After artificial intelligence, the technology in which major countries and organizations in the world are investing heavily is quantum technology. The United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. The aim is to raise “awareness of the importance of quantum science and its potential impact on the future”.
What is quantum technology?
Quantum technology is both very complex and strange. For physicists, “quantum” is not limited to ideas like entanglement, light existing both as a wave and a particle, or a cat in a box that is both alive and dead at the same time. A computer enabled by quantum technology is called a “quantum computer”, which is an advanced form of computing. It is many times more powerful than conventional classical computers and can solve extremely complex problems in mere moments. Quantum computing is a highly promising technology that could revolutionize the computing world in the future. However, it is still in the phase of research and development, and it will take more time to realize its full potential.
Using quantum mechanics, quantum computers, communication systems, and sensors are being developed. In the near future, it could also power artificial intelligence (AI).
There is so much optimism surrounding quantum technology that fierce competition is underway over who will take the lead. It is believed that whoever leads this competition will be able to lead—or control—the world. That’s why major tech companies, leading world powers, and top research universities are all in the race to create the first commercially viable quantum systems.
Opinions may differ on whether the quantum race is a long-term marathon or a short-term sprint, but it is undeniable that this will become an important technology for us.
According to Australia’s research organization CSIRO (The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation), by 2045 this technology could generate an estimated 6 billion dollars in annual revenue and create about 20,000 jobs. In 2023, the Australian government formulated its National Quantum Strategy to turn the country into “a global leader in the quantum industry”. In parallel, other major countries are also investing massively in quantum technology.
In Australia, the state of Victoria has invested 37 million dollars in quantum startups over the past two years. In April 2024, the Commonwealth and Queensland governments jointly pledged 1 billion dollars to build the world’s first utility-scale quantum computer.
Additionally, the University of Sydney has received a federal grant of 18.4 million dollars to establish a national hub for Australia’s quantum ecosystem.
Potential Roles of Quantum Technology
Based on entangled quantum bits (“qubits”), quantum technology will massively increase the capacity for data exchange, transform the networks that make up the Internet, and potentially redistribute the flow of goods, resources, and money.
Various commercial industries such as telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, banking, and mining—of both data and minerals—will all be transformed.
Quantum Technology and Security
There is no denying that quantum technology will play a role in many fields, but the greatest concern for governments is the impact of quantum technology on national security. Some of these concerns are outlined below:
- Quantum technology will rapidly transform radar, codes, the Internet, sensors, and GPS for all the world’s armed forces and defense sectors. Countries that achieve quantum advantage first may create new imbalances of power and dangers for those that lag behind—much like the imbalance after World War II between countries that possessed nuclear bombs and those that did not.
- Quantum communications could create completely secure, unhackable lines of communication. If such technologies fall into the hands of criminals, it could become a threat to national security. Notably, a quantum technology-based network in China has already connected several major cities over nearly five thousand kilometers.
- Current encryption methods used to protect information could be hacked within seconds by quantum technology. Technologists refer to this as “Q-Day”.
- Artificial intelligence developed through quantum technology could significantly enhance the capabilities of various weapons, posing a security risk. Swarms of drones could be controlled on network-linked battlefields by AI without any human intervention or oversight.
- Quantum sensors are a special kind of sensor that can measure magnetic and gravitational fields with extreme precision. As a result, it would become much easier to detect metals and large objects underground or underwater. This technology could make it easier to monitor submarines beneath the seas or aircraft in the skies, which could threaten a country’s security.
It is hard to predict right now all the additional ways quantum technology could pose threats. However, it is undeniable that while quantum technology can bring many benefits, it can also create serious risks. That is why it is essential to conduct thorough research and raise awareness about its dangers.
References:
1. https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2024/07/19/quantum-technologies-time-to-discuss-risks-is-now-international-security-geopolitics-expert.html
2. https://au.news.yahoo.com/huge-race-develop-quantum-technologies-035522376.html
3. https://www.innovationaus.com/authors/james-der-derian-and-stuart-rollo/
4. https://cce.sydney.edu.au/course/TTQR
5. https://projectqsydney.com/aicctp/grant-round-1/quantum-meta-ethics/
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