Sam Johnson Explores UK’s Ambitions In Quantum Technologies

Please give us a little introduction on your current role and what you do

Sam Johnson is Innovation Lead for Quantum Technologies at Innovate UK, part of UK Research an Innovation. Since 2019, he has been delivering the Commercialising Quantum Technologies Challenge Fund, a £170M strategic innovation programme supporting industry-led projects aimed at building the UK’s industrial leadership in quantum technologies. He has previously held roles in Government and academia with 7 years’ experience in quantum computing and networking research.

How is the UK playing a leading role in the quantum technologies ecosystem?

The UK recognized the potential of quantum technologies early and started a National Quantum Technologies Programme back in 2014, initially though the creation of four research hubs in Quantum Computing & Simulation, Communications, Sensors & Timing and Imaging, with the objective of translating our world-class quantum science into commercial impact. Since then, we have made enormous progress and industry is now leading ambitious collaborative innovation programmes to take forward quantum technologies and demonstrate meaningful impact.

What makes the UK quantum ecosystem competitive?

There are five elements to building a competitive quantum tech ecosystem. Strong science, industry capability, ‘quantum-ready’ users, a diverse talent pool and investment. We believe that the UK is on the way to delivering on all of these. Building the foundations early through a £1bn investment over 10 years, we now have 140 companies, of which 50 are start-ups, working with 40 research organisations, including newly established capabilities like the National Quantum Computing Centre, to commercialize quantum technologies and deliver benefits to users. We’ve seen multiple quantum computing platforms established and accessible over the cloud, the trial of the first commercial quantum secured metro network, gravity sensors deployed in a real world environment to map the world beneath our feet and the development wearable brain scanners based on quantum sensors. Public funding is catalyzing private investment and UK companies have now raised over £425m since 2018. We believe this all the tip of the iceberg.

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What are the UK’s ambitions for quantum technologies?

The UK wants to scale up its ambitions in quantum technologies and the Government has just published its Quantum Strategy, which sets out a 10-year vision to become a leading quantum-enabled economy, through a commitment of £2.5bn investment from 2024. Quantum will become an integral part of our digital architecture to build a thriving and resilient economy. This is not just about the UK, it positions the ecosystem to build key international partnerships as equals, drive global progress through collaboration, sharing expertise and ultimately democratizing the benefits of the quantum technologies to meet major societal goals.

What are you most excited about for quantum in 2023? What predictions do you have for the year ahead?

I’ve said that the progress we’ve seen in the UK, and around the world, is just the tip of the iceberg. In 2023, I’m excited to see a broader range of quantum technologies start to demonstrate new and transformative capabilities through field trials and engage a new set of users. Quantum companies are increasingly moving to product and starting to generate revenue and this trend will continue through 2023. This is how quantum advantage should be defined and it will ultimately translate into economic productivity.

What are you looking to showcase at our show in Boston this April?

The UK will have a presence throughout the conference schedule and UKRI will also be at the exhibition hall, where you will have a chance to meet with the Quantum Challenge team at Innovate UK, the National Quantum Computing Centre, Quantum Computing & Simulation Hub and some of the UK’s leading-edge start-ups – Cerca Magnetics, Delta G and Craft Prospect. We think this cross-section will showcase the UK’s competitiveness.

Who are you looking forward to meeting?

This is a global conference and I’m keen to meet and build connections with people from the US ecosystem and beyond. One of the big themes this year is the implications of quantum technologies for encryption so I’m keen to find out more about the state of play, the risks and opportunities – particularly in the telecommunications sector. Quantum technologies will ultimately need to be integrated into digital networks. only then will their potential be fully realized.

UKRI will be attending Quantum.Tech USA as a Country Pavilion Sponsor on April 25-26. To hear more on their involvement in quantum and their research, register today.