{"id":36800,"date":"2023-09-28T07:30:35","date_gmt":"2023-09-28T06:30:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=36800"},"modified":"2024-09-04T20:16:28","modified_gmt":"2024-09-04T19:16:28","slug":"developing-and-harnessing-quantum-technology-in-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/developing-and-harnessing-quantum-technology-in-australia\/36800\/","title":{"rendered":"Developing and harnessing quantum technology in Australia"},"content":{"rendered":"
The value of quantum technology and research is now widely recognised. Increasing quantum discoveries and their integration into our fundamental understanding of the world has enabled researchers to theorise and realise technologies once thought impossible.<\/p>\n
Across the globe, governments and institutions are investing time and effort into understanding and utilising the quantum space. Australia is one such place dedicated to this cause, with Sydney being a particular hub. The University of New South Wales is part of Sydney\u2019s effort to drive quantum technology in Australia, devoting significant resources and high-calibre researchers towards creating innovative technologies and collaborating with world leaders.<\/p>\n
The Innovation Platform<\/em> spoke with Professor Dane McCamey of the University of New South Wales (UNSW) about the future of quantum technology in Australia, as well as the work of the university in establishing itself as a key player in quantum research and development.<\/p>\n Australia has been seriously involved in quantum technologies for over 25 years. We have a particularly strong quantum research environment for a country of our size, with significant clusters of expertise in most major cities.<\/p>\n Sydney is a global hub for quantum research and translation. It has scale and depth, supported by a well-connected ecosystem. As an example, four universities (UNSW, the University of Sydney, Macquarie University, and the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS)) have partnered with the NSW State Government to form the Sydney Quantum Academy (SQA).<\/p>\n SQA is designed to help grow the quantum economy around the Sydney Basin. It co-ordinates training, builds a connected cohort of students who will form the core of a quantum technology workforce, and brings together industry and academic partners through a variety of activities and events. It also helps identify technology jobs for students, and has had a positive impact on the Australian, New South Wales, and Sydney quantum technology scenes.<\/p>\n Over the past five years, we\u2019ve seen our research moving out into industry, through startups and established companies that are focusing more on quantum technologies. It\u2019s important that industry translation of quantum technologies is well supported by a strong fundamental research capability in that area. CSIRO estimates that Quantum Technologies will support over 20,000 Australian jobs in the next 20 years, and contribute substantially to Australia\u2019s export economy.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a good time for quantum technology in Australia. The government has identified and understood the potential for the quantum technology industry to be an economic driver and has been supportive of efforts to grow the sector. They recognise Australia\u2019s pioneering role in the development of the fundamental ideas that enable quantum technologies, and appreciate that now is a great time to build on this resource to translate technology into products.<\/p>\n The National Reconstruction Fund<\/a> is a significant federal programme which includes a billion-dollar initiative to help fund critical technologies, including quantum. The National Quantum Strategy is designed to guide this investment. As Ed Husic (Australia\u2019s Minister for Industry and Science) noted at its launch, the strategy will help guide this investment in research and development (R&D) as well as commercialisation, infrastructure, growing a workforce, and understanding the benefits that quantum technology in Australia will bring.<\/p>\n It also aims to make sure this quantum technology is trusted, ethical, and inclusive \u2013 things that people are also worried about in related areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). Cathy Foley, Australia\u2019s Chief Scientist, is leading consultation around the implementation of the programme; it\u2019s exciting and we\u2019re looking forward to seeing how it rolls out.<\/p>\n One element of the plan is the A$20m Australian Centre for Quantum Growth. It is intended to support R&D in the Australian quantum technology industry and help understand where the demand for quantum technologies may come from, and how Australian companies could engage with those emerging markets.<\/p>\n There\u2019s been a lot of promise around quantum technologies, but this serious investigation into where that will have a real economic impact or be commercially viable in industry is important, and a really fundamental contribution from the Australian Government.<\/p>\nWhat is the current role and future potential of Australia in terms of quantum technologies?<\/h2>\n
In May of this year, Australia released its National Quantum Strategy. What is the significance of this and what could it mean for Australia\u2019s quantum future?<\/h3>\n