The Australian Quantum Software Network has joined the global Quantum Software Alliance as a founding member for Australia.
The new Quantum Software Alliance (QSA), will champion and co-ordinate the development of quantum software and algorithms, to support quantum computing’s shift from lab-based theory to real-world applications.
The QSA brings together the knowledge and experience of researchers from four continents to provide practical recommendations to accelerate the discovery of new software and algorithms to enhance the performance of quantum computers.
The partnership will focus on the vital contributions quantum software will make in the drive towards practical quantum computing by transforming outputs from small and noisy machines to creating applications that deliver innovative outcomes for social and economic development.
The Alliance will create an agenda of key research priorities to provide a coherent development framework for the research community. This aims to help enable closer collaboration with other stakeholders and inform policy and funding decisions.
It will also explore outstanding questions confronting researchers developing software algorithms and protocols for many complex quantum processors.
Crucially, the QSA aims to work with policymakers and funding agencies to establish quantum research programmes that place a more strategic focus on the development of quantum algorithms and software.
Quantum computing combines computer science with quantum physics and is used to solve complex problems that are beyond the reach of traditional computers.
It has the potential to transform the digital world as we know it and holds the key to the technological future of many businesses, industries and research worldwide, experts say.
Quantum information processing focuses on finding algorithms and protocols that can solve problems more efficiently by storing and manipulating huge quantities of information within quantum computers.
“Even the most powerful quantum computer will need software and algorithms to create useful applications that deliver genuine benefits for industry and society. We now need a dedicated focus on developing quantum algorithms and protocols that can derive the most value from scalable hardware platforms, otherwise there is a real risk that a fault-tolerant machine will not be able to achieve the computational advantage that has been promised for quantum computing.”
Professor Elham Kashefi – Chief Scientist at the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre and a convener of the QSA.
