1
00:00:00,417 --> 00:00:01,793
- In the Douglas Adams book,
2
00:00:01,793 --> 00:00:03,795
"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy,"
3
00:00:03,962 --> 00:00:06,089
an advanced race wants
the answer to
4
00:00:06,089 --> 00:00:09,009
"life, the universe, and everything".
5
00:00:09,009 --> 00:00:11,136
So they build a computer
to crunch the numbers.
6
00:00:11,136 --> 00:00:14,055
7.5 million years later,
7
00:00:14,055 --> 00:00:16,099
"Deep Thought" announces the answer...
8
00:00:16,099 --> 00:00:17,851
is 42.
9
00:00:17,851 --> 00:00:20,311
It took so long to calculate the answer
10
00:00:20,311 --> 00:00:23,106
that it forgot what the question was.
11
00:00:23,106 --> 00:00:24,816
Maybe it wouldn't have taken so long
12
00:00:24,816 --> 00:00:27,444
had the Magratheans
used a quantum computer,
13
00:00:27,444 --> 00:00:28,570
or maybe networked
14
00:00:28,570 --> 00:00:30,864
a few of those quantum computers together?
15
00:00:31,281 --> 00:00:34,784
Meet Sonali Mohapatra, the
Quantum Innovation Sector Lead
16
00:00:34,784 --> 00:00:38,580
at the National Quantum Computing
Centre in Oxford, England.
17
00:00:38,663 --> 00:00:39,998
- I get super excited
18
00:00:39,998 --> 00:00:42,208
about the use cases of quantum computing.
19
00:00:42,208 --> 00:00:44,711
I can see that quantum
computers can be used
20
00:00:44,711 --> 00:00:47,046
for transformative
changes to the way we live
21
00:00:47,046 --> 00:00:50,592
and the way we work in the
society, as humanity collective.
22
00:00:50,592 --> 00:00:52,761
- Mohapatra is a trained physicist,
23
00:00:52,761 --> 00:00:54,387
experienced quantum researcher,
24
00:00:54,387 --> 00:00:56,222
and innovation strategist.
25
00:00:56,222 --> 00:00:58,933
At the NQCC, she's tackling the challenge
26
00:00:58,933 --> 00:01:01,144
of scaling quantum computing
27
00:01:01,144 --> 00:01:03,396
and its practical adoption.
28
00:01:03,396 --> 00:01:06,357
If scientists think quantum
computers are powerful today,
29
00:01:06,357 --> 00:01:07,859
what happens when we start
30
00:01:07,859 --> 00:01:10,445
networking them together tomorrow?
31
00:01:10,445 --> 00:01:12,822
The answer to that
question isn't 42, is it?
32
00:01:14,032 --> 00:01:17,243
- Well, that remains to be
seen, doesn't it, Michael?
33
00:01:21,456 --> 00:01:24,000
- Explain what the National
Quantum Computing Centre does
34
00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:27,003
like you're explaining it to your parents.
35
00:01:27,003 --> 00:01:29,380
- Well, the National
Quantum Computing Centre
36
00:01:29,380 --> 00:01:32,509
is the UK's national lab
for quantum computing.
37
00:01:32,509 --> 00:01:36,179
We tackle the challenge of
scaling quantum computers.
38
00:01:36,179 --> 00:01:37,305
You might have already heard
39
00:01:37,305 --> 00:01:39,474
that there are some
small-scale quantum computers
40
00:01:39,474 --> 00:01:41,935
getting online in cloud,
everywhere in the world.
41
00:01:41,935 --> 00:01:44,020
At the moment, multiple
companies are coming up
42
00:01:44,020 --> 00:01:46,231
with their own versions
of quantum computers.
43
00:01:46,231 --> 00:01:48,274
But how do we make these quantum computers
44
00:01:48,274 --> 00:01:49,609
bigger and better
45
00:01:49,609 --> 00:01:53,822
and something that
different people in society
46
00:01:53,822 --> 00:01:56,199
and different industries
will be able to use?
