Quantum technology is emerging as a major opportunity for Arizona, and Arizona State University is helping connect the research, talent and partnerships needed to support that growth. In this conversation, Ross Maciejewski and Bruno Sinopoli discuss ASU’s role in advancing quantum computing and why preparing students for this emerging field will require deep partnership across disciplines.
Ross Maciejewski, a computer scientist and leading expert on data visualization, serves as the director of the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, or SCAI. He has been tapped for his expertise in creating visual analytics for homeland security, public health, and law enforcement. As former director of the Center for Accelerating Operational Efficiency, he led AI-powered research to fortify airport screening systems, improve scientific machine learning and evaluate the performance of large language models.
Bruno Sinopoli, an electrical engineer and internationally recognized expert in cyber-physical systems and control theory, serves as the director of the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, or ECEE. He is known for his work on secure and resilient networked systems, smart infrastructure, energy systems and the integration of communication, computation and control. Before joining ASU, he held leadership roles at Washington University in St. Louis and Carnegie Mellon University.
Question: Arizona is working to position itself as a quantum technology hub. Why is this moment important for ASU and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering?
Maciejewski: “Quantum computing represents one of those moments when a new technology has the potential to reshape many fields at once. It connects directly to computing, artificial intelligence, optimization, cybersecurity and data-intensive discovery. For ASU, this is an opportunity to help define how students, researchers and industry partners engage with a technology that is still emerging but already strategically important.”
Sinopoli: “Quantum is also important because the technology is not only about computation. It includes materials, sensing and communication systems. Those areas are deeply connected to electrical engineering and computer engineering. The State of Arizona already has strengths in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, so there is a natural foundation here for building a broader quantum ecosystem.”
Maciejewski: “That ecosystem piece matters. If Arizona wants to be a leader in quantum technology, it will need universities, industry and government working together. ASU can help provide the research capacity, the talent pipeline and the interdisciplinary culture needed to make that possible.”
Q: Quantum computing is often described as complex or difficult to understand. How should students think about entering this field?
Sinopoli: “Students should not feel that quantum is closed off to them. It is a challenging field, but it draws on many areas students may already be studying, including mathematics, physics, computing, circuits and systems. The key is giving students the right entry points and helping them see how their existing skills connect to quantum problems.”
Maciejewski: “In SCAI, we see quantum computing as an area where students can begin with curiosity and quickly connect it to problems they already care about. Gennaro De Luca’s teaching is a good example. He introduces students to quantum computing through accessible concepts and hands-on projects, while also connecting the field to research in quantum generative models. That mix of teaching and discovery helps students see a path into a field that can otherwise feel intimidating.”
Sinopoli: “And in ECEE, Andreas Spanias’s work through SenSIP shows how important it is to pair that education with research access. His students are using quantum computing and simulation tools to explore problems in areas such as health care and security. When students can move from theory to simulation and then toward real quantum hardware, quantum computing becomes something they can practice, test and help advance.”
Where do you see the strongest opportunities for collaboration between computing and electrical engineering in quantum technology?
Sinopoli: “Quantum technology sits at the intersection of hardware, algorithms and systems. You need expertise in devices and signals, but you also need expertise in software, optimization, machine learning and error mitigation. The most interesting problems are not contained within one discipline.”
Maciejewski: “From the computing side, quantum raises fascinating questions about algorithms, data, AI and how we solve problems that are currently too complex for classical systems. But those questions cannot be separated from the realities of hardware, noise, sensing and communication. That makes collaboration with ECEE essential.”
Sinopoli: “Exactly. If we want quantum computing to transition from promise to practice, students need to understand both the computational possibilities and the engineering constraints. That is where our schools can work together in a very meaningful way.”
What should peers across academia and industry understand about ASU’s role in Arizona’s quantum future?
Maciejewski: “ASU is built for this kind of challenge. We have scale, strong research expertise and a culture of collaboration across disciplines. Quantum technology will require partnerships that connect universities, companies, public agencies and students, and ASU is well positioned to help bring those groups together.”
Sinopoli: “Arizona has an opportunity to become an important center for quantum innovation because it already has assets in semiconductors, engineering, computing and workforce development. ASU can help turn those strengths into a coordinated strategy.”
Maciejewski: “For me, the goal is not only to be part of the quantum conversation, but to help prepare the people who will lead it. That means giving students access to emerging tools, supporting faculty research and building partnerships that make Arizona a place where quantum technology can grow.”
Sinopoli: “And that is where SCAI and ECEE can lead together. The future of quantum will depend on people who can think across computing, hardware, communication and intelligent systems. That is exactly the kind of interdisciplinary education and research environment ASU is working to build.”