What are quantum cities? How AI, real estate and civic tech are shaping the future

Keith Shaw: As more companies and employees return to working in offices, cities are beginning to make a comeback. With the rise of artificial intelligence-based technologies, the smart city concept is now returning  —  but with a turbo-infused name: quantum cities.

We're going to dive into the rise of quantum cities on this episode of Today in Tech.

Keith: Hi everybody, welcome to Today in Tech. I'm Keith Shaw. Joining me on the show today is Chase Garbarino. He is the co-founder and CEO of HqO, which is helping to drive the adoption of quantum cities. Welcome to the show, Chase.

Chase Garbarino: Keith, thanks for having me on. Appreciate it. Keith: So, as we're talking about quantum cities, how is this different from what you've heard in the past around smart cities — some of the concepts we saw, say, six or seven years ago before the pandemic?

What might be different now with a quantum city scenario that smart cities didn’t have?

Chase: The way we think about it — and you see this in a lot of tech development — is that we tend to lead with technology rather than outcome. And I think smart cities had that problem.

The way we define a quantum city is: Can we achieve 10% annualized GDP growth year over year for a sustained period, say a decade? If you lead with the outcome, we can agree or disagree more clearly on the worthiness of the goal.

Smart cities started with a lot of different technologies based on hypotheses that they'd improve the city experience, but there wasn’t a clear framework for why we were doing it.

Keith: You've outlined what a quantum city is. Can you share some key concepts? Smart cities were about technologies connecting everyone, but quantum cities are more than just connecting tech, right? Chase: Right.

We tried to define a framework for this, and we started with our fascination about why cities succeed or fail. Cities drive civilization — they’re hubs for economic output and innovation. So we asked: can we define what inputs lead to economic growth?

For us, the quantum city aims at that outcome.

When we've seen cities flourish, they typically show a combination of five factors: individual liberty, economic dynamism, system efficiency, citizen-centric design, and city compute. Whether it’s Shenzhen, Singapore, Dubai, or New York 100 years ago — when cities boom, these factors are often present.

Keith: So the key metric is 10% GDP growth over a decade? That’s your success metric?

Chase: Exactly — 10% growth over 10 years. And how you get there can vary. There's no single way to design a city’s "operating system." Some might prefer open-source, freedom-aligned models; others may use more centralized approaches. What matters is identifying your city's strengths and optimizing from there.

Keith: With smart cities, COVID definitely slowed momentum due to remote work. Are you seeing a shift back that might help drive quantum cities forward? Or can this be done with hybrid models too?

Chase: There are issues. The World Economic Forum and G20 tried to define smart city concepts, but the focus became too academic and data-driven without delivering real outcomes. COVID certainly set cities back a few years. But if you zoom out, urbanization is still trending upward.

The crux now is trust and privacy. Without them, you can’t have a real conversation about quantum or smart cities.

Keith: Is there a starting point for cities? Should they launch specific initiatives and move toward that 10% goal?

Chase: There’s no one way. With AI and other technologies evolving, cities can start where it makes sense for them. We partnered with MIT on this initiative, and even there, debates around blockchain could take up a whole conference. The bottom line: don’t try to do it all at once.

Know your city’s strengths and begin there.

Keith: How do companies play a role? You’ve got governments, residents, and employers. How do you involve them without making it feel like a dystopian corporate-controlled city?

Chase: That’s not our vision. But you’re right — some technologists are trying to start new cities from scratch, like “California Forever,” Liberty City in Guantanamo Bay, or “network states” on private islands. It’s all very experimental. Personally, I believe in letting people vote with their feet and wallets.

Choice and freedom should remain central.

That said, some countries with limited individual liberty are achieving impressive development. It’s a messy conversation, but important. Cities should be thought of as products and platforms, with competing models and measurable outcomes.

Keith: Is it easier to start a quantum city from scratch versus transforming an existing city like Detroit or Boston?

Chase: It’s not easier or harder — just different. Established cities have culture, networks, and momentum. Starting fresh offers design flexibility but lacks built-in community. For example, Boston’s cobblestones and old infrastructure are a disadvantage, but its history and emotional attachment are assets. It’s a trade-off.

