California officials and academic leaders gathered at the University of California, Berkeley to launch Quantum California, a new statewide initiative aimed at uniting university researchers, industry representatives, and government agencies in developing quantum technology and creating jobs.
“California has always been the place where the future happens first – everything from semiconductors to the internet to clean energy. With Quantum California, we’re ensuring the next revolution in technology starts here, too. Quantum computing, sensing, and communication will transform the world as we know it, and California will lead the way, creating jobs, advancing discovery and securing our technological edge for decades to come,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
The event was co-hosted by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), the University of California Office of the President, and UC Berkeley. The initiative is designed to keep California at the forefront of emerging technologies by fostering collaboration across sectors. This follows recent legislation signed by Governor Newsom that provides funding intended to support growth in quantum research and industry.
Participants included Theresa A. Maldonado (Vice President for Research & Innovation), Dee Dee Myers (Director of GO-Biz), Nani Coloretti (Cabinet Secretary for Governor Newsom), Stewart Knox (Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Agency), and Nick Maduros (Secretary of Government Operations Agency).
Quantum computing can process complex equations far faster than traditional computers, potentially transforming areas such as drug discovery, artificial intelligence development, climate modeling, and advanced manufacturing. At the event, experts discussed how quantum sensing could change scientific observation methods while quantum communication may enable highly secure networks.
Officials also reviewed how national quantum centers based in California—along with national labs and industry partners—can provide infrastructure for research testing and help move innovations from prototype to practical use.
California is home to both National Science Foundation- and Department of Energy-funded quantum research centers. It hosts leading companies in this field as well as top-ranked artificial intelligence programs at universities including UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UCLA, Stanford University, and Caltech.
“Quantum California brings together some of the world’s best researchers, most successful businesses, and top state leaders to advance technology, science, and economic strength — and ensure that California remains the world’s innovation hub,” said University of California President James B. Milliken. “From our campuses to our national labs, UC researchers are at the vanguard of quantum breakthroughs, paving the way to a healthier, safer, and more prosperous California. UC is proud to join our partners in this effort.”
Major research centers are located at several institutions including UC Berkeley; UCLA; USC; Stanford; Google Quantum AI Campus (affiliated with UC Santa Barbara); Microsoft’s Station Q Lab (UC Santa Barbara); and Amazon Web Services Center for Quantum Computing (Caltech).
“Berkeley is thrilled and honored to be the launchpad for ‘Quantum California,” said UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons. “Our university excels at what this moment demands: fueling and facilitating the free exchange of ideas between academia, industry, and the government in pursuit of discoveries that will advance the health, well-being, and security of the American people.”
In October 2025 Assembly Bill 940 was signed into law by Governor Newsom. Authored by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland), it directs GO-Biz to create a strategic framework aligned with state economic plans that supports regional growth in quantum industries throughout California. The bill includes $4 million from state funds aimed at building talent pipelines while encouraging research partnerships between universities and private companies.
“Quantum California is about turning discovery into opportunity so that our state’s research powerhouses can connect with entrepreneurs and companies to drive real innovation, investment,and job creation,” said Dee Dee Myers,S enior Advisor to Governor Newsomand Directorof GO-Biz.“No other placein t heworld hasthe abilityto bringtogetherthis depthoftalent ,technology,and creativityas aforcefor economicprogress.”
California continues its role as one ofthe largest economies globally.Its leadership spans new business formation ,venture capital access ,manufacturing,and agriculture .Recent trends show ongoing population growth alongside record tourism spending ,reflecting broad-based economic expansion across key sectors statewide.
