When all passengers on a flight to San Francisco engage in lively discussions about the latest breakthroughs in physics, optoelectronics, and deep tech, it is that time of the year again: the Photonics West conference and exhibition is back. This is the biggest annual optics and photonics event of the year, which includes BiOS, LASE, OPTO, Quantum West, the Photonics West exhibition, and the co-located AR|VR|MR conference and exhibition. With over 22,000 participants from 85 countries, 1400 exhibitors, and over 4,500 presentations, this is truly a global event showcasing the latest advancements in photonics and optics, and the Moscone Center is transformed into a buzzing hive of activity as experts connect, discuss ideas, and innovate.
Quantum West: The Future of Technology
This year, for the first time, Quantum West made its debut, bringing together leading scientists, engineers, innovators, business leaders, and government representatives. This exciting new addition to Photonics West was dedicated to showcasing the latest technologies and discoveries of a thriving quantum industry. With deep insights into the research advancements, demonstrations of cutting-edge technology, and discussions on market-oriented and governmental initiatives, Quantum West provided a platform to learn about the latest trends in quantum science and technology and, more importantly, how to adopt them. For instance, the International Council of Quantum Industry Associations was formally established to collaborate globally on the development of quantum technologies, as a memorandum of understanding was signed during a break at the conference.
Can Quantum Save the World?
One of the overarching topics at Quantum West was the state-of-the-art and potential of quantum. Quantum technology, by tapping into the power of quantum uncertainty, promises to revolutionise how we work, live, and communicate. However, even if research groups, start-ups and tech giants are racing to build quantum devices, collectively, the field is mired in an era known as ‘noisy intermediate-scale quantum’, or NISQ. Current devices are small-scale and lack accuracy, but Quantum West demonstrated how the latest research and technologies quickly advance and overcome existing obstacles to unlock practical industrial applications in quantum sensing, quantum communications, and quantum computing.
Indeed, quantum has the potential to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges, such as faster and personalised drug discovery, improving our understanding of brain function and cognition, discovering new materials to support the energy transition, and finding better ways to solve logistical problems. The momentum in the quantum industry is thriving, and it’s clear that we’re on the cusp of a revolution. But with great power comes great responsibility, and there are also cybersecurity concerns. The ability of quantum computers to hack current encryption techniques is a real threat. In fact, cyberattacks – be they with classic computers or quantum computers – were identified as one of the ten main challenges for the decade, as presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos and again at Quantum West. Significantly, it was the only technological risk among mainly environmental and geopolitical threads, as shown in the Global Risk Report 2023.
One solution is provided by post-quantum cryptography algorithms which will hopefully secure our data against quantum computers. However, there is a cautious trade-off between security and efficiency. As the encryption keys get longer to offer safety, more computational power is required, which could lead to a significant environmental impact. A solution to these challenges is to use Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNGs), which harness the quantum properties of light and matter to generate the randomness required for encryption keys. In fact, Dr Caty Foley, Australia’s Chief Scientist, presented them as the first ‘mass-market’ quantum device, with a projected market value of $1.2 billion by 2028.
The Future is here: the Quantum Revolution
The message at Quantum West was clear: the quantum revolution is happening right now. Indeed, the Quantum Dice self-certifying QRNG solution is ready. This is an exciting time to be a part of the photonics and quantum industries, and the innovations and advancements being made are nothing short of amazing.
Another message from the Australian chief scientist that resonated with me personally was the importance of getting the gender issue right, as diversity and inclusiveness drive innovation and progress. As the world continues to move towards a more quantum-based future, we can drive innovation, tackle complex problems, and positively shape the future by embracing and encouraging diversity in the field. When engineers, scientists, and innovators come together with different ideas, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, there is no limit to what can be achieved. The future is quantum, and the future is diverse.
