Italy Courts IonQ as Rome Seeks Deeper U.S. Quantum Ties

Insider Brief

• Italy is pursuing deeper cooperation with IonQ and the United States to strengthen its domestic quantum technology ecosystem.
• Talks in New York covered investment, research and connections among companies, universities, institutions and skilled workers.
• Butti’s U.S. mission continues in North Carolina for research discussions and Washington for political and institutional meetings.
• Image: Photo by Kaufdex on Pixabay

Italy is seeking closer cooperation with IonQ and other U.S. technology groups as Rome tries to turn its scientific strengths into a more competitive quantum industry.

Alessio Butti, Italy’s undersecretary of state for technological innovation and digital transition, placed quantum technology near the center of a three-city U.S. mission that began in New York, according to Decode39. The trip will continue in North Carolina before concluding in Washington.

During the New York leg, Butti attended IonQ’s Investor Day at the New York Stock Exchange and met with IonQ Chairman and CEO Niccolò de Masi and other company executives. The talks covered potential investment, research partnerships and the development of a broader quantum ecosystem connecting Italy and the United States, according to Decode39, an English-language Italian news and analysis website focused on Italy’s foreign policy, national security, technology and international relationships.