Quantum Futures: Co-designing societal readiness and scenario building for quantum

How can Australia ensure quantum technologies are developed not only for technical excellence, but for meaningful societal impact?

As quantum technologies continue to advance, questions around governance, trust, access and real-world adoption are becoming just as important as scientific breakthroughs.

This report presents findings from the Quantum Futures workshop, a collaborative initiative led by the University of Sydney Business School, Sydney Nano and Quantum Australia. The workshop brought together researchers, industry leaders, policymakers and ecosystem stakeholders to explore how quantum technologies may shape society, and how those futures can be designed responsibly, inclusively and with public value at their core.

Using healthcare as a focal use case, the workshop applied participatory futures and co-design methods to move beyond purely technical discussions. Participants examined the broader systems, infrastructures and decision-making frameworks required to support quantum technologies as they transition from research environments into real-world applications.

The report explores three illustrative domains, quantum sensing, quantum simulations in drug discovery, and quantum machine learning in clinical trials, highlighting both near-term opportunities and longer-term scenarios for 2035 and 2050.

Across these scenarios, the report surfaces key insights into ecosystem collaboration, shared infrastructure, policy and regulation, workforce capability, and societal readiness. It also highlights the importance of engaging diverse stakeholders early, ensuring quantum innovation aligns with healthcare needs, ethical considerations and community expectations.

Aligned with Australia’s National Quantum Strategy, this report contributes to ongoing national conversations about how to build a future-ready quantum ecosystem, one that balances technological ambition with responsibility, inclusion and long-term societal benefit