47
00:01:56,199 --> 00:01:58,159
This is the challenge that we are tackling
48
00:01:58,159 --> 00:02:00,537
at the National Quantum
Computing Centre in the UK.
49
00:02:00,537 --> 00:02:02,288
We're tackling specifically the challenge
50
00:02:02,288 --> 00:02:04,207
of scaling these quantum computers,
51
00:02:04,207 --> 00:02:05,792
and making sure that quantum computers
52
00:02:05,792 --> 00:02:08,419
can be adopted by society
53
00:02:08,419 --> 00:02:11,506
and getting the society quantum ready.
54
00:02:11,506 --> 00:02:12,549
- Tell me about that adoption,
55
00:02:12,549 --> 00:02:14,676
because quantum computers won't be used
56
00:02:14,676 --> 00:02:16,594
like regular computers.
57
00:02:16,594 --> 00:02:17,679
- You're absolutely correct there.
58
00:02:17,679 --> 00:02:20,348
Quantum computers are a very
different kind of computers
59
00:02:20,348 --> 00:02:22,892
to the regular computers
that we use today.
60
00:02:22,892 --> 00:02:26,396
They are specifically going to be better
61
00:02:26,396 --> 00:02:28,147
at certain types of problems.
62
00:02:28,147 --> 00:02:29,149
These types of problems
63
00:02:29,149 --> 00:02:31,985
could be simulation-specific problems,
64
00:02:31,985 --> 00:02:35,113
such as simulating things
which are like nature,
65
00:02:35,113 --> 00:02:37,782
so potentially molecules
that exist in nature,
66
00:02:37,782 --> 00:02:39,450
because these are quantum systems.
67
00:02:39,450 --> 00:02:41,703
At the moment, we have
many approximate methods
68
00:02:41,703 --> 00:02:43,329
to be simulating those molecules.
69
00:02:43,329 --> 00:02:45,290
But if we have quantum computers,
70
00:02:45,290 --> 00:02:48,418
we would be able to
simulate real molecules
71
00:02:48,418 --> 00:02:49,878
to the exact details.
72
00:02:49,878 --> 00:02:54,340
This would unlock opportunities
73
00:02:54,340 --> 00:02:58,761
to simulate bigger and
better drugs, drug molecules,
74
00:02:58,761 --> 00:03:00,638
leading to advancements in medicine.
75
00:03:00,638 --> 00:03:04,267
We might be able to discover
new ways of capturing carbon.
76
00:03:04,267 --> 00:03:07,437
We would be able to discover
new materials, for example,
77
00:03:07,437 --> 00:03:09,314
which could be used everywhere,
78
00:03:09,314 --> 00:03:12,025
starting from batteries to space travel.
79
00:03:13,067 --> 00:03:16,404
Quantum computers are also
really good at cryptography.
80
00:03:16,404 --> 00:03:17,989
You know, they would be used
81
00:03:17,989 --> 00:03:21,200
to find bigger and better
cryptographic systems
82
00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:22,201
of the future.
83
00:03:22,201 --> 00:03:24,495
You might have also heard
that they are also a threat
84
00:03:24,495 --> 00:03:25,955
to our current cryptographic systems,
85
00:03:25,955 --> 00:03:28,166
and there are scientists around the world
86
00:03:28,166 --> 00:03:30,460
looking at how we can
use quantum computers
87
00:03:30,460 --> 00:03:34,255
to actually make more
resilient cryptographic systems
88
00:03:34,255 --> 00:03:35,298
of the future.
