The Irish government has published a national strategy for quantum research in the country. Many of the top technology companies have operations in Ireland and the report – Quantum 2030 – A National Quantum Technologies Strategy for Ireland – describes Ireland as being ideally situated to capitalize on quantum for industry, noting the potential for quantum technologies in computing, communication, simulation and sensing.
“This initiative is a brilliant step in the right direction, says quantum physicist J C Seamus Davis from University College Cork. “We need to increase training through research for scientists, engineers, mathematicians, electrical engineers and for what in future will be called quantum engineers.”
The report says that nine of the top ten global software companies and three of the top four internet companies have significant operations in Ireland.
“What we need is for some of those companies to open quantum technology research labs in Ireland and begin to recruit young Irish scientists,” says Davis.
Yet Ireland currently trails similarly sized countries in Europe in quantum technologies. “We have a long way to go if we want to have an Irish company building or selling quantum computers or their components,” adds Davis. “We’re not at a scale to be competitive with the Netherlands, Denmark or Finland.”