Special Competitive Studies Project extends support for Quantum Scholars; funds scholars’ trips to AI+ Expo
The has expanded its support for 鶹ѰBoulder’s Quantum Scholars program, providing scholarship and conference travel support over the next two years. Up to 50 undergraduates will receive an SCSP quantum scholarship for their engagement in the program, which helps students explore quantum science and technology through professional development and connections with industry leaders.
A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, SCSP brings together industry leaders, policy makers, venture capitalists, and academics to support America’s competitiveness in key technologies such as quantum and AI.
SCSP’s renewed support for Quantum Scholars comes at a time when the program is experiencing continually increasing student demand and limited scholarship funding. About half of the students in this year’s Quantum Scholars cohort are receiving a scholarship.
“SCSP’s generous donation to the Quantum Scholars program has been instrumental to its growth and success,” says Michael Ritzwoller, professor and co-director of Quantum Scholars. “As our largest donor, SCSP has enabled us to support many more students and expand the program. Just as importantly, our relationship with SCSP has broadened the program’s perspective, helping students see quantum science and technology in the wider context of national security, economic competitiveness, job creation, and public policy.”
Scholars head to AI+ Expo
A key component of SCSP’s support funds travel for a select group of scholars to attend SCSP’s annual AI+ Expo conference in Washington, D.C. This year, the program sent 14 scholars to the conference.
After flying out of Denver International Airport in a late spring snowstorm, the scholars arrived in D.C. and explored the National Mall and the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.
Early the next day, they hit the ground running at the AI+ Expo, attending talks and panels, including one titled “Building the Quantum Alliance,” which highlighted the importance of government, industry and academia working together. This theme was echoed throughout several sessions, according to the scholars.
“One of my biggest takeaways was seeing how closely academia, industry, and government are working together to address major national and global challenges,” says Kellan Stodden, an electrical engineering senior. “The AI in American Science panel highlighted the GENESIS mission, an initiative leveraging AI to accelerate scientific discovery. The panel reinforced my belief that the most important technological breakthroughs will come from interdisciplinary teams working toward a common mission.”
Abby Malstrom, who is double majoring in math and physics, underscored the scale of AI, likening it to the next industrial revolution. She said attending these talks, particularly those about the Genesis Mission, “really opened my eyes to the capabilities AI has to help with new scientific discoveries.”
Beyond the technical talks and networking, the scholars attending the expo shared how the trip helped them form connections and build camaraderie among the group.
“We are so proud of our partnership to build and advance Quantum Scholars with our student-scholars,” says Noah Finkelstein, distinguished professor and co-director of Quantum Scholars. “In fact, it was a group of three scholars who seeded the idea to attend the AI+ Expo in the first place. The benefits of the program go well beyond content learning, and perspective—it supports their professional development, their identities as scholars in quantum sciences, and the community, itself.”
AI for good
Some scholars attending the expo initially shared hesitations about the rapid expansion of AI and the need to develop policies and standards for ethical use. However, the conference showed them many examples of AI being put to good use.
Malstrom highlighted Parallel, a company developing autonomous railway systems. “What I found really inspiring was how much safer their trains were,” she says. “Their trains can brake more quickly, detach carts on demand, and require no conductor. The technology and physics behind them were fascinating.”
In one panel, Stodden said the moderator shared a personal story about how an advanced medical device enabled by semiconductor technology helped save his child’s life after doctors had predicted the child would not survive long after birth.
“It was a powerful reminder that engineering is about much more than technical achievement,” says Stodden.
Nate Moretsky, physics major and member of the Quantum Scholars executive board, reflected as he sat in front of the Apollo Mission capsules at the Smithsonian that, while the Apollo Mission is now history, we are in the middle of a quantum and AI revolution, and no one knows what might be displayed in a quantum museum 70 years from now.
“This is a big reminder that the stuff we do actually matters,” says Moretsky. “It’s easy to get bogged down in the classroom or lab but we need to get involved to make sure technology is bringing us where we want to go.”
Engineering physics major Noah Carpenter adds, “It is so essential as scientists and engineers for us to see how our research and innovations can affect the world.”