Florida International University Invests in Quantum Computer - GovTech

Higher Education Florida International University Invests in Quantum Computer Florida International University has pledged to bring a powerful new quantum computer to campus to support research in environmental sustainability, drug development and security. September 24, 2026 • News Staff Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Print Email IonQ Chairman and CEO Niccolo de Masi, left, and Florida International University Provost, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth Béjar hold the signed agreement for FIU to acquire an IonQ Superion 256 quantum computer during a photo opportunity Sept. 23, 2026 at IonQ headquarters in College Park, Md.Photo credit: Taimy Alvarez, Florida International University Florida International University (FIU) is bringing new technology to campus to help prepare for what some are calling the next big technological disruptor: quantum computing.Starting late 2027, students and researchers at FIU will gain access to advanced quantum computing hardware thanks to a new partnership with quantum computing vendor IonQ, the university announced today. According to the news release, the university will receive a new quantum computing system called Superion 256, which the company unveiled earlier this month.According to an earlier news release from IonQ about its Superion computing platform, this new system will allow for lower power consumption and more robust upscaling of quantum computing power in the future. “Quantum computing, like classical computing before it, ultimately scales most powerfully on a semiconductor foundation,” IonQ CEO Niccolo de Masi said in a public statement. “Superion 256 is the first quantum computer platform designed to be built by the hundreds rather than one at a time. Every generation that follows will be designed, fabricated and packaged similarly — creating unique upgradeability in our Superion platform.”With this system, FIU aims to accelerate research in three key areas: sustainability, security and healthcare. According to the university news release, environmental researchers will explore new materials and power supply options, cybersecurity researchers will help prepare encryption models for new threats in the quantum age, and health researchers will work to improve drug development.“This partnership provides our more than 1,800 faculty members, 55,000 students and countless industry partners with direct access to one of the most advanced computing architectures in the world,” FIU President Jeanette Nuñez said in a public statement. “It also puts the university in a privileged position to engage with key federal agencies to advance recently launched quantum initiatives that address national needs in the areas of sensing, cryptography, commercialization and workforce development.” FIU's news release said this kind of quantum computing power is not common in higher education, relegated to a small number of institutions like the University of Chicago and University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was the first college to gain quantum computing power in 2023. Today, according to Global Quantum Intelligence, less than 100 American universities have quantum computing research groups.FIU’s new partnership comes four months after the federal government announced a $2 billion investment in quantum computing. According to FIU's news release, the university hopes this acquisition will help draw further research funding and industry partnerships.“Having this system on campus will allow our researchers to determine where quantum computing can make a meaningful difference, while preparing students for jobs and fields that are only beginning to emerge,” Andres Gil, FIU senior vice president for research and economic development, said in a public statement. Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Print Email Tags: Quantum ComputingEmerging TechHigher EducationEducationFlorida News Staff See More Stories by News Staff