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.
- Quantum-secure communications, 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 quantum gravimetry to enable, for example, the accurate location of utility pipes before groundworks begin.
- Developing wearable brain imaging devices using quantum magnetometry, 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.
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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.
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techUK's latest sprint campaign is on Robotics & Automation technologies. Find out how to get involved by clicking here.
Running from September to December 2023, this sprint campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of space technologies, bring more non-space companies into the sector, and ultimately realise the benefits of the New Space Economy.
These technologies include AI, quantum, lasers, robotics & automation, advanced propulsion and materials, and semiconductors.
Activity has taken the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and a report. The report, containing member case studies and policy recommendations, was launched in March 2024 at Satellite Applications Catapult's Harwell campus.
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Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
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- [email protected]
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- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
Running from January to May 2024, this sprint campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of the technologies set to underpin the Gaming & Esports sector of the future.
These include AI, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, haptics, cloud & edge computing, semiconductors, and advanced connectivity (5/6G).
Activity took the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, and thought leadership pieces. A report featuring member case studies and policy recommendations was launched at The National Videogame Museum in November 2024.
Get in touch below to find out more about techUK's future plans in this space.
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Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
Running from July to December 2024, this sprint campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of web3 and immersive technologies.
These include blockchain, smart contracts, digital assets, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, spatial computing, haptics and holograms.
Activity took the form of roundtables, workshops, panel discussions, networking sessions, tech demos, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and a report (to be launched in 2025).
Get in touch below to find out more about techUK's future plans in this space.
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Get in touch
Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
Running from February to June 2025, this sprint campaign is exploring how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of robotic & automation technologies.
These include autonomous vehicles, drones, humanoids, and applications across industry & manufacturing, defence, transport & mobility, logistics, and more.
Activity is taking the form of roundtables, workshops, panel discussions, networking sessions, tech demos, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and a report (to be launched in Q4 2025).
Get in touch below to get involved or find out more about techUK's future plans in this space.
Upcoming events
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Get in touch
Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
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