Appetite for quantum technologies to grow: David Reilly

Over the next few years, there is going to be an increasing amount of discussion and appetite for awareness of quantum computing according to Professor David Reilly at Microsoft Quantum.

Speaking to Digital Nation Australia, Reilly said due to the infancy of the technology, each industry needs to play its role in understanding how the technology works and how it will impact their customers.

Using the example of a bank he said, “The bank needs to be able to assess the risk of that technology, completely disrupting the way in which their business operates, understand where the opportunities are, help steer those opportunities, and be able to speak to their customers and their competitors in an intelligent way about their technology.”

Reilly said the technology is at an early stage where brands are not able to communicate effectively to their customers about how quantum works.

If an organisation’s competitor starts talking about its quantum usage, at the stage

“The opportunity at the moment is to be part of the journey in shaping it and very much aware of what the technology is, what it isn't, where it's going, where it's not going, what the timescales might be, what's realistic and what the risk is.

“After that, there's the next chapter around, let's start to leverage application,” he explained.

Those organisations who are willing to take the risk and educate themselves on the subject matter will not find the proper resources, but will find someone who is “happy to talk nonsense”, Reilly explained.

“There is plenty of wild speculation, promise and hype, but this is the challenge. Every day, I see outrageous claims but if you don't have a deep understanding, you might think that's probably unlikely to be true. But what if it is true and how do you quantify the risk?

“There is not an easy way to be educated on this stuff, it's technically challenging to get your head around. But more than that, it's somehow one of those areas that is very broad.”

For those wanting to take the leap into quantum, Reilly said the first step is to be sceptical and then link up with experts in the field.

“Connect with real deep expertise, find people that have been in the field for sufficiently long enough that they have the perspective on where the field is at and have the relationships to be able to meaningfully quantify what the risk is and what the opportunities are,” he said.

Professor David Reilly will feature in the Tech stream at Digital Nation Live on October 25 to discuss the business impact of quantum computing. To learn more and secure tickets visit Digital Nation Live.