October
Bullock warns banks of ‘scary’ quantum computing security threat
Days after a Google quantum computing breakthrough, the RBA governor said the emerging technology posed “a big threat” to data security.
Google unveils quantum computing breakthrough on Willow chip
The “Quantum Echoes” algorithm, detailed in the science journal Nature, is verifiable, meaning it can be repeated on another computer.
September
HSBC claims quantum trading breakthrough
The findings from the bank and IBM suggest new computing could have a significant impact on investing in over-the-counter markets without a centralised broker.
Nvidia buy-in gives government-backed PsiQuantum $10b valuation
PsiQuantum, which is racing to build the world’s first quantum computer, has seen its valuation soar to $US7 billion.
August
AUKUS prompts data centre operator to plan $415m Perth project
The Canberra-based company plans to spend an initial $415 million to build its first facility in WA as defence and security needs increase.
May
Tech champion but with a dark side: Axed Husic speaks
Dumped Science and Industry Minister Ed Husic has said he will continue to advocate for Australia’s technology sector from the back benches, ahead of other cabinet changes.
April
It’s time for Australia to double down in a global quantum arms race
Former chief scientist Cathy Foley reckons — whether by design or luck — Australia could be among a handful at the forefront of the next great tech innovation.
March
Labor bets $15m on using quantum technology to fight cyberattacks
The government’s National Reconstruction Fund is the lead investor in a funding round for Canberra-based QuintessenceLabs, which is also backed by Westpac.
PsiQuantum targets $9.5b valuation, handing Labor a potential windfall
The Silicon Valley-headquartered quantum computing start-up is heavily backed by the federal and Queensland governments, and is raising about $1.2 billion.
Bank innovations a slow and steady process
The big four know they must respond to the rapid changes introduced by start-ups, but modernising respected financial institutions is a tall order.
Banks brace for AI-powered digital revolution
The sector must confront the twin challenges of dealing with their legacy systems and developing a tech-savvy workforce.
February
PsiQuantum confident it has the fastest track in quantum race
Government-backed PsiQuantum powers ahead with plans to build a data centre-sized quantum computer, as Queensland treasurer reviews investment in the company.
Microsoft’s ‘Goldilocks’ particles could win the quantum computer race
Microsoft has taken 17 years to create a new subatomic particle with the right blend of size, speed and stability for quantum computing, in a threat to Aussie rivals.
Labor is throwing money at quantum but drowning AI in regulation
The unanswered question is how can any country effectively regulate a fast-changing emergent technology and expect to be competitive in the global digital economy.
December 2024
Google announces quantum computing breakthrough. Should we be excited?
Google has built a quantum processor called “Willow” that can solve a problem in five minutes that regular supercomputers would take longer than the lifetime of the universe.
November 2024
Albanese tells Queensland to stick with $1b quantum deal
New Premier David Crisafulli is reviewing the deal with US-based start-up PsiQuantum and says speculation about its future is premature.
October 2024
‘High risk, high return’: Chief scientist sceptical on $1b quantum deal
Internal government documents show Cathy Foley took months to be convinced US-based company PsiQuantum could deliver a super computer in Australia this decade.
September 2024
PwC’s moral dissonance clear to all
Readers’ letters on PwC’s behaviour; the value of mining; attacks on Hezbollah; antisemitism at Sydney University; quantum computing; bank cashbacks; and AI costing CBA jobs.
Kamala Harris’ potential defence chief backs Labor supercomputer deal
Michèle Flournoy, a possible Pentagon boss, says quantum computing will be like the nuclear bomb in how it will reshape the China v USA narrative this century.
Aussie cyber firm goes it alone with US expansion
Trent Telford is on a high after his firm Cocoon Data scored a Google deal and made progress cracking the US market, but he says it’s no thanks to the Australian government.