CHICAGO | Economic & Business Development

[marothisu]

Are people seriously debating whether an industry with DARPA backing plus UIUC, U of Chicago plus another company that can invest $1B is something that should be done?

Please don't quit your day jobs.

While quantum computing is early, this has legitimately the ability to change the world. Our governor is smart enough to realize this and has put Illinois and Chicago in place to be the leaders not only for the US but possibly the entire world. This is legitimately a possible game changer for the state and region if successful in the way that tech transformed the Bay Area into one of the richest and important regions ever to grace this earth. But the implications of a successful 1 million qubit QC are immense for the progress of humanity.

Now DARPA is majorly behind this - you know, the org behind the literal invention of the internet, GPS, drones, the computer GUI and mouse, stealth technology, bullets that can change direction in flight, high altitude LIDAR, etc.

Don't be so fucking short sighted.

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Are people seriously debating whether an industry with DARPA backing plus UIUC, U of Chicago plus another company that can invest $1B is something that should be done?

Please don't quit your day jobs.

While quantum computing is early, this has legitimately the ability to change the world. Our governor is smart enough to realize this and has put Illinois and Chicago in place to be the leaders not only for the US but possibly the entire world. This is legitimately a possible game changer for the state and region if successful in the way that tech transformed the Bay Area into one of the richest and important regions ever to grace this earth. But the implications of a successful 1 million qubit QC are immense for the progress of humanity.

Now DARPA is majorly behind this - you know, the org behind the literal invention of the internet, GPS, drones, the computer GUI and mouse, stealth technology, bullets that can change direction in flight, high altitude LIDAR, etc.

Don't be so fucking short sighted.

This is the only logical response to naysayers and doubters. Thank you.

[twister244]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Are people seriously debating whether an industry with DARPA backing plus UIUC, U of Chicago plus another company that can invest $1B is something that should be done?

Please don't quit your day jobs.

While quantum computing is early, this has legitimately the ability to change the world. Our governor is smart enough to realize this and has put Illinois and Chicago in place to be the leaders not only for the US but possibly the entire world. This is legitimately a possible game changer for the state and region if successful in the way that tech transformed the Bay Area into one of the richest and important regions ever to grace this earth. But the implications of a successful 1 million qubit QC are immense for the progress of humanity.

Now DARPA is majorly behind this - you know, the org behind the literal invention of the internet, GPS, drones, the computer GUI and mouse, stealth technology, bullets that can change direction in flight, high altitude LIDAR, etc.

Don't be so fucking short sighted.

+1 - Great post.

[marothisu]

I left out FermiLab and Argonne are behind this too. DARPA has been working on quantum stuff for years too. I know someone who was on a quantum DARPA project over 5 years ago. And it was succesful. It's not like they're new to this.

I can't believe there's actual people naysaying this. So shortsighted and probably a reason why Chicago falls behind on some of the things like establishing industries. Too many naysayers who don't know what they are talking about or can't take a risk to save their lives.

Thank God for Pritzker on this.

[sentinel]

Tangential, but relevant: three years ago, I helped design and manage construction of a lab for a new researcher at U of C in the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, who is a leader in computational biology and genomics. She was a new transplant to Chicago at the time, and THE draw to Chicago was the the program at U of C that she was joining as a professor, because she was very well aware of how important both the University program is and also the fact that the Quantum Exchange is also located here.
The significance of this facility being built here in Chicago cannot be overstated, because it will draw so many researchers to the area from a variety of fields (quantum computing, computational biology, subatomic physics, etc). It is almost in a way like having a new Argonne or Fermilab, because it will only grow over the years and truly cement Chicago's reputation as THE destination for quantum computing and research for many disciplines.

[VivaLFuego]

Originally Posted by Via Chicago

tbh this is a reason why im not really seeing how this is "transformational" for the south side that so many seem to be implying. its an isolated office park running a data center. an experimental data center, but nevertheless. i dont see how any implied benefits are going to trickle down to this to surrounding neighborhoods. this is hardly your standard tech company which would be employing thousands of locals. its cool from a science perspective but the impact feels overstated outside of all the contractors who are going to get construction work

Correct. This site has a decent ~30-35 -minute commute catchment area, reaching places like Beverly, Homewood, South Loop, and even Munster, with Whiting and Hyde Park more like 15 minutes.

It's a positive development for the city and region regardless of whether the immediate surrounding neighborhood fundamentally changes.

Decades of major projects to move large agencies staffed with hundreds, sometimes thousands of well-paid employees to SE DC and Southern PG - the Coast Guard/DHS, Census Bureau, plus several small agencies and departments - have not gentrified their surrounding areas. People commute to Suitland and commute out, and generally don't leave the gated compound, which maintains its own cafeteria, gym, etc. as needed.

Likewise, you've got lots of well-paid engineers, skilled trades, and office support staff working in East Garfield Park (CTA West Shops) and Englewood (City's 2FM, CTA South Shops) and they aren't exactly creating an investment stampede in those neighborhoods. If anything, as time has gone on, those agencies have had to continually request and construct reinforcement of security barriers and perimeters of their facilities to protect staff from relentlessly encroaching criminality.