2025 is the International Year of Quantum and it could just change all our lives
The science we now call Quantum mechanics was kick started in 1925 on the wind-swept island of Heligoland by the youthful German physicist Werner Heisenburg.
This year UNESCO is marking the anniversary of Heisenburg’s breakthrough by holding the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology and the Institute of Physics is delighted to be coordinating contributions on behalf of the UK and Ireland quantum community.
Heisenberg's seminal paper, "Quantum theoretical re-interpretation of kinematic and mechanical relations" also called the Umdeutung (reinterpretation) paper, described the “strangely beautiful interior” of an atom’s mathematical structure.
At a stroke it overturned many of the certainties of classical physics, informed his famous ‘uncertainty principle’ and began the development of matrix mechanics – something new to physics at the time.
Its publication redefined how we understand the most elemental forces in the universe, gave birth to a whole new field of research and investigation and won Heisenberg a Nobel Prize.
The momentum begun by the 23-year-old Heisenburg, who was only on Heligoland initially to help treat a bout of hayfever, was picked up by scientists across Europe in general and the UK in particular, where a series of quantum breakthroughs and insights followed.
Vital contributions from the UK came from scientists like David Thouless, the theoretical physicist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2016 for his work on topological phases of matter and Peter Higgs, who predicted the existence of the eponymous Higgs Boson, detected finally in 2012 at CERN.
And from Sir Michael Berry, one of the pioneers in the field of quantum mechanics, particularly known for his work on quantum chaos and the Berry phase, an essential concept in quantum mechanics.
A field of science with profoundly important practical implications in technologies as diverse as medical scanning, encryption and computing had been launched. And it is poised to transform our lives and economies in a myriad of different ways.
Quantum diagnostics, for instance, mean we can, for the first time, scan the brains of young children who cannot undergo MRIs - to save lives and learn more about early development.
Advances in Quantum encryption mean current online privacy protections are about to become obsolete and international finance giants are already finding ways to make billions using quantum computing to gamble on global currencies.
But for all its transformational opportunities, the majority of which are still to be even imagined, Quantum has a problem. Its tough to explain, hard to understand and sometimes seems to defy anything approaching what most of us would consider a rational explanation.
Its world of entanglements, bosons, field theories and thought experiments is one which most of us would admit to having only the haziest sense of. After all, it was no less a figure than the American physicist Richard Feynman who conceded that “nobody understands quantum mechanics”.
The problem with this of course is that no science cannot survive for long simply on the work of fine minds cloistered away in academia. Sooner or later funding needs to be secured for research, investors found for commercial applications, public and politicians engaged and educated about why this field is worthy of their attention and money.
That’s part of the reason, along with the 100-year-anniversary, that the UN decided to have an International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. A UN ‘year’ might not always be everyone’s cup of Quantum tea but it can give a focus to public engagement and help to break down some of the barriers to understanding.
That’s certainly the hope in any case. The UK is a genuine leader in this industry of the future: we have more quantum companies, and attract more private investment into quantum technologies, than any other country except the US.
We also have an excellent UK National Quantum Strategy. Published in 2022, with the support of the IOP, which provides a roadmap for the next decade of development for this crucial science.
The UK has already made significant progress in the quantum sector, including quantum research hubs and world-leading companies in areas like quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and quantum sensors.
If we want to build on that strong start, we need an informed and excited public which understands why Quantum matters and what Quantum means.
At the Institute of Physics we are helping with that work this year, co-ordinating the UK’s activity and leading on much of the story telling.
We will be hosting and supporting events, generating our own content and supporting our partners in government, business and civil society in telling the story as well.
And we are also listening to businesses in the sector, trying to understand what they need and working to help government understand how we can make the most of the investments we are making in Quantum. Our recent project working with the venture capital community looked at how they could be helped to find opportunities in physics deep tech and how science-driven innovators can market themselves to unlock the capital they need.
We believe quantum could solve some of biggest challenges facing societies and humanity; from climate change to preventing terrorism. And we understand the opportunity which it presents to our economy.
But we also know we’ll only get the benefits from this kind of global revolution – if it is understood, supported and debated by society, governments and communities. That’s the mission we have set ourselves for the International Year of Quantum and we are proud to be playing our part.
Find out more about the year of Quantum at the IYQ page, Also please visit our Vision for Quantum and VC report pages.
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.
For more information, or to get in touch, please visit our Innovation Hub and click ‘contact us’.
Upcoming events
Latest news and insights
Other forms of content
Sprint Campaigns
techUK's sprint campaigns explore how emerging and transformative technologies are developed, applied and commercialised across the UK's innovation ecosystem.
Activity includes workshops, roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, and flagship reports (setting out recommendations for Government and industry).
Each campaign runs for 4-6 months and features regular collaborations with programmes across techUK.
techUK's latest sprint campaign is on Robotic & Automation technologies. Find out how to get involved by clicking here.
Running from September to November 2023, this 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.
Get in touch below to find out more about techUK's ongoing work in this area.
Event round-ups
Report
Insights
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 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.
Report
Event round-ups
Insights
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 July to December 2024, this 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.
Event round-ups
Insights
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/
Campaign Weeks
Our annual Campaign Weeks enable techUK members to explore how the UK can lead on the development and application of emerging and transformative technologies.
Members do this by contributing blogs or vlogs, speaking at events, and highlighting examples of best practice within the UK's tech sector.
Summits
Tech and Innovation Summit 2023
Tech and Innovation Summit 2024
Receive our Tech and Innovation insights
Sign-up to get the latest updates and opportunities across Technology and Innovation & AI.
Sue Daley OBE
Sue Daley OBE
Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work.
This includes work programmes on cloud, data protection, data analytics, AI, digital ethics, Digital Identity and Internet of Things as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy.
In 2025, Sue was honoured with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the Technology Industry in the New Year Honours List.
She has been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and in 2021 was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame.
A key influencer in driving forward the data agenda in the UK, Sue was co-chair of the UK government's National Data Strategy Forum until July 2024. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries for 2020 Sue has also been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and was a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI. In addition to being a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security, Sue was recently a judge for the UK Tech 50 and is a regular judge of the annual UK Cloud Awards.
Prior to joining techUK in January 2015 Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland. She has spoken at events including the UK-China Internet Forum in Beijing, UN IGF and European RSA on issues ranging from data usage and privacy, cloud computing and online child safety. Before joining Symantec, Sue was senior policy advisor at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sue has an BA degree on History and American Studies from Leeds University and a Masters Degree on International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham. Sue is a keen sportswoman and in 2016 achieved a lifelong ambition to swim the English Channel.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2055
- Twitter:
- @ChannelSwimSue,@ChannelSwimSue
Laura Foster
Laura Foster
Laura is techUK’s Associate Director for Technology and Innovation.
She supports the application and expansion of emerging technologies, including Quantum Computing, High-Performance Computing, AR/VR/XR and Edge technologies, across the UK. As part of this, she works alongside techUK members and UK Government to champion long-term and sustainable innovation policy that will ensure the UK is a pioneer in science and technology
Before joining techUK, Laura worked internationally as a conference researcher and producer covering enterprise adoption of emerging technologies. This included being part of the strategic team at London Tech Week.
Laura has a degree in History (BA Hons) from Durham University, focussing on regional social history. Outside of work she loves reading, travelling and supporting rugby team St. Helens, where she is from.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- www.linkedin.com/in/lauraalicefoster
