On Wednesday 8 March, PICTFOR hosted their first event of the year, focusing on quantum technology.
The roundtable featured insights from Professor Myungshik Kim, Chair of Theoretical Quantum Information Sciences at Imperial College London, BT’s Principal of Scientific Affairs, Jonathan Legh Smith, and the Chair of Condensed Matter Physics at UCL, Professor Andrew Green. The event was Chaired by Darren Jones MP, PICTFOR’s Co-Chair.
Darren Jones MP provided opening remarks, laying out his view of the role of legislators and the existing parliamentary understanding of quantum technologies. One of the key questions for the UK, he suggested, was how we can continue to punch above our weight compared to the bigger spenders such as the US and China. He argued that, from a policy perspective, parliamentarians were considering what lessons the UK could learn from other emerging technologies. Darren added that, while the UK’s research pedigree is strong, businesses struggle to acquire capital investment. The two key policy issues surrounding quantum, he argued, are regulation and national security. Darren suggested that collaboration was one of the key ways to ensure the UK is keeping up with higher spending countries in quantum technology.
Professor Kim began by comparing conventional and quantum computing. All computers, he explained, run based on the numbers 0 and 1. Conventional computers understand 0 and 1 as bundles of thousands of electrons. Conversely, quantum computers care about the individual electrons. Professor Kim described the value of parallelism, a function enabled by quantum computers, using the example of investment analysis. A conventional computer, when deciding whether to recommend an investment, will calculate returns on investments one by one, taking significant time. Professor Kim noted that a quantum computer will be able to make these calculations simultaneously, saving huge amounts of time. He argued that the Government should focus on quantum computing because it has the potential to help the UK respond to major societal challenges such as climate change. He also noted that this will locate the UK at the forefront of quantum technology and all the technologies required to support it.
Jonathan Legh Smith started by sharing that he has been actively engaged with the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme for over 8 years. BT’s interests, he explained, were largely user focused but also based on improving communications. He added that BT was interested in quantum sensing, as quantum technology will to allow BT to analyse underground digging locations far faster. Timing is also an area where quantum could support BT; telecoms networks rely heavily on accurate timings, which can be better ensured by quantum technology. Jonathan also described how quantum computing will help BT allocate its 20,000 field engineers jobs that fit their location and expertise. He continued by explaining how quantum technology can help optimise traffic sent to customers and ensure that communications are secured. Jonathan closed by adding that BT recently announced that they are in the process of undertaking a London secure network trial, using quantum technology, with Toshiba and Ernst & Young.
Professor Green explained that his background was in the theory of quantum systems before adding that he would be delving into the context in which the science is developing, rather than the science itself. He argued that timing and people were the key factors for the UK to consider. On timing, he said that, although the rewards from quantum will be substantial, it could be 5-10 years before they become apparent. He argued that we need to factor this period of low returns into strategy. He stressed that the necessary infrastructure needs to be in place before the technology fully develops, so that the UK can start using quantum as soon as it is feasible. He also noted that one key short-term benefit of developing quantum technology is that conventional algorithms have improved to keep pace with early quantum technology developments. On people, he argued that the UK is facing a desperate quantum skills shortage, suggesting that more quantum PHD students are needed, potentially using quantum visas, as well as more international collaboration. He expressed his support for Horizon, noting that universities were fighting a losing battle for quantum technology post-docs with industry as businesses can pay more. However, he did note that the current IP arrangements in the UK were encouraging entrepreneurialism. Professor Green suggested that innovation, as well as science, needs funding. Although the UK’s funding system is strong, Professor Green said, he closed by noting that we need to focus on procedures around innovation and not close the doors to new people, funding, and ideas.
The Chair then opened the discussion to the roundtable. When asked what the UK can do to become as attractive as possible for researchers and students, Professor Kim suggested that improved funding for international students would be an important factor. BCS’s Head of Policy, Daniel Aldridge, then discussed the quantum and quantum adjacent skills gap in the UK. Charles Hughes, of eManagment questioned whether there were similar ethics conversations to be had on quantum technology as there are surrounding technologies like AI. The Government Office for Science’s, Rory Saitch then opened discussion of the key quantum start-ups in the UK with both the Chair and Professor Kim noted that work is needed to better finance UK start-ups. The Chair then asked about a story released in China in which researchers claim to have successfully used quantum technology to decrypt conventional passwords; Imperial College London’s Professor Sir Peter Knight argued that this story was flawed. Professor Green raised other types of computing, such as photonic, biological, and reservoir computing. The Chair then moved the conversation onto sovereign computing, questioning whether the state should be investing in computing power at a national level. The UK National Quantum Technologies Programme’s Abhinav Sharma then asked about the intellectual property landscape surrounding quantum technology. Finally, Professor Phillips questioned whether the UK is underselling its achievements in quantum technology, before the Chair brought the session to a close.