We shouldn’t dismiss new ideas just because we already have cities. I support both revitalization and experimentation.

Keith: Tech often has a dual purpose — used for both good and bad. Like surveillance cameras for traffic flow can also be used by law enforcement. How do we balance that?

Chase: That’s the hardest part. The arc of history shows we’ve become freer and more prosperous, but we’re also creating tools that could threaten that. For me, a city can’t qualify as “quantum” if it’s authoritarian. There needs to be basic freedom. Safety vs. liberty is always a trade-off.

Optionality is key — we need a competitive marketplace of ideas.

Keith: Another concept you mention is reducing regulations so people can start businesses more easily. But how do you prevent shortcuts or loopholes that lead to problems, like unsafe buildings?

Chase: We need both speed and fairness. Bureaucracy doesn’t have to be a barrier to good regulation. Boston’s seaport, for example, has a valuable plot of land sitting unused due to an outdated law requiring it be used for shipbuilding. That’s absurd. Technology can help streamline permits and improve transparency.

Keith: You also mentioned civic participation. But voter turnout is often abysmal. What incentives would drive participation in a quantum city?

Chase: Our systems are often antiquated and unintentionally discourage participation. I have three kids and a busy schedule — how am I supposed to attend a one-hour town meeting in person? We need to evolve civic systems the same way we’ve evolved digital ones.

The form factor must change to increase accessibility and engagement.

Keith: It always turns into either a moral argument — “you should participate” — or a logistical one — “make it easier.” And in New England, the whole town meeting system is wild. Chase: Totally.

I’ve debated this with my mom — she’s from a generation where voting in person was a civic ritual. But times change. We don't work 9–5 anymore. We need to meet people where they are. Civilization evolves, and our processes should too.

Keith: Let’s go back to technology. What specific tech is driving quantum cities — 5G? AI? IoT?

Chase: All of the above. Transportation gets the most attention — autonomous vehicles, for example — but there’s more. Government efficiency will be huge, especially with generative AI. Citizens will expect public services to keep up with private experiences.

In buildings, especially, there’s a lot of room for improvement. Buildings are part of the urban fabric. The experience of accessing and using buildings can be digitized and streamlined — everything from key cards to notifications to amenity access.

Keith: Can you give some examples of building tech that benefits the city? Chase: Sure.

There’s research on “the strength of weak ties” — the idea that people with wider networks generate more innovation. So things like access control, visitor management, or mobile apps that improve how people engage with buildings are key. Your phone becomes your remote control for city life.

In Dubai, for instance, there's a central city app for everything — jobs, transportation, amenities.

Keith: What cities are already moving toward the quantum city model?

Chase: Historically, cities like Boston, New York, and San Francisco had 10% growth decades. More recently, it’s been Shenzhen (1990–2000), Singapore (1985–1995), and Dubai (2000–2010). It can be done. They’ve embraced digital infrastructure, fast permitting, and efficient government. Singapore and Dubai are great modern examples.

Keith: It sounds like the startup vs. legacy company dynamic — agility vs. wisdom. That brings us to the innovator’s dilemma, right? Chase: Exactly.

Can we preserve the best of the past while building for the future? London is trying this with Canary Wharf and King’s Cross — using modern tech within historic settings.

Keith: What’s the realistic timeline? Is this a 5-to-10-year thing, or a 30-year vision?

Chase: I think it’s closer than people think. With the pace of AI and digital adoption, we’ll see breakthroughs sooner than expected. Miami is already showing signs of this. Over the next 5–10 years, we’ll see major progress.

Keith: Where can viewers learn more? Chase: They can go to qci.hqo.com, which is the landing page for our paper. We’re also hosting a conference at MIT on October 16 with their Real Estate Lab. Quantum cities will be a key theme alongside energy and infrastructure.

Keith: Chase, thanks again for joining us. Really cool stuff — appreciate your time. Chase: Thanks for having me, Keith. Appreciate it.

Keith: That’s going to do it for this week’s show. Be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel, and drop your thoughts in the comments. Join us every week for new episodes of Today in Tech. I'm Keith Shaw — thanks for watching!