Australia could be a leader in quantum technology: Q-Ctrl CEO

The uptake of quantum in Australia amongst enterprise users is not high in Australia and Michael Biercuk, CEO and founder of quantum technology company Q-Ctrl wants to change that.

Biercuk spoke to Digital Nation about the current state of quantum adoption in Australia and how the country could become a leader within the space if they start adoption now.

He said, “If you look in the United States if you look in Europe, there is a higher engagement from the broader industry, very non-quantum businesses in the applications associated with quantum tech.

“We're very much looking forward to starting to shift that narrative within Australia.”

One of the reasons why quantum adoption is low in Australia is due to its low economic complexity ratings, according to Biercuk.

He said, “If we have a lower complexity economy, then the problems that people are trying to solve are less dependent on advanced computational tools or advanced sensing.

“There are also cultural elements about Australian industry tends to be a little bit more conservative than its peers around the world.”

Biercuk said there is a tremendous opportunity to deliver “pride and prosperity” for Australia via quantum.

“We're hoping that the incumbent industry is willing to be part of that journey. The Boston Consulting Group made clear that 90 percent of the US$850 billion opportunity that they have identified in adopting and applying quantum technology is going to go to the early adopters.

“The question is whether competent industry locally wants to be part of that narrative, we certainly hope they do.”

Australia has good technology, and good research but in almost every case it is years behind competitors, Biercuk said.

“Quantum does not look like that; quantum technology is something where we have been an elite. This is why the United States government has funded Australian researchers since the late 1990s,” he said.

“Because what is going on here is the best in the world, you don't normally hear about Australian scientists being picked by US government agencies like the Army Research Office, National Security Agency and IARPA (Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity) to say we need the technology that you are deploying, of course, alongside international peers.

Biercuk said this is the opportunity where Australia can make that contribution.

“I want to emphasise to all of my colleagues and peers, how special, how unique this is to truly capture value and not repeat the patterns of the past. Where great things have started on shore and were left to fade away into the into the background over the decades,” he ended.