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The UK government today announced an investment of £ 153 million in marketing efforts for quantum computing. That's about $ 193 million, and with the additional commitments of many industry players, that's over $ 440 million. Since then, the UK's national quantum technologies program has exceeded the £ 1 billion invested (or approximately $ 1.27 billion) since its inception in 2014.
In the United States, President Trump enacted last year a $ 1.2 billion investment in quantum computing. The European Union, which the UK is unfailingly trying to leave, has also launched a similar plan. Indeed, it is hard not to look at this announcement in the context of Brexit, which would isolate the UK from these European efforts, even though it should be noted that the UK obviously has a long history in fundamental computer research. to motivate these efforts.
"This step shows that Quantum is no longer an experimental science for the UK," said British Science Minister Chris Skidmore in a statement released today. "Government and corporate investment is paying off as we become one of the world's leading countries in quantum science and technology. Now, the industry is transforming what was once a futuristic dream into products that change everyday life. "
More specifically, the UK program examines research that is likely to develop its local quantum industry. To this end, the 153 million-pound Industrial Strategy Fund will invest in new products and innovations through research and development competitions, as well as in industry-led projects. It will also function as an investment accelerator, hoping to encourage venture capitalists to invest in start-up, spin-out and start-up quantum companies.
"It is not enough to create an environment conducive to the development of quantum technologies. We are investing in a wide range of technologies – computer, sensing, imaging and communications – and, during the life of this program, we expect commercial transforming products and services to move from the aspiration of laboratories to commercial reality, "Roger McKinlay, director of the Challenge for Quantum Technologies in UK research and innovation, said. "The technology is new but the approach is tried and tested. Much of the funding will be dedicated to collaborative research and development projects, awarded competitively to industry-led consortia. We will also fund feasibility studies and set up an investment accelerator to ensure a reservoir of new technologies and innovative ideas. Well established companies have not been neglected; the funds are intended to be allocated to companies with ambitious investment plans and extension plans. "
For governments, quantum computing obviously opens up many economic opportunities, but national security interests are also at stake. Once this becomes reality, a general quantum computer with long coherence times will easily be able to defeat current encryption schemes, for example. This is not the purpose of today's announcement, but it is certainly an issue to which all governments around the world are thinking.
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