing quantum technologies consistent with our shared interests and values.”

United Kingdom Ambassador Peter Mandelson spoke about the need to build on our existing strengths and collaborate further with allies.

“In an era of heightened competition and contest, we cannot afford to stand still," said Ambassador Mandelson. "The UK has a thriving trillion-dollar tech sector, but we must combine strengths with our allies to keep ahead in the global race. We must intensify our collaboration across critical advanced technologies to reach the breakthroughs in quantum and AI that will define this century.”

Read more via the Governor Pritzker (US) Newsroom