Tennessee takes a quantum leap toward emerging technology | Tennessee Town & City
Tennessee takes a quantum leap toward emerging technology | Tennessee Town & City
https://ttc.tml1.org/2026/06/12/tennessee-takes-quantum-leap-toward-emerging-technology
Publish Date: 2026-06-12 09:14:00
Source Domain: ttc.tml1.org
By KATE COIL
TT&C Assistant Editor
Forget Silicon Valley. Tennessee leaders expect American’s new Quantum Valley to be in the Volunteer State.
Leaders in Tennessee’s quantum industry – including University of Tennessee Chattanooga (UTC) Quantum Center Director Dr. Rick Mukherjee, EPB of Chattanooga Vice President of Government and Community Relations Evann Freeman, Tennessee Division of TennCare Chief Information Officer Hugh Hale, and Deloitte US Quantum Cyber Readiness Lead Colin Soutar – discussed how the state is building the future of quantum during the Tennessee Digital Summit panel “The Future Frontier: Realizing Tennessee’s Quantum Leap.”
Workers at Chattanooga EPB’s quantum networking facility are among those leading the way toward the state’s quantum futre. Already a key partner in the EPB Quantum Network, EPB Has partnered with IonQ finalize the installation of the Forte Enterprise Quantum Computer and is already working to develop practical applications for securing and optimizing the power grid and training EPB Quantum Computing Fellows to build a local quantum-ready workforce. (Photo by EPB)
Based on quantum bits or qubits, quantum technology enables computers to process millions of operations simultaneously. Made through quantum engineering, quantum technology – including quantum computers and sensors – can process and calculate at speeds and magnitudes far beyond most average technology, allowing for revolutionary advances in a variety of fields.
Quantum technology can handle models, information loads, and complexities more efficiently, sustainably, accurately, and with greater scalability than modern computers. Tennessee is hoping to be on the forefront of this emerging technology, which is also expected to be a major economic engine.
BUILDING AN ECOSYSTEM
Mukherjee is the first director of the UTC Quantum Center, which was established 18 months ago. While the UTC Center was the first in the state, Mukherjee said similar…
