Navigating hype, interdisciplinary collaboration, and industry partnerships in quantum information science and technology: perspectives from leading quantum educators

Abstract The rapid advancement of quantum information science and technology (QIST) has generated significant attention from people in academia and industry as well as the public. Recent advances in QIST have led to both opportunities and challenges for students and researchers who are curious about the true potential of the field amid hype, considering whether their skills are commensurate with what the field needs, and contemplating how collaborating with industries may impact their research including their students’ ability to publish their research. This qualitative study presents perspectives from leading quantum researchers who are educators on three critical aspects shaping QIST’s development: (1) the impact of hype in the field and strategies for managing expectations, (2) approaches to creating conducive environments that attract students and established scientists and engineers from non-physics disciplines, and (3) effective models for fostering university-industry partnerships that can be valuable for students and researchers alike. These aspects, along with several interconnected challenges that the QIST community faces, were explored through in-depth interviews with quantum educators. Our findings reveal nuanced perspectives on managing the hype cycle, with experts acknowledging both its benefits in attracting talent and funding, and its risks in creating unrealistic expectations. Regarding greater interdisciplinary engagement and attracting more non-physicists to QIST, educators emphasized the need to recognize and leverage existing expertise from fields such as computer science, materials science, and engineering, while developing tailored educational pathways that meet diverse student backgrounds to prepare them for the QIST workforce. On university-industry partnerships, respondents highlighted successful models, some of them with specific focus on student development while noting persistent challenges around intellectual property, confidentiality, and differing organizational goals. These insights provide valuable guidance for educators, policymakers, and industry leaders working to build a sustainable quantum workforce while maintaining realistic expectations about the field’s trajectory as we celebrate the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.