89
00:03:35,298 --> 00:03:37,050
Quantum computers are also
going to be really good
90
00:03:37,050 --> 00:03:39,093
at complex optimization problems,
91
00:03:39,093 --> 00:03:40,720
So, for example, weather modelling
92
00:03:40,720 --> 00:03:42,138
or climate change modelling,
93
00:03:42,138 --> 00:03:43,848
or looking at, for example, predicting
94
00:03:43,848 --> 00:03:45,850
when the next solar
flares and solar storms
95
00:03:45,850 --> 00:03:46,851
are going to happen
96
00:03:46,851 --> 00:03:48,394
and making sure that our power grids
97
00:03:48,394 --> 00:03:49,729
are not going to be affected.
98
00:03:49,729 --> 00:03:52,482
So these are just some examples
of the type of problems
99
00:03:52,482 --> 00:03:54,067
that we're going to be tackling
100
00:03:54,067 --> 00:03:57,153
with the quantum computers of the future.
101
00:03:57,153 --> 00:03:58,446
- How far away is that future?
102
00:03:58,446 --> 00:04:00,698
Where are we on that journey
to quantum computing?
103
00:04:00,698 --> 00:04:01,991
- People in various different industries
104
00:04:01,991 --> 00:04:03,868
are actively researching,
105
00:04:03,868 --> 00:04:06,704
using those early stage
quantum computing platforms.
106
00:04:06,704 --> 00:04:09,707
However, in order to
actually come to a point
107
00:04:09,707 --> 00:04:11,584
which we call "quantum advantage",
108
00:04:11,584 --> 00:04:12,460
where quantum computers
109
00:04:12,460 --> 00:04:15,546
are going to be capable
of solving problems
110
00:04:15,546 --> 00:04:16,673
which a current classical
111
00:04:16,673 --> 00:04:18,716
supercomputing cluster, for example,
112
00:04:18,716 --> 00:04:20,551
would not be able to solve today,
113
00:04:20,551 --> 00:04:22,095
so, you know, interesting problems
114
00:04:22,095 --> 00:04:26,266
that we are unable to solve
by using current resources,
115
00:04:26,266 --> 00:04:29,435
we are still quite a few
years, you know, away
116
00:04:29,435 --> 00:04:31,020
from that particular dream.
117
00:04:31,020 --> 00:04:33,731
However, there's a lot
of research going into
118
00:04:33,731 --> 00:04:36,484
tackling the problems
that we need to solve
119
00:04:36,484 --> 00:04:39,362
before we can come to that
future in the next 10 years.
120
00:04:39,362 --> 00:04:42,365
These could be, you know,
error correction, for example.
121
00:04:42,365 --> 00:04:45,034
Quantum systems are very, very,
122
00:04:45,034 --> 00:04:46,536
they are very sensitive
123
00:04:46,536 --> 00:04:49,330
because these are very tiny
particles, quantum particles.
124
00:04:49,330 --> 00:04:52,500
So let's say a single
light particle or a photon
125
00:04:52,500 --> 00:04:53,584
which we are trying to trap
126
00:04:53,584 --> 00:04:55,420
or a single ion which
we are trying to trap
127
00:04:55,420 --> 00:04:58,298
and then connect to multiple
other light particles or ions
128
00:04:58,298 --> 00:05:00,967
and then we are trying to stabilise them,
129
00:05:00,967 --> 00:05:03,553
you know, in that environmental condition.
130
00:05:03,553 --> 00:05:06,848
These produce a lot of noise, for example,
131
00:05:06,848 --> 00:05:08,725
so we need to correct that noise
132
00:05:08,725 --> 00:05:11,978
and errors that, you know, are
interacting with each other
133
00:05:11,978 --> 00:05:13,146
or with various different kinds
134
00:05:13,146 --> 00:05:15,231
of environmental conditions could produce.
135
00:05:15,231 --> 00:05:17,650
That's one type of research stream
136
00:05:17,650 --> 00:05:20,528
that scientists are
tackling at the moment.
