Can Australia lead the quantum race?

The quantum industry is poised to deliver a new wave of technological innovations and, by some estimates, up to $US2 trillion in economic value by 2035. Last month, over 700 delegates, including leading figures from the quantum sector, gathered at the annual Quantum Australia conference to discuss how Australia could position itself at the forefront of this rapidly growing field.

The event, previously hosted by Sydney Quantum Academy, was this year organised by Quantum Australia – a national consortium dedicated to strengthening the country’s quantum industry. Held in Brisbane, the conference coincided with the World Science Festival and the UN’s International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, underscoring the momentum and significance of quantum research and development in Australia.

Day one highlights

The conference commenced with a keynote address by Professors Terry Rudolph and Mark Thompson, co-founders of PsiQuantum, who presented their vision for expanding Australia’s quantum ecosystem, including the construction of the world’s largest cryogenic plant dedicated to optical quantum computing systems.

UNSW Professors Michelle Simmons and Andrew Dzurak, representing their UNSW-born companies, Silicon Quantum Computing and Diraq respectively, also shared insights. Prof Simmons spoke about her journey to scale silicon quantum computing within Australia. Prof Dzurak, meanwhile, participated in a panel discussing the challenges and opportunities of online security in the quantum era.

The first day also featured discussions on venture capital strategies and the critical role of government in supporting research and development. The day concluded with a poster session where Dr Alison Goldingay from UNSW earned the runner-up prize for her presentation on her work on superconducting single-photon detectors.

Day two insights

Day two commenced with a fireside chat between Dr Cathy Foley, former Chief Scientist of Australia, and Professor Brian Greene, co-founder of the World Science Festival. The discussion focused on the importance of investing in STEM education and effectively communicating the value of science to the public.

The University of Queensland’s Professors Andrew White and Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop shared their success stories in translating quantum research into commercial ventures. They emphasised strategies such as “failing fast” and “systematising serendipity” to accelerate innovation. Meanwhile, Carl Solder of Cisco and Marcus Doherty from Quantum Brilliance explored quantum computing’s transformative potential in areas like encryption, communication, and diamond-based sensing.

The day concluded with a thought-provoking session titled "Was Einstein Right?", which revisited historical scientific debates and reflected on the ongoing mysteries of quantum physics, alongside a panel discussion on realising the promise of quantum technologies. During the panel, Prof Simmons emphasised the importance of delivering on these promises: 

"Quantum physics is actually simpler than other areas. But you need to keep it real."

Quantum challenges

Prof Mark Thompson noted that, while quantum computing has made great strides in building qubits, the real challenge lies in scaling these qubits for practical applications. Moreover, identifying the right problems for quantum computers to solve remains a key hurdle.

One example is the search for a more energy-efficient alternative to the Haber-Bosch process, used to manufacture ammonia, which accounts for over 1% of the world’s energy consumption. "We know bacteria can do it more efficiently, but we don’t know how," remarked Dr Pekka Pursula of VTT Finland.

According to Associate Professor Jacqui Romero from the University of Queensland, quantum technologies have the potential to revolutionise not only computing but also industries such as communications, sensing, and more.

Carl Solder from Cisco highlighted how some corporate pioneers are already exploring the use of quantum technologies in areas like logistics, aircraft design, oil refining, financial asset pricing, and pharmaceutical discovery.

Training the next generation

Another significant challenge for the quantum industry is access to a highly skilled workforce. Michelle Hadwinger, from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, spotlighted the growing need for talent in the quantum field. She forecasts a 67,000-person shortage in the semiconductor industry by 2030.

A panel on "Unconventional Quantum Careers" highlighted the need to attract individuals who not only have deep expertise in quantum technologies but also the ability to apply these technologies to address real-world problems.

The state of quantum in Australia

The conference demonstrated the impressive breadth of quantum activity in Australia, with attendees ranging from academic researchers to government and industry representatives. The event highlighted not only the existing strength of the Australian Quantum Ecosystem but also the impressive potential of what can be achieved here in collaboration with key international players.

As Professor Glenn Solomon put it, "Australia punches well above its weight in quantum. Where do we go from here?” According to Petra Andrén, incoming CEO of Quantum Australia, “The future of quantum is in our hands.”