Bridging the Quantum Divide: Aligning Academic and Industry Goals in Software Engineering

TL;DR

This paper highlights the gap between academic research and industry needs in quantum software engineering, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to develop practical tools and methodologies for real-world applications.

Contribution

It identifies key disconnects between academia and industry in quantum software engineering and proposes collaborative strategies to bridge this divide.

Findings

Academic focus on quantum debugging/testing is narrow

Industry faces practical integration and implementation challenges

Collaborative efforts can align research with industry needs

Abstract

This position paper examines the substantial divide between academia and industry within quantum software engineering. For example, while academic research related to debugging and testing predominantly focuses on a limited subset of primarily quantum-specific issues, industry practitioners face a broader range of practical concerns, including software integration, compatibility, and real-world implementation hurdles. This disconnect mainly arises due to academia's limited access to industry practices and the often confidential, competitive nature of quantum development in commercial settings. As a result, academic advancements often fail to translate into actionable tools and methodologies that meet industry needs. By analyzing discussions within quantum developer forums, we identify key gaps in focus and resource availability that hinder progress on both sides. We propose collaborative efforts aimed at developing practical tools, methodologies, and best practices to bridge this divide, enabling academia to address the application-driven needs of industry and fostering a more aligned, sustainable ecosystem for quantum software development.