The Australian Government was Tech giant Microsoft was not informed of its plans to exit quantum computing research in Australia until the company made generous offers to relocate its entire team to its US headquarters.
The government’s surprise decision to close Microsoft’s quantum research centre at the University of Sydney came at an embarrassing time for the government, which had just invested hundreds of millions of dollars and substantial political capital to promote Australia’s quantum research capabilities.
Microsoft informed its 15-member research team at the University of Sydney of its decision to abandon quantum research there in the first week of June. The company then informed the Australian government the following day through officials at the Department of Industry.
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