Australia set to lead the quantum computing revolution
AUSTRALIA is in prime position to lead the quantum computing revolution — a vast upheaval that will change our entire lives.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
AUSTRALIA is in prime position to lead the quantum computing revolution — a vast upheaval that will change our entire lives.
Quantum computers have the processing power for problems it would take today’s computers centuries to achieve.
And we are “right up there” with a “massive role to play”, one of the country’s brightest young minds told The Daily Telegraph.
UNSW quantum computing PhD student Joseph Rowlands, 24, said it would lead to the development of advanced artificial intelligence.
And, while tech titans Google and IBM are throwing vast resources at the effort, Rowlands believes Aussie ingenuity is the extra spring required to help humanity make the jump.
“From Australia’s point of view, we’re actually leading this race,” Mr Rowlands said. “Australia has a massive role to play because we have the infrastructure in place.
“Right now we have the potential to be a world leader and build a knowledge economy so that we can become a Silicon Valley, ” Mr Rowlands said.
He was among a group of future Aussie innovators who gave The Daily Telegraph a preview of the better tomorrow they will help build.
The youngsters have been awarded Westpac Bicentennial Foundation scholarships to support them as they tackle our biggest issues.
Award-winning app developer Imogen Low, 20, is making waves and wants more women to ride them with her.
“Women will provide different and diverse experiences and approaches to different problems,” she said.
Harnessing the full potential of Australian society is also at the front of 23-year-old UNSW student Meira Chen’s mind.
She wants to increase students’ knowledge of Asian history and languages in the NSW high school curriculum — especially for the youngsters whose families may have come from the region.
“We have so many students of Asian background but most of them don’t know much about the history of their mother country.”
UNSW masters in public health student, Shakif Shakur, 26, is keen to tackle immunisation issues, Madeleine Buchner, 25, is working for recognition of Australia’s young carers through her organisation Little Dreamers and Karl Williamson, 25, wants to increase knowledge of Aboriginal culture.
“We have the oldest remaining man-made structure in the world — it’s not heritage listed, it’s just sitting out the back of western NSW,” he said, referring to the 40,00 year old Ngunnhu fish traps at Brewarrina.
BRIGHT YOUNG MINDS
Joseph Rowlands, 24,
Wants to build the world’s first quantum super computer
“Right now we have the potential to be a world leader and build a knowledge economy so that we can become a Silicon Valley — I think that 100 per cent.”
“I see regardless of who is the first on paper to get there, Australia has a massive role to play because we have the infrastructure in place.”
Imogen Low, 20,
Advocate for women in technology
“If you can have females in the industry they will ultimately change the way in which a solution is created.”
“I believe that if we can change the bias towards the potential of women in IT we can really improve the way in which females are treated.”
Madeleine Buchner, 25,
Wants better recognition of Australia’s young carers
“My vision is to create a community where all young carers are engaged, empowered and supported.”
“I think there is huge room for improvement and that’s what we need to be focusing on in terms of how do we make these young people’s lives easier.”
Meira Chen, 23,
Wants to develop Asian engagement strategy in NSW high school curriculum
“I really want to open up a stronger Asian focus in education for high school students — there’s not as much as what’s happening at university level.”
“We have so many students of Asian background but most of them don’t actually know much about the history of their mother country.”
Karl Williamson, 25,
Wants to incorporate Aboriginal culture and knowledge into mainstream society
“Instead of coming at it from an Aboriginal perspective we’re coming at it with a colonial lens and trying to fix it with a solution that’s not designed for the problem.”
“I think the way to go about it is to not to try and address the issues and try to work alongside people using Aboriginal knowledge as a way to start.”
Shakif Shakur, 26,
Wants to help solve public health issues facing migrant communities
“I think personally because of my migrant background I’d like to help with immunisation rates wherever I can around the world ... I’m hopeful for the future.”
“The importance of immunisation in reducing the burden of disease — I think Australia is doing well but we could do better in certain communities.”