How should organizations best prepare?
Federal and provincial governments continue to make strategic investments in quantum technologies to foster innovation and collaboration across academia and the public and private sectors.
Canadian organizations can also position themselves to be at the forefront of quantum technology adoption by taking the following four steps:
1. Educate and assess the threat and opportunity for your organization
Educate organizational leadership on quantum technology and analyze the return on investment of quantum integration. Take an analytics-driven approach to evaluate the potential advantages of quantum initiatives, such as cost savings, increased efficiency and market differentiation.
2. Evaluate your technological infrastructure
Quantum computing needs a robust infrastructure, including access to cloud-based quantum platforms, high-performance computing systems and data integration tools. Make sure your current technology stack is quantum-ready. This includes aligning your AI strategy to leverage quantum advancements, which could unlock unprecedented computational efficiency and insights.
3. Acquire the right talent
While quantum technologies demand specialized skills in quantum mechanics, programming and data science, organizations can start educating teams to be “quantum aware.” A quantum-aware workforce can help pave the way for your organization’s future state while your people upskill themselves to be more proficient in this area.
The Canadian government’s initiatives, such as Mitacs Internships and NSERC Quantum Research Grants, provide avenues for acquiring talent through collaboration with academic institutions.
4. Embed your organization into the innovation ecosystem
Collaborating with industry leaders and research institutions is essential for quantum adoption. Programs such as Canada’s National Quantum Strategy and regional initiatives like FedDev Ontario’s funding empower businesses to access cutting-edge expertise and resources.
Make a strategic plan for the future
To effectively integrate quantum technologies, organizations must strategically plan for a future that extends ten years ahead—not just the next six months. The journey begins with a comprehensive assessment of your readiness and alignment with quantum advancements.
Start by understanding the potential of this technology, evaluating your infrastructure, building the right talent, leveraging partnerships and crafting a robust business case. By thinking long-term, you’ll position your organization to navigate and lead in a quickly evolving landscape.