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Australia’s quantum industry is set to get international attention at an upcoming showcase event.
An international industry event in February is set to show off Australia’s quantum know-how next month.
Quantum Australia will take place in Sydney from 20 to 22 February, with more than 300 organisations in attendance, including the Australian Department of Defence, the CSIRO, NEC, IBM Quantum, and more.
This year, the organisers expect the defence sector to be particularly observant of what is going on in the field, driven in part by the AUKUS nuclear submarine alliance.
“Quantum represents a fundamental change at the heart of all information technology,” said Professor Peter Turner, chief executive of the Sydney Quantum Academy, which created the event. “It will permeate scores of industries, so it is a fantastic opportunity for a country like Australia to be a key player in a fast-emerging global industry.”
“It’s important we use every opportunity to help build this high-skill, high-technology sector and convert Australia’s deep expertise in the field into great outcomes with global potential. Conferences like Quantum Australia are an essential part of this. This year, thanks to the AUKUS pact, there’s a lot of interest from the defence and security sector.”
Speakers will include Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic; Australia’s chief scientist, Dr Cathy Foley; US Department of Homeland Security under-secretary Dr Dimitri Kusnezov; chair of the strategic advisory board of the UK National Quantum Technology Program, Professor Sir Peter Knight; NSW chief scientist and engineer Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte; and head of quantum technologies at funding body UK Research and Innovation, Roger McKinlay.
A raft of entrepreneurs will also be attending, including Dr Stephanie Simmons, founder of quantum computing start-up Photonic; Dr David Gunnarsson, chief technology officer of Finland’s Bluefors; Dr Si-Hui Tan, head of research at Singapore’s Horizon Quantum Computing; Dr Chris Wood, chief technology officer of US start-up Infleqtion; and Dr Steve Brierley, CEO and founder of Riverlane in the UK.
The event will host an array of panel discussions on everything, from finding a career in quantum computing to investment opportunities and the role of standards in quantum innovation.
Professor Sir Peter Knight sees the event as a vital part of Australia’s growing quantum industry.
“You’ve got some of the very best research groups in the world in Australia, producing research students and post-doctorates, and you have done for decades – you’ve been pioneers in quantum science,” said Professor Knight. “Start-ups are hunting for talent in Australia because you’ve been the major engine of providing some of the brightest young people [and world leaders] in the field.”
Quantum Australia will be held at the Winx Stand at Royal Randwick Racecourse. You can learn more about the event at https://quantum-australia.com/.
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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