Big ticket investments have created a growing number of quantum unicorns. Chinese strides with photonic and superconducting qubits have grabbed attention. Trapped ions have shone with demonstrations of logical qubits. But who is winning the race to build a practical quantum computer?
In the wider quantum technology sector common underlying technologies are being developed for an increasingly wide variety of applications. New products are already at market and more are set to follow. Innovative leaders are setting an example of how involvement here is a force multiplier for their wider ambitions. The long term potential is huge.…
Recently updated advice on quantum security technologies from the UK NCSC is bluntly sceptical about the promised benefits of quantum key distribution. This seems at odds with the scramble of governments around the world to promote the development of quantum networking technologies. Who is right? Future large scale quantum computers will one day bring many…
Commercial activity around quantum computing has risen to fever pitch over the last year. Many point to the traditional cycle of hype and consolidation in tech markets. Some have become quick to call ‘bullshit’ much of the activity at the current commercial frontier. Others predict a coming quantum winter. How can investors and early adopters…
2019 saw Google finally demonstrate quantum supremacy. Competitors such as IBM reminded us that this was just an opening skirmish in what will be a long campaign. In 2020 we will see paths divide as competing companies and technologies face-up to the quantum chasm blocking the way to large scale quantum computers. The hard road…
Quantum spring is already coming to some parts of the wider quantum sector. National programmes and smart players are taking advantage of the opportunities this brings. Don’t underestimate the future impact of these novel gizmos. Green shoots One way to avoid quantum winter is to seek other applications of the same underlying technology that can…
Quantum computers can only realise their full potential by defeating the noise that plagues their delicate qubits. The field of quantum error correction offers some increasingly mature solutions. But it is also still a rapidly evolving discipline, and innovation here, as much as in hardware, will shape the future quantum computing roadmap. If 50-70 qubits are…
Next generation quantum key distribution is set to offer easier deployment on existing real-world infrastructure. The importance of partnering to offer end-to-end business services to early adopters is growing. The recent extension of the UK Quantum Network to the BT led tech cluster at Adastral Park is a powerful statement. Amid growing global competition, the…
The focus of the EU’s €1b Quantum Flagship programme is not basic science, nor is it simply about bringing new technologies to market. The end-goal is driving wealth creation, jobs and societal benefits in Europe. This requires kick-starting the competitive position of European industry in this sector and making Europe the region of choice for…
The UK Quantum Showcase demonstrates why others around the world are seeking to copy the UK’s quantum technology approach. It’s little surprise that the UK government is providing additional funding of £315m over the next 5 years. The 2018 UK National Quantum Technology Showcase took place in the prestigious QEII conference centre overlooking London’s Parliament…