From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
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Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris has today launched Quantum 2030, Ireland’s first national strategy for quantum technologies.
Quantum computing is an area of computer science that uses the principles of quantum theory, which explains the behaviour of energy and material on the atomic and subatomic levels.
Quantum 2030 focuses the efforts of Ireland’s quantum technologies community on areas of emerging growth in quantum technologies where Ireland can achieve a competitive advantage.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said:
“The publication of Quantum 2023 marks the adoption of its vision as a whole-of-government policy goal.
“The strategy sets out a path for Ireland to be an internationally competitive hub for quantum technologies by 2030.”
Quantum computing application development activities in Ireland, both in academia and enterprise organisations, have been growing exponentially over the past three years.
There has been a significant increase in the development of quantum computing applications that are important to enterprise end-users, public sector organisations and researchers.
Consequently, organisations in Ireland across different sectors are investing in or seeking collaborative development of quantum computing solutions for their research or business services and solutions.
Irish researchers have also recognised the potential of Quantum technologies, for innovation and competitiveness.
Quantum computing has a long research tradition in Ireland documented by an impressive research output and international reputation.
This activity ranges from the development of key enabling technologies for quantum computer engineering to the actual realisation of quantum computing hardware and software, and transfer to applications.
Minister Harris added:
“Ireland has a strategically important position in the technology sector as a competitive global hub.
“We appreciate the synergy between the quantum training programmes offered by industry partners and those run through our universities.
“Together these programmes will prepare Ireland for the quantum revolution, providing us with a skilled workforce ready to apply breakthroughs in quantum computing to smart medical technology, telecommunications, climate change, and more.
“We believe Ireland can build on our existing successes in information and communication technologies to become a global leader in research, development and innovation that underpins the quantum revolution and to become the hub for realising and exploiting the new opportunities in quantum technologies, in particular in quantum computing and communications.”
Quantum technology is the umbrella term for technologies that exploit a deeper understanding of quantum mechanics and the properties of sub atomic particles.
These quantum technologies can be categorised into four main areas: computing, communication, simulation and sensing – all of which are underpinned by advances in fundamental quantum science.
Progress in these four main areas hinges on the development of key enabling technologies including photonics, electronics, cryogenics and nano-fabrication capabilities, alongside advanced quantum software and dedicated algorithms.
Quantum 2030 focuses the efforts of Ireland’s quantum technologies community on areas of emerging growth in quantum technologies where Ireland can achieve a competitive advantage.
Ireland already holds an important position in the technology sector as a competitive global hub. Ireland’s research and innovation community has built a solid foundation of fundamental and applied research into quantum technologies. As a result, Ireland is now strongly positioned to play a pivotal role in the development of quantum technologies and to reap the benefits of increased research, development and innovation in this area in the future.
The opportunities and challenges offered by quantum technologies require a strong national strategy and action plan similar to those that have been developed in other countries and in the European Union. Quantum 2030 leverages and coordinates the community’s existing efforts and resources in order to advance Ireland’s strategic interests in the second quantum revolution.
Quantum 2030 is structured around four distinct pillars and one cross-cutting pillar. These are:
Internationally excellent research underpins advances in quantum technologies. This pillar focuses on strengthening work in Ireland in fundamental and applied quantum research to enable breakthrough discoveries and feed the pipeline of innovations and technologies.
This pillar focuses on developing a pipeline of agile, innovative and highly skilled individuals across the spectrum of quantum science, engineering and technology.
The scale of the challenges and investment required to realise quantum technologies means that some projects are only feasible through large-scale national and international collaborations. Greater national and international collaboration will allow Ireland to contribute to and learn from large-scale projects and best practice in quantum technologies.
This pillar seeks to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship in quantum technologies and related areas, including in indigenous small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It also aims to strengthen collaborative work between academia and enterprise.
As quantum technologies are new and evolving at pace, it is important that we build awareness of quantum technologies and their real-world benefits across a broad range of stakeholders. The purpose of this pillar is to have a quantum-literate society that takes full advantage, for everyone, of the benefits quantum technologies can bring.