Australia is already one of the world leaders in quantum computing research, according to Dr Cathy Foley (pictured). Photo: Charlotte Harper.
Experts have flagged that young Canberrans could be at the forefront of the next digital revolution in quantum computing.
The Your Quantum Future conference, organised by Canberra’s Academy of Future Skills, brought together experts from across Australia to demonstrate to local students the potential of quantum computing.
Australia’s former Chief Scientist Cathy Foley said quantum computing allowed us to control the laws of physics in new ways.
“Classical computing is something where we can have calculations done by using either switches that are on or off,” she said.
“For example, looking for a room full of white t-shirts and we’re trying to find a yellow t-shirt … you have to go through a door [one at a time] in order to say what colour is your t-shirt? White, white, white, yellow.
“With a quantum computer, it’s able to use the ability of superposition … it’s like you’re getting a ladder and looking at everything all at once.”
During the conference, Australia’s leading researchers in the field took Canberra students through the basics of quantum and how it could revolutionise research. They also let them experiment with a quantum computer simulator called QUOKKA.
Students also learned about cybersecurity in a post-quantum world. Some experts warn it will make much of our current encryption system worthless.
Conference participant Year 12 Erindale College student James Barraclough said the encryption issue interested him.
“There’s already the idea of harvest now, decrypt later,” he said.
“A lot of our data isn’t encrypted to post-quantum cryptography standards and a lot of that means if it is harvested now and all collected, it can be then decrypted later through quantum computing.
“That is a long-term thing, but it’s something that definitely needs to be looked at.”
It was also something that caught the attention of fellow Year 12 Erindale College student Lily O’Toole.
“It’s going to be definitely one of the big factors of the future,” she said. “And it’s nice to see Australia has something like that.”
James Barraclough and Lily O’Toole from Erindale College were excited to learn about emerging technology. Photo: Nicholas Ward.
Both students praised the opportunity to learn about the new technology and were now considering studying the topic at university.
Director of the Academy of Future Skills Kym Turnbull said it was incredible to see such high levels of engagement with the complex topic and praised the students for their insight.
“They had so many questions and were so excited to talk to her [Chief Scientist Cathy Foley],” she said.
“And it’s not just about the science. That’s what they’re here for. But what they want to hear is the stories. How did they get to where they are now? What did they have to do? What should they study? What industries are available? Can they do internships, those types of things.
“So we’ve had some really high engagement. And one of the academics said to me on Monday afternoon that a question he got he would have expected from a graduate student at university.”
Quantum computing is also receiving a high level of government interest.
Member for Brindabella Taimus Werner-Gibbings spoke to the conference on its last day at the Chisholm branch of the academy.
Mr Werner-Gibbings said he’d seen first hand the explosion of interest and resources put towards the technology.
“The quantum branch in the federal public service the past two or three years is just getting bigger because there’s no other option for the federal government than to invest in world-leading capabilities,” he said.
“The careers are in the public service, they are in science, they are in medicine, but quantum is going to be so important.”
He also praised the conference and said Canberra was an amazing place to get into the emerging field.
“I am very, very jealous of these young people having this opportunity.
“The more people are interested, the more people make themselves aware of what the possibilities are, of what the industry is trying to do.”
