Maryland’s Quantum Leap: Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller Champions Innovation at Quantum World Congress
Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, a trailblazer in Maryland politics, made an impactful appearance at Quantum World Congress 2024, a premier event that brings together quantum leaders from across the globe. Her keynote address highlighted not only her passion for quantum technology but also Maryland’s pivotal role in shaping the future of this critical field.
Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller explores the IBM booth at Quantum World Congress 2024.
Born in India, Lieutenant Governor Miller immigrated to the United States at the age of 7. She is a proud civil engineer, carrying her technical background into her work as a public servant. As the second woman to serve as lieutenant governor and the first woman of color elected to statewide office in Maryland, Miller has long been a champion for STEM education, innovation, and equity. Her message at the Congress was clear: Maryland is leading the way in quantum, and the world is taking notice.
Maryland: The Heart of Quantum Research
Miller’s keynote put a spotlight on the University of Maryland (UMD), which she described as the "epicenter of quantum technology in the United States." With over $300 million invested in quantum science and more than 200 researchers at the forefront of groundbreaking work, UMD is driving advancements that could change the world. The University’s partnership with IonQ to establish the National Quantum Lab further solidifies Maryland’s leadership in this field.
Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller talks with IonQ CEO Peter Chapman at Quantum World Congress 2024.
As Peter Chapman, CEO of IonQ, remarked, quantum computing holds the potential to solve problems in one second, which would take 300 trillion years using current supercomputers. Lieutenant Governor Miller acknowledged that while wrapping our heads around this concept might be challenging, the bright minds gathered at Quantum World Congress are more than capable of making this a reality.
Quantum’s Potential to Transform Society
During her address, Miller emphasized the revolutionary potential of quantum technology in various sectors, including healthcare, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and climate change. She pointed to the collaborative spirit present at Quantum World Congress as the driving force behind these innovations. It’s this spirit that will propel humanity toward solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
She also recognized the importance of not only looking forward but remembering the past. Reflecting on the resilience displayed during significant historical events, such as September 11th, 2001, Miller encouraged the audience to move into new frontiers with the same strength and unity.
A Bold Vision for the Future
Miller’s presence at Quantum World Congress was not just about celebrating Maryland’s achievements—it was a call to action. She invited the global quantum community to come together and continue making bold strides in this emerging field. With leaders like Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller at the helm, Maryland is not just thinking big; it’s doing big.
As she closed her speech, Miller extended a warm invitation to the attendees of Quantum World Congress to visit Maryland next year, reinforcing her commitment to making Maryland a hub for innovation and the future of quantum technology.
