‘Quantum epicentre’: SEQ could be centre of tech revolution

The technical officer developing a quantum computer in Brisbane funded by taxpayers says his team is on track to crack the world’s biggest tech race.

PsiQuantum's site for its quantum computer in Brisbane.

The technical officer developing a quantum computer in Brisbane funded by taxpayers says his team is on track to crack the world’s biggest tech race — but warns Queensland must skill up fast to seize the future.

Californian start-up PsiQuantum Australia’s chief technical officer Geoff Pryde said Queensland would likely succeed because of its lead in groundbreaking research, which had been backed by $1bn in state and federal equity and loans.

“Australia is at the absolute forefront of quantum computing research, we publish more papers per capita than literally any other country in the world, and so as a city, as a state, as a country, we get quantum,” he said.

Professor Pryde was a keynote speaker at a Committee for Brisbane lunch on Wednesday, during which he said Queenslanders would soon have to prepare for the benefits of quantum technology within ten to 20 years.

Professor Pryde said the technology would need quantum physicists, electrical engineers, photonic engineers and software developers who would need to learn more in preparation for an emerging market.

But it would secure more high-paid Brisbane-based jobs.

“Let’s try and get it to focus here on Brisbane, to build up this commercial ecosystem that can take hold of these new opportunities and make Brisbane a quantum epicentre of the world,” he said.

Professor Pryde said if successful, Queensland would be at the forefront of technology which would revolutionise new industries by solving advanced chemical problems.

South East Queensland would be the centre of a technological revolution.

“And the list of high impact use cases extends to mining to agriculture to lifesaving pharmaceuticals and beyond,” Professor Pryde said.

Professor Pryde questioned if Queensland businesses would understand the potential of tapping into a quantum computer’s data, judging from current uptake of Artificial Intelligence.

“What we want is to help people to be quantum ready,” he said.

PsiQuantum has raised more than $1bn from global investors like Blackbird, Blackrock, GlobalFoundries, Microsoft M12 and Temasek — the Singapore Government’s investment arm.

Originally published as ‘Quantum epicentre’: SEQ could be centre of tech revolution