Australia and Britain are embarking on a transformative journey into the quantum frontier. Australian Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic and the British Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Michelle Donelan, have formalised their commitment to quantum collaboration. This partnership solidified during the AI Safety Summit in England, holds immense promise for global quantum advancements.
At the heart of the collaboration between Australia and Britain lies a transformative Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), a document that not only signifies a strategic alliance but also draws upon the insights provided by a paper titled “The Landscape of the Quantum Start-up Ecosystem.” This work, by Zeki Can Seskir, Ramis Korkmaz, and Arsev Umur Aydinoglu, published in October 2022, stands as a guiding beacon for the collaborative efforts envisioned by Australian Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic and British Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Michelle Donelan.
The paper offers a comprehensive landscaping study that delves into the intricate dynamics of the global quantum start-up landscape. With a robust dataset encompassing 441 companies hailing from 42 countries, the authors illuminate the temporal and geographical distributions, categorisations, and evolving trends within the quantum start-up ecosystem. As the ink dries on the MOU, the integration of insights from their research becomes a cornerstone of the collaborative framework.
Essentially, the MOU transcends a mere agreement; it becomes a fusion of strategic intent and wisdom. The collaborative efforts between Australia and Britain gain depth and direction. The MOU, informed by the paper’s findings, propels both nations into a future where quantum technologies are not just explored theoretically but are translated into practical applications, fostering meaningful global advancements.
The MOU not only underscores the commitment to joint efforts but also seeks to leverage existing bilateral and multilateral science and technology cooperation frameworks. According to the paper’s findings, more than 92% of quantum start-ups have been founded within the last decade. The temporal and geographical distributions resonate with the collaborative vision of Australia and Britain, two nations at the forefront of the quantum revolution.
Australia’s quantum prowess is an example from the paper due to its global leadership in quantum technologies. The nation is home to several leading quantum startups, including Q-CTRL, Diraq, and Quantum Brilliance. Accordingly, these companies exemplify Australia’s dedication to commercialising quantum advancements. The recent backing of Queensland’s first quantum hardware startup further solidifies Australia’s commitment to quantum innovation.
As Australia and Britain join forces in the quantum revolution, the collaboration gains additional depth with insights from the study. The MOU’s principles now not only reflect a commitment to exploring the theoretical aspects of quantum technologies but also align with the categorised fields presented in the paper.
By leveraging existing frameworks and aligning with strategic initiatives, this collaboration seeks to propel quantum research and development on a global scale. Australia’s quantum prowess, coupled with Britain’s technological leadership, promises a future where the quantum frontier becomes a shared landscape of innovation, discovery, and progress.