Recently, quantum experts from the Australian Ministry of Defence proposed that the development of Australia's quantum industry should be coordinated and organized, so as to attract talent and investment, expand business prospects, and have global competitiveness.
Image from the Quantum Conference Australia 2022
Tanya Monro, chief defence scientist at Australia's Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), said at the 2022 Australian Quantum Conference that as a sub-agency of the Ministry of Defence, the DSTG will "take sensors out of the lab and integrate them into the real world." The most important thing is to deliver them to the end user so that they understand the (quantum) advantage. "In 2022, the DSTG will test for the first time the practical application of quantum technology in marine environments.
She believes that the practical application of quantum technology is important to provide focus for the quantum industry and create financing opportunities. The Australian Ministry of Defence will test all technologies such as quantum-based accelerators, magnetometers and gravimeters and enable them to work together in the real world. The DSTG aims to expand the business prospects of Australia's quantum industry by solving real-world problems.
"The defense market itself is not commercial," Monro said, "and we need to make quantum technology more accessible to companies outside of defense to enable the application of both markets[ of quantum technology in defense and commerce]. ”
Guests at the 2022 Australian Quantum Conference, image from the 2022 Australian Quantum Conference
Michelle Simmons, director of the Australian Centre for Excellence in Quantum Computing and Communication Technology, also believes that translating the results of quantum research from universities into viable commercial products can be achieved through a "one-shot" policy.
"Obviously it takes time and effort to do that, but [this initiative] makes it easy for end users, for young people to get access to quantum technology, and then to deliver these taxpayer-funded research [results], and finally to people to use it, and that's what we're going to do." Simmons said.
"The quantum industry should be dominated by industry, and we don't want competition to hinder cooperation." Cathy Foley, Chief Scientist of Australia, said at the meeting, "We want to build an organized, coordinated industry that attracts talent, investment, and is globally competitive. We need to chart the direction of industrial development, including skills, supply chains and regulation, and ultimately take action. ”