Budget proposal includes $6 million for quantum computing center

PIERRE — Several state universities would share $6 million in funding to collaborate on research into quantum computing, if a proposal from the governor is adopted by legislators.

Gov. Kristi Noem proposed the funding Tuesday during her annual budget speech at the Capitol.

“Quantum computing uses the physical properties of subatomic particles to hold a charge,” she said. “This new field can do exponentially more than a regular computer can do. Imagine a task that it would take regular computers 20 years to accomplish. A quantum computer could handle that task in just a matter of seconds.”

Noem’s spending plan totals $7.28 billion, down slightly from current budget

The $6 million budget request, along with the rest of Noem’s budget, will be considered by legislators during the annual lawmaking session that begins in January and ends in March.

The quantum computing proposal would fund a new Center for Quantum Information Science & Technology. Neither Noem nor her budget documents said whether the center will include a physical location. She said it would involve a partnership among Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota Mines in Rapid City, South Dakota State University in Brookings, and the University of South Dakota in Vermillion.

Her budget documents say the funding would be used for initial startup costs, “to support faculty and graduate students, hold an annual research symposium, and purchase access to cloud quantum computing resources from one or more of the major computing providers.” The long-term proposal also includes the implementation of degree programs.

“This center will combine numerous fields to make tremendous advancements in cybersecurity, agriculture, health care and more,” Noem said. “South Dakota will be a leader in an emerging technology.”