Universities must act quickly and prepare to expand access to quantum education to diverse communities and support programs that serve underrepresented groups in STEM. Institutions around the world are partnering with companies that can help universities build the AI and quantum ecosystem they need to train the next generation of qualified workers.
Quantum computing alone, which represents the largest market potential for the three main areas of Quantum technology, could account for nearly $700 billion in value. The other two areas being quantum sensing and quantum communications. A wide talent gap in Quantum technology and AI-related roles threatens to stall progress on breakthrough quantum use cases, according to McKinsey research.
McKinsey research reveals that there is only one qualified quantum candidate available for every three quantum job openings. The talent gap in quantum technology is wide. By 2025, McKinsey predicts that less than 50 percent of quantum computing jobs will be filled unless significant interventions occur since the number of job postings outstrips qualified talent by as much as three to one.
According to McKinsey, as of December 2021, there have been 851 active job postings whereas the number of Quantum technology master’s-level graduates yearly has been 290. The estimate was based on the number of universities with such programs and home many students graduate per year. Quantum technology-relevant fields include biochemistry, chemistry, electronics and chemical engineering, information and communications technology, mathematics and statistics, and physics.
In response to the increasing demand for talent, industry and academia strategic partnerships in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Quantum technology space are on the rise. Earlier this month, The City University of New York (CUNY) partnered with SandboxAQ, a leader delivering the combined impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Quantum technology (AQ), to expand quantum education opportunities and create a sustainable ecosystem for the future quantum workforce.
As part of the partnership, a SandboxAQ sponsorship of $200,000 will help to fund a new, first-of-its-kind undergraduate photonics lab where students will run Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST) experiments, which the company will co-design with CUNY faculty. The lab will be located on The City College of New York campus and focus on the foundational physics behind new Quantum technologies such as superposition, entanglement, manipulation, measurement, and long-range quantum communication. The experiments will enable students to learn theoretical fundamentals while gaining practical experience in real-world quantum engineering.
The multi-layered partnership includes the launch of several other initiatives that will significantly expand the quantum ecosystem and foster a more diverse, skilled quantum workforce for the next generation of innovators. “Our new photonics lab and other related programs will greatly enhance both the academic and career opportunities for our students, giving them the chance to experiment with cutting-edge science and open new doors to a successful future,” said Dr. Seth Cottrell, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Physics at City College, CUNY.
“Quantum technologies promise to revolutionize nearly every industry, but in order to achieve this reality and fuel its growth the quantum industry must cultivate a steady pipeline of highly-educated and trained scientists, engineers, and mathematicians through innovative partnerships with academic institutions like CUNY,” said Marianna Bonanome, Head of Education Outreach at SandboxAQ.
In addition, SandboxAQ is organizing and sponsoring an ongoing series of in-person quantum workshops and the CUNY Graduate Center. The first two-day program held earlier this month was on quantum networks. The workshops present CUNY graduate students as well as advanced undergraduates in physics, mathematics, and computer science with a unique opportunity to learn more about quantum-related topics from leading industry and academic experts from various universities.
“Beyond the lab, these quantum workshops will enable CUNY students to advance their studies, gain hands-on experience with quantum technologies, acquire valuable insights, and network with leading experts in the field,” said Mark Hillery, Professor at Hunter College, who organized the Quantum Networks workshop.
In the quantum inner circles, New York City is known for its vibrant photonics research community. The CUNY new photonics lab will further contribute to the future of quantum education with new seminars and workshops in the photonics field.