How the UK can usher in quantum commercialistion
Are you ready for a glimpse into the future? Picture a world where drug discovery is accelerated, where cyber security is impenetrable, and where artificial intelligence operates at unprecedented speeds. This is not science fiction—it is the promise of quantum technology, and it is closer than you think. Quantum technology is on the verge of revolutionising industries, from healthcare to finance, by harnessing the unique properties of quantum mechanics. But to realise its full potential, we must navigate the complex landscape of quantum commercialisation. How do we ensure that the UK emerges as a world leader in this quantum frontier?
Unlocking the potential of quantum access
One of the keys to quantum commercialisation is accessibility. Quantum technology should not be reserved for the elite—it should be available to businesses of all sizes, particularly SMEs and startups.
That is where government intervention plays a crucial role. By incentivising access to quantum systems through grants and partnerships, the UK can level the playing field and foster innovation across industries. In fact, the UK Government's National Quantum Strategy, contains the vision and strategy to make the UK a leading quantum-enabled economy by 2033. By committing £2.5 billion over ten years and focusing on science, business support, adoption, and regulation, the UK is already laying the groundwork for quantum success.
Building the infrastructure for quantum success
But access alone is not enough. We need the infrastructure to support quantum innovation. The development of the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) is a significant step forward, providing businesses with the tools to experiment and develop commercially viable use cases. However, to truly succeed, we must invest in high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure, ensuring that the UK remains at the forefront of technological innovation.
Embracing convergence for quantum success
Quantum technology does not operate in isolation—it thrives on convergence. By bringing together quantum with other emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing, we can unlock new possibilities and drive innovation forward. The UK can lead this convergence, positioning itself as a science and technology superpower on the global stage.
Democratising quantum through the cloud
The cloud will play a pivotal role in democratising quantum computing. By providing affordable access to high-end quantum computing resources, businesses can accelerate adoption and drive investment in quantum technologies. The UK Government can incentivise this access through incentive programs, empowering businesses to experiment and innovate without the burden of high capital investment.
Forging partnerships for quantum success
But the most crucial ingredient for quantum commercialisation is collaboration. Government, the tech sector, and the quantum industry must work hand in hand to navigate the complexities of quantum technology. By fostering an open network of knowledge sharing and partnership, we can ensure that quantum access and infrastructure become a reality for businesses across the UK.
Looking ahead: The quantum-AI revolution
The integration of quantum and artificial intelligence (AI) holds immense potential for transformative innovation. Quantum machine learning techniques promise to revolutionise industries, accelerating computation and analysis to unprecedented levels. The UK is positioned to lead this quantum-AI revolution, leveraging its expertise in both domains. Imagine AI algorithms operating at the speed of quantum entanglement, unlocking unparalleled processing power. Quantum-AI algorithms have the potential to radically change healthcare by expediting drug discovery and personalised medicine. In finance, they could reshape risk assessment and portfolio optimisation, enhancing efficiency and foresight.
Beyond specific industries, the quantum-AI revolution could redefine technology's landscape, catalysing breakthroughs in materials science, climate modeling, and beyond. However, with such power comes responsibility. The UK Government's National Quantum Strategy emphasises ethical guidelines and regulatory frameworks to ensure responsible innovation. By prioritising transparency and accountability, we can harness the transformative potential of the quantum-AI revolution while mitigating unintended consequences. This convergence of quantum and AI represents not only a technological advancement but also an ethical imperative, shaping a brighter future for generations to come.
In conclusion, the path to quantum commercialisation is paved with challenges and opportunities. The UK Government's National Quantum Strategy provides a roadmap for success, outlining the steps needed to realise the quantum vision. By investing in science and engineering, supporting businesses, driving adoption, and establishing ethical frameworks, we can build a future in quantum innovation. By prioritising accessibility, investing in infrastructure, embracing convergence, democratising quantum through the cloud, and forging partnerships, the UK can position itself as a global leader in the quantum revolution.
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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’.
Tech and Innovation Summit, 6 Nov (rescheduled date)
Emerging technologies will be debated and explored at our annual Tech and Innovation Summit, taking place on 6 November. This campaign week will directly feed into the themes discussed at the Summit.
techUK’s flagship Tech and Innovation Summit returns to traverse the extraordinary and ground-breaking discoveries made possible by the application of emerging and transformative technologies.
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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.
This campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of space technologies 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.
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, he is techUK's Programme Manager for Emerging Technologies, covering dozens of technologies including metaverse, drones, future materials, robotics, blockchain, space technologies, nanotechnology, gaming tech and Web3.0.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
This campaign has 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 has taken the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, and thought leadership pieces. A report featuring member case studies and policy recommendations is currently being produced (to be launched in September 2024).
Get in touch below to find out more about contributing to or collaborating on this campaign.
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, he is techUK's Programme Manager for Emerging Technologies, covering dozens of technologies including metaverse, drones, future materials, robotics, blockchain, space technologies, nanotechnology, gaming tech and Web3.0.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
Running from July to December 2024, this campaign will explore 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 will take the form of roundtables, workshops, panel discussions, networking sessions, tech demos, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and reports.
Get in touch below to find out more about contributing to or collaborating on this campaign.
Launch insight
Upcoming events
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, he is techUK's Programme Manager for Emerging Technologies, covering dozens of technologies including metaverse, drones, future materials, robotics, blockchain, space technologies, nanotechnology, gaming tech and Web3.0.
- 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
Laura Foster
Laura Foster
Laura is techUK’s Head of Programme 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
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, he is techUK's Programme Manager for Emerging Technologies, covering dozens of technologies including metaverse, drones, future materials, robotics, blockchain, space technologies, nanotechnology, gaming tech and Web3.0.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