137
00:05:20,528 --> 00:05:22,780
We also need better quantum algorithms,
138
00:05:22,780 --> 00:05:24,907
we also need better quantum hardware,
139
00:05:24,907 --> 00:05:26,034
and we also need to understand
140
00:05:26,034 --> 00:05:29,704
how we can actually
practically put together
141
00:05:29,704 --> 00:05:31,914
many different types of
quantum processes and chips
142
00:05:31,914 --> 00:05:34,917
and build much larger
quantum computing systems
143
00:05:34,917 --> 00:05:38,671
which would be able to
tackle practical problems
144
00:05:38,671 --> 00:05:41,341
and not just small-scale toy problems.
145
00:05:41,799 --> 00:05:43,593
- So unlike regular computers,
146
00:05:43,593 --> 00:05:47,138
quantum computers excel in
solving very specific problems
147
00:05:47,138 --> 00:05:50,558
that require an enormous
amount of data all at once,
148
00:05:50,558 --> 00:05:54,020
like simulating molecules
in drug discovery,
149
00:05:54,020 --> 00:05:55,855
optimising power grids,
150
00:05:55,855 --> 00:05:58,900
and predicting climate change.
151
00:05:58,900 --> 00:06:01,694
As research progresses
over the next decade,
152
00:06:01,694 --> 00:06:03,112
advancements will pave the way
153
00:06:03,112 --> 00:06:06,908
for practical large-scale
quantum computing systems
154
00:06:06,908 --> 00:06:11,120
capable of answering today's
unsolvable questions.
155
00:06:11,120 --> 00:06:13,039
Well, maybe not about life.
156
00:06:13,081 --> 00:06:14,165
When it comes to use cases,
157
00:06:14,165 --> 00:06:17,460
the primary one that I hear
a lot about is security.
158
00:06:17,460 --> 00:06:19,962
What will quantum computing
bring to businesses
159
00:06:19,962 --> 00:06:21,506
that we don't already have?
160
00:06:21,506 --> 00:06:24,675
What does quantum do for enterprise?
161
00:06:24,675 --> 00:06:28,387
- Quantum can have a lot of
advantages for enterprises.
162
00:06:28,387 --> 00:06:30,014
Enterprises, for example, have a lot
163
00:06:30,014 --> 00:06:31,474
of optimization programs.
164
00:06:31,474 --> 00:06:33,518
It can provide advantages
165
00:06:33,518 --> 00:06:36,062
in, for example, supply
chain optimization.
166
00:06:36,062 --> 00:06:37,396
It can provide advantages
167
00:06:37,396 --> 00:06:40,316
to financial services
industry, for example,
168
00:06:40,316 --> 00:06:42,151
in optimising their portfolios.
169
00:06:42,151 --> 00:06:46,447
It can also provide
advantages around security
170
00:06:46,447 --> 00:06:47,740
by making sure that we are transitioning
171
00:06:47,740 --> 00:06:49,617
into a future which is,
172
00:06:49,617 --> 00:06:52,370
into a cryptographic future
which is quantum safe.
173
00:06:52,370 --> 00:06:54,664
And regulators such as the
FSA (Financial Services Authority)
174
00:06:54,664 --> 00:06:56,958
are already trying to work with us,
175
00:06:56,958 --> 00:06:58,084
the Quantum Computing Centre,
176
00:06:58,084 --> 00:07:00,420
as well as, you know,
the hubs around the UK,
177
00:07:00,420 --> 00:07:02,463
such as the Quantum
Computing & Simulation Hub,
178
00:07:02,463 --> 00:07:04,757
as well as banks around the world
179
00:07:04,757 --> 00:07:05,591
and regulators around the world
180
00:07:05,591 --> 00:07:08,636
trying to understand how
we can go into that future.
181
00:07:09,971 --> 00:07:13,141
Other industries, such
as the medicine industry,
182
00:07:13,141 --> 00:07:16,352
will be able to use quantum
computers, for example,
183
00:07:16,352 --> 00:07:19,355
to solve challenging
optimization problems,
184
00:07:19,355 --> 00:07:22,775
such as theatre allocation
or bed allocation
185
00:07:22,775 --> 00:07:25,653
or optimization of nurse rotas.
