Tech Council of Australia forms Australian Quantum Alliance

The Tech Council of Australia (TCA) has today announced the formation of the Australian Quantum Alliance (AQA) to promote the voice of Australia’s quantum industry. 

The AQA brings together founding members including Google, Microsoft, Rigetti, Quintessence Labs, Q-CTRL, Quantum Brilliance, Silicon Quantum Computing, Nomad Atomics and Diraq. 

The role of the AQA will be to work with governments on the issues that impact the quantum sector, including regulation of critical technologies, skills and migration, as well as on policy issues including the Australian Government’s Quantum Strategy and the proposed Critical Technologies Fund. 

According to Kate Pounder, CEO of TCA, “Australia is leading the world in quantum research. Now we need to lead in commercialising that research by creating, scaling and attracting world-leading quantum companies in Australia. The AQA will help ensure that Australia maintains its head start in the global quantum race.” 

Last week Anthony Murfett, head of the technology and national security division, Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, told audiences at the Tech Leaders Forum that quantum technologies are expected to deliver Australia $4 billion in economic value and create 16,000 new jobs by 2040. 

“As we get closer to quantum computing it is how do we really realise that benefit and the opportunities there and ensure we've got both of the workforce and that Australia's commercialising some of the great ideas that it has,” he said. 

The TCA today released research revealing that more than 3 percent of quantum start-ups originate in Australia and Australia is attracting 3.6 percent of global VC investment in quantum.  

Vikram Sharma, founder at CEO at QuintessenceLabs said, “With the prowess of the TCA, we hope to collectively drive the development of a vibrant quantum industry, provide guidance to the Government on the development of the industry, help corporate decision-makers understand and adopt quantum technology, and build strong domestic and international partnerships for the greatest national benefit to Australia.” 

David Garvin, head of applications, quantum finance at founding member, full-stack quantum-classical computing company Rigetti stated, “Through our partnership, we look forward to enabling growth in the Australian quantum ecosystem, developing quantum computing capabilities within the Australian workforce, and achieving quantum advantage for use cases of commercial and strategic value to Australia." 

Earlier this year IBM revealed in its quantum roadmap that they are on track to achieve quantum advantage within the next five years.