03 | Dead and Alive: Plucky country

You might not know it, but Australia is an unexpected frontrunner in the race to build a quantum computer. Despite our isolation, leading quantum experts have called Australia home for decades, chipping away at this massive challenge. What have we learnt, from our first digital computer CSIRAC, to now? And will it all culminate in the world's first million-qubit computer?Got feedback? Email us sciencefriction@abc.net.auGuests:Dr Peter ThorneFormer weekend service operator for CSIRACProfessor Michelle SimmonsCEO of Silicon Quantum Computing and director of the Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, UNSWProfessor Robert ClarkFounding director of the Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computer Technology, UNSWProfessor Geoff PrydeChief Technical Director, PsiQuantum AustraliaPresenter: Jacinta BowlerScript producers: Fiona Pepper, James BullenSenior Producer: Shelby TraynorExecutive Producer: Petria LadgroveSound Engineer: Tim JenkinsArchives Research: Lisa Chidlow, Michael Osmond