Plan for Australia to stay ‘ahead of the pack’ in cutting-edge computing

Australia is a world leader in quantum technology – the cutting edge of advanced computing – and the federal government hopes to extend that lead by funding a new body combining the country’s top experts to help turn innovative research into reality.

Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic said the federal government is investing $18 million to create Quantum Australia, which will link Australia’s major universities with industry groups and strategic partners to boost the country’s quantum edge.

Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic in front of a trapped ion quantum computer at the quantum labs at Sydney University.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

“We’ve got a tech edge with quantum. We’re giving Quantum Australia the job of turning that into a competitive edge for our economy,” he said.

“The jump from today’s technology to quantum technology is like the jump from typewriter to personal computer. This is coming, we can’t ignore it, and we can let our advantage slip away.”

Quantum computers use quantum physics to store data and perform calculations. Experts believe they could solve some problems much faster than standard computers.

The quantum industry is a rapidly advancing technology field, and countries around the world have poured US$42 billion ($64.2 billion) into it by 2023, according to a recent report into the sector by consulting firm McKinsey.

A printed circuit board with a superconducting device at the Sydney Nanoscience Hub at Sydney University.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

Last year, the federal government launched its first-ever national quantum strategy as Australian experts set themselves the goal of building the first complete, error-correcting quantum computer – a goal that would put Australia out in front of the burgeoning field.

Husic said there was more to come from the federal government here.

“There’s only a handful of countries in the world that can do what we do with quantum, the quantum strategy is about keeping us ahead of the pack,” he said.

The Quantum Australia consortium includes government-funded bodies such as the CSIRO and the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems, industry groups including Silicon Quantum Computing and QuintessenceLabs, and the leading universities in the country.

Dr Xanthe Croot with Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

Dr Xanthe Croot, University of Sydney Nano Institute, said the consortium would help accelerate research and development as well as support innovation.

“By bringing together Australia’s quantum leaders across industry, academia and the start-up ecosystem, Quantum Australia will fundamentally shift the dial on the translation of quantum technologies and position Australia as a leader in market,” she said.

“Breakthroughs in quantum technology have the potential to be game-changers in fields like computing and sensing, and could lead to new capabilities in a wide range of areas including security, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and cryptography.”

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