186
00:07:25,653 --> 00:07:27,405
And these are practical challenges
187
00:07:27,405 --> 00:07:30,074
that we are facing today in the world.
188
00:07:30,074 --> 00:07:31,659
Other interesting use cases
189
00:07:31,659 --> 00:07:33,911
could be developing precision medicine
190
00:07:33,911 --> 00:07:37,415
which are tailored to your physical system
191
00:07:37,415 --> 00:07:41,252
and not just, you know, made for all,
192
00:07:41,252 --> 00:07:43,838
approximate medicine that
we are used to today.
193
00:07:43,838 --> 00:07:47,049
So we will be able to simulate
reactivity predictions
194
00:07:47,049 --> 00:07:49,594
for how does this particular drug react
195
00:07:49,594 --> 00:07:52,054
with a particular, you know, subsystem
196
00:07:52,054 --> 00:07:54,390
of a particular organ
or a particular molecule
197
00:07:54,390 --> 00:07:56,434
in somebody's body.
198
00:07:56,434 --> 00:07:58,144
And these are challenging problems
199
00:07:58,144 --> 00:08:00,396
that we need to be tackling,
200
00:08:00,396 --> 00:08:01,856
we need to be preparing for,
201
00:08:01,856 --> 00:08:03,941
if we want to have the solutions ready
202
00:08:03,941 --> 00:08:05,651
in the next 5 to 10 years.
203
00:08:05,651 --> 00:08:07,236
There's also interesting use cases
204
00:08:07,236 --> 00:08:10,031
in the aerospace sector,
in the space sector,
205
00:08:10,031 --> 00:08:12,033
that people are already tackling,
206
00:08:12,033 --> 00:08:13,034
and in the energy space.
207
00:08:13,034 --> 00:08:15,912
So we can look at how to
optimise our energy grids.
208
00:08:15,912 --> 00:08:19,749
We can also look at optimising
energy uses in our houses.
209
00:08:19,749 --> 00:08:20,583
So how do we make sure
210
00:08:20,583 --> 00:08:22,543
that we are minimising our energy uses?
211
00:08:22,543 --> 00:08:24,921
And this is a very topical use case
212
00:08:24,921 --> 00:08:26,631
because of the current energy prices
213
00:08:26,631 --> 00:08:28,382
that we are all facing as well.
214
00:08:28,507 --> 00:08:31,511
- Advances in battery
development and carbon capture
215
00:08:31,511 --> 00:08:34,555
are critical for
addressing climate change.
216
00:08:34,555 --> 00:08:37,308
Quantum computers offer significant
benefits for enterprise,
217
00:08:37,308 --> 00:08:39,936
especially in optimization and security.
218
00:08:39,936 --> 00:08:42,104
Industries like financial
services can use it
219
00:08:42,104 --> 00:08:43,439
to optimise portfolios,
220
00:08:43,439 --> 00:08:45,900
while healthcare can streamline tasks
221
00:08:45,900 --> 00:08:48,319
like theatre and bed allocation.
222
00:08:48,319 --> 00:08:51,447
And the NQCC's hackathons have suggested
223
00:08:51,447 --> 00:08:53,574
new exciting use cases.
224
00:08:53,574 --> 00:08:56,118
Many of them will save lives.
225
00:08:56,535 --> 00:08:58,204
I love hackathons 'cause you never know
226
00:08:58,204 --> 00:09:00,748
what you're going to
get out of one of them
227
00:09:00,748 --> 00:09:02,375
when you host one.
228
00:09:02,375 --> 00:09:04,418
What are some of your favourite use cases
229
00:09:04,418 --> 00:09:05,628
for quantum computing
230
00:09:05,628 --> 00:09:08,548
that have come out of the
NQCC's funded projects?
