Last week, the country’s brightest minds in technology and policy gathered to celebrate innovation, confront challenges and shape the future of the UK’s tech landscape, as part of UK Tech Week 2025.
In an era defined by breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing stands out as possibly the most important, and least understood advancement in technology. Quantum computing is a new kind of computing that uses quantum physics to process information in ways that can outperform the most powerful supercomputers. It is poised to redefine industries, national security and scientific discovery.
So, how is this rapidly evolving technology reshaping our future in ways that we are only beginning to grasp, and what role could the UK play in the development of quantum policy?
The good, the bad and the terrifying
The potential benefits of quantum computing are vast. In fields such as healthcare, climate science and materials engineering, quantum breakthroughs could unlock solutions to problems previously deemed too difficult to solve. Whether it be developing new medicines for rare diseases where previously the cost of tackling them was prohibitively expensive or optimising complex supply chains to reduce global waste, quantum computing has the potential to revolutionise industries.
If you were waiting for a ‘but’, there is one, because quantum computing also presents serious risks. One of the most pressing concerns is cybersecurity and encryption. Current cryptographic systems rely on problems that would take today’s most powerful computers hundreds of years to solve. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) suggest that advanced quantum computers could break these encryptions in days if not hours, posing severe cybersecurity threats to governments, financial institutions and private enterprises.
All that being said, we can take a deep sigh of relief for now as the sheer complexity and infrastructure required for quantum computing make it nearly impossible for rogue actors or terrorist organisations to exploit this technology unnoticed. However, just as traditional computers evolved from room-sized machines to pocket-sized ‘super computers’, the rapid advancement of quantum technology could make it more accessible, more unnoticeable and more dangerous in the decades to come.
Earlier this month FGF published Rebuilding the Nation 05: Spurring Innovation, in which we set out how the government can create an environment to enable breakthroughs in AI, space and quantum computing that in turn unlock new sources of economic growth. The report highlights key barriers to innovation, including fragmented funding, regulatory complexity and limited collaboration between the government and industry, and makes a range of recommendations for the government to combat this.
The next global race
The United States currently leads the charge in quantum computing, with industry titans like IBM, Google and Microsoft unveiling quantum chips. While China is expected to follow suit, its current standing in the quantum race remains uncertain. If past trends, such as in AI development, are any indication, China may be trailing the US by approximately five years. However, as Deepseek has proven, predictions are just that: predictions. The gap may close far sooner than expected.
And the race is heating up. Until recently, most experts would have believed we were decades away from large-scale commercial usage of quantum computing. However, Microsoft’s most recent discovery – its Majorana 1 chip- uses a special kind of material to create more stable qubits (the building blocks of quantum computers), which have always been too fragile and hard to control. This breakthrough has led to speculation that we could be just a few years away.
The UK’s quantum dilemma
As quantum computing advances, certain sectors face both new opportunities and challenges in adapting to this technology. The life sciences industry has become increasingly important to the UK’s economy over the last decade, driving economic growth and medical innovation. Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionise the sector, transforming drug development, genetic research and opening new doors to personalised medicine, enabling pharmaceutical firms to solve complex problems in minutes rather than years. The UK is home to a world-class life science industry. However while we are making significant strides in quantum computing, the UK currently lacks the industrial scale to rival the U.S. or China in hardware development. This leaves us vulnerable. If the UK is to remain competitive and continue to grow in the industry, it must ask itself difficult questions: how will we secure access to quantum computing resources? How can we ensure that the UK has a stake in the sector? These are becoming ever more pressing questions.
On the other hand, where the UK does have a potential competitive advantage and a unique opportunity to position itself as a global leader, is in quantum policy and regulation. Unlike other nations that focus on corporate-led quantum advancements, the UK could leverage its intellectual capital in higher education to shape ethical and security frameworks for quantum technology. Leading British academics and researchers, many of whom are not directly affiliated with major tech conglomerates, provide a foundation for the UK to influence the quantum computing regulation landscape in an independent way, balancing safety with the fostering of innovation.
Looking ahead
As quantum computing advances, governments must begin laying the groundwork for quantum regulation and diplomacy. The UK, despite its limitations in hardware development, has an opportunity to take the lead in establishing international norms, frameworks and cooperative agreements that ensure quantum computing’s responsible use. But there are many questions that need answering, including:
- How will quantum computing impact the UK’s life science industry?
- What ethical boundaries should govern quantum computing research?
- How can encryption methods be adapted to withstand quantum threats?
- What role should global diplomacy play in preventing quantum arms races?
The quantum revolution is coming whether we are ready or not. The UK has the time, knowledge and capacity to be prepared for the quantum computing revolution. Let us not waste it.
