Australia, UK sign agreement to cooperate on quantum tech

The Australian and United Kingdom governments have signed an MoU, agreeing to cooperate on innovation, research and commercialisation of quantum technology, during the AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park this week.

A joint statement (accessible here) “reaffirms the strong technology relationship” between the pair, supporting joint activities under the Australia-UK Cyber and Critical Technology Partnership and the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement, as well as delivering on the international actions identified in Australia’s National Quantum Strategy.

“On the grounds of Bletchley Park – considered the birthplace of modern computing and where Alan Turing envisioned a future for artificial intelligence, Australia and the UK have signalled their joint determination to shape the next frontier in technology development: quantum,” said federal industry minister Ed Husic, who signed the statement with the UK’s minister for science, innovation and technology, Michelle Donelan

According to a statement on Friday from Husic, the agreement will open channels for more investment between UK and Australian companies, facilitate research exchanges, and increase the sharing of expertise.

The statement lauded the agreement’s potential to speed development of technologies such as quantum-based processing and more accurate sensors.

Picture: Credit Q-CTRL

Further reading

Aukus quantum sensing partnership launched

Australia has a National Quantum Strategy. What does that mean?

An Australian-made quantum chip in every home? (podcast)

Australia’s place in the semiconductor world: Silicon is quantum, quantum is silicon, and Australia might finally have an edge