QSI Spearheads New Venture in Quantum

AQSN unites core Australian quantum software researchers

UTS’ Centre for Quantum Software and Information (QSI) has spearheaded the formation of the Australian Quantum Software Network (AQSN), a collaboration of over 110 researchers across 10 Australian Universities, the CSIRO and two Australian quantum software start-ups.  The network was launched by Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic at the UTS Vice Chancellor's Innovation Showcase in November. 

“In quantum technology, Australia has been at the forefront of research and development, contributing to breakthroughs for over two decades," Mr Husic said.

The new network of scientists, entrepreneurs and industry partners aims to sharpen Australia’s edge as global leader of quantum software research and development.

Australian researchers have been at the forefront of building the theoretical and software foundations for quantum computing, and the AQSN is designed to accelerate this further by building the partnerships, both domestically and internationally, to keep Australia a major component of the global quantum industry far into the future.

- AQSN co-founder and director of UTS-QSI, Professor Michael Bremner.

The AQSN represents the world’s most extensive collection of quantum software and information theory expertise. It launches with more than 110 members across 30 academic groups at ten universities, the CSIRO and two Australian-based quantum software start-ups:

• University of Technology Sydney
• RMIT University
• University of Sydney
• University of Western Australia
• Macquarie University
• University of Melbourne
• Griffith University
• University of Queensland
• University of New South Wales
• Monash University Melbourne
• Australia's first Venture Capital-backed Quantum Start-up, Q-CTRL Pty Ltd
• Sydney-based quantum education startup, Eigensystems Pty Ltd.

Six external partner organisations also form the initial AQSN, fostering international partnership and collaboration between quantum hardware and software:

• Google Quantum AI
• Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) in Japan
• Aalto University, Finland
• Australian hardware start-ups Silicon Quantum Computing, Quantum Brilliance and Diraq Pty Ltd

The AQSN members span the full spectrum of the field, covering diverse topics from the algorithmic design of quantum programs, to software design to control the physical qubits within quantum technology systems.

National strategy signals Australia's quantum future

The AQSN forms in anticipation of Australia’s first national quantum strategy.

A/Prof Simon Devitt and Prof Ed Santow of UTS-QSI were named to the Australian National Quantum Advisory Committee, also announced by Minister Ed Husic this month. Chaired by Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley, the 15-person committee will help develop the national quantum strategy to be unveiled by the year's end. The committee is modelled off the success of the Sydney Quantum Academy (SQA), of which UTS-QSI is a core member.

The AQSN’s mission for the future is to further software research and development within Australia, pushing forward the fundamental theory and software tools that will underpin the quantum economy of the 21st century.

SEE MORE: AUSTRALIAN QUANTUM SOFTWARE NETWORK