As we continue to discuss emerging quantum technology opportunities with our clients, there’s one message we keep emphasising. There is not going to be a ‘big bang’ moment. Rather than dropping off a cliff into a new quantum world, c-suite business leaders can anticipate a gradual slope towards commercial adoption.
That doesn’t mean we’re advocating a wait-and-see attitude. On the contrary – the time to seize the initiative by plotting a roadmap to the future is now. Those who prevaricate will be left behind.
This thesis drove much of the subtext when I sat down to chat quantum technology with Chris Bruce at the inaugural Cambridge Tech Week event. As you’ll see in the video of the interview below, we enjoyed a wide-ranging conversation about quantum technology examples and specifically quantum computing. Give it a watch for broad range of insights into the short-term challenges and opportunities, the role of quantum computing as part of a larger system, and the exciting revolutionary capabilities quantum computing will deliver to the world.
I really tried to stress the importance of properly exploring and understanding the commercial value of quantum computing technology – as well as outlining ways that the team at CC can help a range of organisations understand and deliver on it.
The interview covers the need for us to start exploring and understanding the potential commercial value of these technologies now – and allow ourselves to be open to the surprises along the way. Classical computing provides us with examples of the power of this approach. In the early 1950s computers were still small and experimental. But by exploring and testing their capabilities we found applications to solve problems we would never have dreamed of without such experimentation.
Emerging quantum technologies
I discussed the need to bring a commercial focus to these emerging quantum technologies, asking how we can build maximum commercial value as part of larger systems. Here is where we shouldn’t expect a single magic moment where suddenly we have widespread commercial value.
Instead, the objective should be to look for a continued growth in value through domain specific algorithms and hardware.
We also talked about people. Building a quantum-ready workforce is not just about hiring physicists with PhDs. The smart approach is to look at a large range of backgrounds and ask what role they can play in bringing about this quantum revolution sooner.
If you’d like to explore these topics further – and discuss potential value of quantum computing to your organisation – please reach out to me by email.
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James leads a team developing quantum computing capability to support future client needs, also creating demonstrators showcasing both the future potential of quantum computing and challenges in realising its potential.
