Empowering UK industry to take advantage of quantum computing

In collaboration with IBM Quantum and the University of Liverpool, the Hartree Centre hosted an industry-focused workshop to teach UK businesses about the potential applications of quantum computing.    

The UK is advancing into the era of quantum utility and advantage as interest and research around quantum computing continues to grow. Quantum utility and advantage refers to the points in time at which quantum computing can perform in line with classical computing, and when quantum computing will deliver a significant practical advantage in a way that is cheaper, faster and more accurate.

Our speakers outlined the future roadmap and potential applications of quantum computing, as well as the current limitations and how we are overcoming them. This allowed our audience to gain a deeper understanding of the current progress and developments it will provide in the near term, and in the future. We kicked off with an outline from IBM Quantum about where they are in their research, how they are going to overcome the greatest challenges, and what they are doing to move towards quantum advantage.

“We’ve got to a place where our theory and experiments work together and we can really explore how to use this technology for applications in the near term.”

Dr Sarah Sheldon, IBM Quantum

Following this we heard from some of our industry partners about the benefits that quantum computing has provided in the healthcare and life science sectors. We were walked through the impact quantum computing can have on patient care by streamlining and standardising cancer subtyping, getting patients the most appropriate treatment as fast as possible. We then learnt about how quantum computing can quickly and accurately identify promising candidates for drug discovery, drastically reducing the time and cost of early drug discovery.

On the left Jan-Lukas Robertus, NHS Royal Brompton and on the right Dr Peter Love, Brookhaven National Laboratory.

“Quantum machine learning was the best solution for this diagnostic healthcare challenge due to the complexity of patient data sets. The amount of biological data contained in digitised pathology slides is utterly complex. This means that data that could inform us about cancer prognosis and diagnosis is untapped when we use traditional methods.”

Jan-Lukas Robertus, NHS Royal Brompton

“Future advancements are likely to make quantum simulations even more efficient, allowing for simulations of larger systems with higher accuracy. This will open new possibilities in fields like chemistry, materials science, and cryptography.”

Dr Peter Love, Brookhaven National Laboratory

The potential for quantum computing to revolutionise different sectors by solving problems out of reach for classical computers was highlighted as we heard from more of our partners. We then uncovered the kinds of complex challenges that quantum computing can solve in the energy sector, such as strategic infrastructure development, effective energy demand management and streamlined renewable energy integration. Further quantum computing techniques were then explained and explored as we found out about less well-known processes and methods that could overcome the current limitations.

On the right Dr Giorgio Cortiana, E.On and on the left Ivano Tavernelli, IBM Research.

“As energy demands grow, quantum computing can help us manage the grid’s complexity and balance supply with demand more efficiently.”

Dr Giorgio Cortiana, E.On

“Quantum utility isn’t just about computational speed; it’s about tackling problems with innovative methods and perspectives that classical approaches alone cannot achieve.”

Ivano Tavernelli, IBM Research

To round off the discussions, a panel was held to answer questions and inform the attendees about available funding such as the HNCDI programme and how IBM and the Hartree Centre could support them in quantum adoption.

“Collaborations with HNCDI provide academics like me the know-how and leadership to push cutting-edge projects forward.”

Jan-Lukas Robertus, NHS Royal Brompton

Quantum computing is developing more rapidly now than ever before due to technological advancements, increased funding and interest in the field. Empowering UK industry to take advantage of this emerging technology and push innovation will lead to more applications and impact nationally in the future.