The International Year of Quantum Science and Technology has been declared by the United Nations for 2025. The aim is to acknowledge the significance of quantum science and increase awareness of its past and future impact. Quantum science is known for its complexity and peculiarities, such as entanglement, the dual nature of light, and the concept of a cat being both alive and dead until observed.
The strangeness of quantum mechanics is now being harnessed for the development of quantum computers, communication systems, and sensors. In the future, it could also power advancements in artificial intelligence. A global race for quantum supremacy is underway, with major tech companies, powerful nations, and top research universities competing to build commercially viable quantum systems. Australia is also part of this race, as it will play a significant role in shaping the country’s economic and national security policies for years to come.
The potential economic benefits of the quantum industry are substantial. By 2045, it is estimated that the Australian quantum industry could generate up to A$6 billion in annual revenue and create nearly 20,000 jobs. To support the growth of the quantum industry, Australia has laid out its National Quantum Strategy, which aims to position the country as a leader in the global quantum industry. The government has also made significant investments in quantum startups and research initiatives.
However, the implications of quantum technology go beyond science, technology, and economic gains. Like any powerful technology, there is a concern about its weaponization. Quantum technology has significant national security implications, leading to its fast-tracked development in militaries and defense industries worldwide. Quantum radar, code, internet, sensors, and GPS are all being explored for military applications. The first country to achieve quantum superiority could gain asymmetrical power advantages over others.
Quantum communications systems offer secure and unhackable lines of communication, while quantum computers pose a risk to classically encrypted messages. Quantum AI is being developed for lethal autonomous weapons, raising ethical concerns about the use of AI in warfare. Quantum sensors have the ability to make highly sensitive measurements of magnetic and gravitational fields, which has implications for submarine detection and other military applications.
It is crucial to ask difficult questions about the potential risks and consequences of quantum technologies. History has shown that complex technologies can have unintended consequences and unexpected disasters. The development of nuclear technologies, enabled by breakthroughs in quantum science, led to events like Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, and Fukushima. The atomic bomb, a product of earlier quantum research, forever changed the international order.
The use of nuclear weapons sparked a global discussion on disarmament, but it was overshadowed by the politics of fear and the Cold War. This resulted in a costly arms race and ongoing nuclear brinksmanship. It is important not to repeat the mistakes of the past and start addressing the hard questions about the impact of quantum technologies on global war and peace.
The documentary film “Project Q: War, Peace, and Quantum Mechanics” explores these issues and will be screened at the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival on July 20.
