Australia has world-class research in quantum technology, and has been a significant presence since the earliest days of the field. There has been sustained and substantial support from all levels of government, and an industrial base that has grown from a single quantum-technology company to a spectrum of businesses covering both software and hardware. Here, we discuss the Australian approach to quantum technology, briefly outlining the research and funding, discussing the current environment, and looking forward to the future.
Australia has world-class research in quantum technology, and has been a significant presence since the earliest days of the field. There has been sustained and substantial support from all levels of government, and an industrial base that has grown from a single quantum-technology company to a spectrum of businesses covering both software and hardware. Here, we discuss the Australian approach to quantum technology, briefly outlining the research and funding, discussing the current environment, and looking forward to the future.
Quantum technology has garnered considerable attention for its transformative potential across various industries since the early 2000s, precipitating a surge in quantum start-ups and substantial investments worldwide. However, comprehensive research on quantum technology in industries, particularly start-ups in the quantum field, remains limited. This study analyzes a dataset of 1,200 quantum start-ups from 40 countries, specifically focusing on 430 notable active start-ups. The analysis provides a thorough perspective on the industry’s progress, including trends in growth, geographical distribution, industry categorization, and investment patterns. The study categorizes start-ups into five domains: quantum computing, communication, sensing, hardware, and software. The analysis further captures the progress made by ten prominent quantum start-ups, six major technology companies, and quantum consortia regarding their technological innovations and strategic partnerships. We provide a comparative analysis of prior research to identify current conditions and future implications validated by notable studies, focusing on key parameters such as dataset scope, geographical distribution, growth trends, industry categorization, taxonomy, main interests in quantum fields, key players, and ecosystem identification. This approach underscores the dynamic growth of the quantum industry, which will drive future advancements.
Quantum computing is the first digital support technology we explore in this book in more detail. It is sometimes portrayed as brilliant scientists exploring the most obscure natural phenomena in exotic laboratories and aiming to build very powerful science fiction supercomputers that are practically capable of doing anything. But this public perception has been changing lately since various tech companies around the world have invested in this technology to apply it to real-life business problems and explore potential use cases. Among them are Google, Microsoft, IBM, and Honeywell, for instance, just to mention a few pioneers in this ongoing field of industrial research. They frequently report on their latest achievements, highlight current business applications, and emphasize the great prospects of this digital technology. Even The New York Times picked up this trend lately and described quantum computing as one of the most “jazziest and most mysterious concepts of modern science” [1].
Quantum technologies hold immense potential to revolutionise industries, society and our way of life. However, unlocking its benefits requires a balanced approach; one that acknowledges its vast potential while proactively addressing the potential risks and unforeseen challenges. This position paper introduces the concept of quantum readiness - a proactive and multifaceted strategy that equips government, industry, academia, and civil society to responsibly navigate the quantum landscape. Quantum readiness encompasses two key aspects: general quantum readiness for leveraging the potential benefits of quantum technologies, and quantum cyber readiness to address the unique cybersecurity risks and challenges posed by these advancements. A proactive approach to quantum readiness can unlock unprecedented opportunities for businesses, government, academia, and civil society, while mitigating emerging (cyber) risks and ensuring a secure, competitive, and sustainable future. We also propose a systematic approach, guided by responsible innovation theory, for assessing the quantum readiness of industry sectors. We are currently applying it to assess the quantum readiness of Australian industry to identify critical gaps, vulnerabilities, and potential opportunities. This assessment will provide actionable insights to policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers, enabling them to enhance Australia's overall quantum readiness and position itself as a global leader in responsible quantum technology development and adoption.
Quantum computing has evolved from a largely theoretical discipline into a field of growing interest for commercial and industrial applications. Recent advances in quantum hardware, algorithms, and cloud-based access have enabled early experimentation outside academic environments, raising questions about its potential impact on real-world decision-making and operational problems. This paper provides an overview of the current state of quantum computing with a focus on its emerging relevance in commercial contexts. It examines the categories of problems that have attracted attention from industry, particularly those involving high combinatorial complexity such as optimization, scheduling, logistics, and resource allocation. The analysis also reviews the global landscape of companies and initiatives engaged in quantum computing, highlighting different technological approaches, maturity levels, and regional characteristics. In parallel, the paper discusses the principal challenges and limitations that constrain widespread adoption, including hardware immaturity, algorithmic readiness, cost factors, and organizational requirements. By considering both opportunities and risks, this study aims to present a balanced and realistic perspective on the role quantum computing may play in business environments. The objective is to clarify the current position of quantum computing within the broader technological landscape and to support informed interpretation of its potential, limitations, and future trajectory in commercial applications.