UK Quantum Computing: Leading the Revolution
Quantum technologies are some of the most complex, exciting, and potentially revolutionary technologies currently being developed. The UK is at the forefront of this important work, but we are currently far from seeing widespread commercialisation of these technologies. For this to happen, and for society to reap the benefits, we must bridge the gap between potential and practical applications.
What are Quantum Technologies?
Quantum technologies use controlled quantum systems, such as trapped subatomic particles, to create new ways of measuring the world and solving problems computationally. They achieve this by controlling quantum processes within these systems and measuring their quantum interactions with their environment.
What makes Quantum Technologies so powerful?
Quantum technologies are poised to revolutionise digital sectors. Similar to the GPU revolution, Quantum Processing Units (QPUs) will bring about a paradigm shift in the problems we can solve with computation. Quantum Sensing Units (QSUs) are already opening new possibilities in remote sensing applications. The potential field of impact of quantum technologies is expected to be extremely broad, but how this will be manifested is by no means fully understood.
Our understanding of the full applicability of the technologies is analogous to that of classical computing in the 1950s. We know that the potential is extraordinary, and we know a few examples of how to use it today, but we don’t yet know the full scope of just how great it is, or what the path could be to widespread use.
Based on our current understanding, some of the highly anticipated use cases for quantum technologies include:
Enabling
materials and medicines discoveries
that are unachievable using classical computing technologies
Solving
combinatorial optimisation problems in logistics
for which classical algorithms cannot possibly compute optimal solutions.
, enabling the safe transfer of information
Providing
navigation and timing technology
that is sufficiently accurate to operate in GPS-denied environments
Seeing into the ground with
to enable, for example, the accurate location of utility pipes before groundworks begin.
Developing wearable brain imaging devices using
, replacing the need for costly and cumbersome MRI scanners.
How is the UK currently positioned?
The UK is already a world leader in quantum technologies. We have some of the most advanced fabrication labs and manufacturers, with UK companies making world-leading quantum sensing and quantum computing capabilities. In addition, through establishing UK Quantum Technology Hubs, the National Quantum Computing Centre, the National Quantum Software Lab, and other initiatives, the government has been encouraging and fostering collaboration across the quantum technology supply chain.
At the same time, initiatives like the SPARQ program and the UK NQCC National Quantum Hackathons have encouraged potential end users and customers for the quantum sector to come together and explore and raise awareness about the current capabilities and limitations of quantum computing technology, nurture talent development, and bring a fully commercialised UK quantum industry closer to reality.
What’s been the impact to date?
In addition to being a technology leader, the quantum sector has had a substantial positive impact on the UK economy. In 2014, the National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP) saw the government invest £1bn over the next 10 years in the sector. In 2023, the second UK National Quantum Strategy was launched with £2.5bn to be invested over the following decade, “with the aim of attracting significant additional private investment on top of that”. In 2023, the CBI reported that “the quantum sector has grown 81% since 2013, and now contributes an estimated £1.7bn GVA to the UK economy per year”. Despite the relative nascency of quantum technologies, this already represents half the economic contribution of the construction sector in the North East. The report also highlighted that “the quantum sector supports 20,000 full-time equivalent jobs and has attracted £1.4bn in investment since 2016.”
How can the UK stay at the forefront of the Quantum Technology revolution?
The 2023 UK National Quantum Strategy prioritises transitioning from fostering the quantum technology supply chains towards the early-stage adoption of quantum technology products. The Five Quantum Missions lay out key areas where the government envisions quantum technology products being impactful in the UK economy in the next ten years. Achieving success in these areas will require ‘bridging the chasm’ between proof of concept demonstrations and early-stage adoption, and fantastic new technological advances will need to be backed up by a solid understanding of their route to market with a clear and actionable plan for commercial success.
This is hard to do, and it will require direct involvement from the end consumers like the NHS, MoD, major infrastructure asset owners, and telecommunications companies, and collaboration between them and those developing the technologies and the products. We are already seeing greater involvement from scientific consulting companies and innovation professional services providers coming in to bridge the gap between the raw technology companies and end customers. There is a major risk that insufficient funding will be available, either from private or public sources, for this important work connecting technical solutions with commercial problems.
No one player is going to solve this problem and grab the whole market. Collaboration will be key, and the quantum sector is well-practised at it. The recent InnovateUK-funded AutoQT project demonstrated how combining expertise in quantum, hardware, software, and control systems, with the latest AI and Machine Learning techniques can help overcome some of the fundamental technological obstacles, like achieving automation of the qubit calibration problem, We will now need to replicate this spirit and approach across the sector, including early adopters and multidisciplinary teams to deliver quantum-powered products and services.
Perhaps the most important way we can ensure the UK stays ahead is through education. The greatest barrier to any technology looking for a commercial pathway is understanding the needs of its customer. There is no better way to find this ‘product-market-fit’ than for the development of the product to be led by the customer. We must make sure that freshly graduated doctors in the NHS, engineers working for National Highways, or chemists working for pharmaceuticals have a basic understanding of what quantum technologies are and what they can do to maximise our chances of developing the talented, bright, and dynamic leaders we need.
It is the young professionals of tomorrow who are best positioned to connect and exploit the potential of this industrial strength with world-leading and exportable commercial applications, translating UK technological leadership into the economic growth and competitiveness the UK seeks.
techUK – Unleashing UK Tech and Innovation
The UK is home to emerging technologies that have the power to revolutionise entire industries. From quantum to semiconductors; from gaming to the New Space Economy, they all have the unique opportunity to help prepare for what comes next.
techUK members lead the development of these technologies. Together we are working with Government and other stakeholders to address tech innovation priorities and build an innovation ecosystem that will benefit people, society, economy and the planet - and unleash the UK as a global leader in tech and innovation.
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