Quantum tech specialist Aegip has published a plan it hopes the Government will use to boost its emerging field.
The University of Sheffield spin-out, which is based in the city, has submitted a paper to a Science, Innovation and Technology Committee inquiry in which it calls for the Government to become the first customer of quantum tech so as to drive confidence. Ideas about the use in critical national infrastructure and calls for support for the supporting semiconductor sector are among the seven points laid out by the firm, which was founded by Ukrainian school friends Maksym Sich and Andrii Iamshanov together with Scott Dufferwiel.
The evidence follows the Government's setting out of a 10-year quantum strategy to put the UK at the forefront of the technological drive. In her forward to the strategy, then Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Michelle Donelan said it would make the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a quantum business.
Read more: Management buy-out completes at Hull tech firm The One Point as continued strong growth forecast
Among the other points from Aegip are calls to counter the "rise of quantum nationalism" by fostering deeper relationships with the US and the EU; encouraging universities to take a longer term approach to quantum research, and a target to at least double the amount of young people focusing on quantum in their postgraduate degrees over the next five years.
Aegiq CEO Maksym Sich said: "Quantum technologies are set to fundamentally disrupt and revolutionise almost every sector and industry in the UK in the coming years. From cyber-security and aerospace to infrastructure and agri-tech, quantum computing has the potential to transform the UK’s society and economy. However, the UK risks failing to punch above its weight globally and it is now time for the UK Government to show consistency and ambition.
"Whilst the Government’s commitment to invest £2.5bn in quantum over the next 10 years in the recent quantum strategy is a very positive step, what matters most is the detail and there are currently only high-level intentions in the strategy. Our seven-point plan highlights the specific actions the Government must take to ensure the success of these technologies in the UK and to catch up with the likes of China who are leading the way in the sector."