231
00:09:08,548 --> 00:09:11,133
So these are very
interesting opportunities
232
00:09:11,133 --> 00:09:12,969
for people to get involved in
233
00:09:12,969 --> 00:09:16,639
and actually get very hands-on usage,
234
00:09:16,639 --> 00:09:18,683
directly start to get,
you know, hands dirty
235
00:09:18,683 --> 00:09:20,351
with using quantum computers
236
00:09:20,351 --> 00:09:23,020
and get mentored by some of
the leading industry experts
237
00:09:23,020 --> 00:09:24,188
in quantum computing
238
00:09:24,188 --> 00:09:25,940
who work with the NQCC
239
00:09:25,940 --> 00:09:28,901
and provide this kind of
mentorship during the hackathons.
240
00:09:28,901 --> 00:09:30,570
Some of my favourite use cases
241
00:09:30,570 --> 00:09:33,656
from some of the projects
that we have funded
242
00:09:33,656 --> 00:09:38,327
are around NHS optimization,
243
00:09:38,327 --> 00:09:41,581
NHS bed allocation, theatre
optimising, for example,
244
00:09:41,581 --> 00:09:44,333
where one of the companies
that we have partnered with
245
00:09:44,333 --> 00:09:45,751
known as Applied Quantum Computing
246
00:09:45,751 --> 00:09:49,672
has partnered with NHS partners
as well in the background
247
00:09:49,672 --> 00:09:50,506
and they're looking
248
00:09:50,506 --> 00:09:53,384
at this particular optimization use case.
249
00:09:53,384 --> 00:09:54,635
There's other use cases
250
00:09:54,635 --> 00:09:57,138
where a particular company
is, again, looking at
251
00:09:57,138 --> 00:09:59,056
how they can tackle the challenge
252
00:09:59,056 --> 00:10:02,768
of loading containers on an aircraft
253
00:10:02,768 --> 00:10:05,146
and optimising the
loading of this container
254
00:10:05,146 --> 00:10:08,524
so they can minimise the carbon emissions,
255
00:10:08,524 --> 00:10:10,568
they can maximise fuel efficiency.
256
00:10:10,568 --> 00:10:12,820
Did you know that the fuel
efficiency of an aircraft
257
00:10:12,820 --> 00:10:15,698
actually depends on how
containers are loaded
258
00:10:15,698 --> 00:10:18,075
around the centre of
gravity of the aircraft?
259
00:10:18,075 --> 00:10:19,744
So, you know, it's an exciting job.
260
00:10:19,744 --> 00:10:21,454
You find out new things every day
261
00:10:21,454 --> 00:10:23,205
and then you use this information
262
00:10:23,205 --> 00:10:24,832
to make sure that we're going towards
263
00:10:24,832 --> 00:10:27,335
a better future for humanity
264
00:10:27,335 --> 00:10:30,296
and, you know, how do we
provide this advantage
265
00:10:30,296 --> 00:10:33,341
to societal and, you know, human benefit?
266
00:10:33,341 --> 00:10:35,176
So those are some of
my favourite use cases.
267
00:10:35,176 --> 00:10:37,053
We are expecting to see,
268
00:10:37,053 --> 00:10:38,888
starting to see more and more use cases
269
00:10:38,888 --> 00:10:41,390
around better battery development.
270
00:10:41,390 --> 00:10:42,600
I think this is going to be some
271
00:10:42,600 --> 00:10:45,102
of the, you know, very exciting use cases
272
00:10:45,102 --> 00:10:47,813
being developed further and further
273
00:10:47,813 --> 00:10:49,065
in the upcoming years.
274
00:10:49,065 --> 00:10:50,733
We are also starting to see use cases
275
00:10:50,733 --> 00:10:55,571
around, let's say,
discovery of new materials
276
00:10:55,571 --> 00:10:56,864
around carbon capture.
277
00:10:56,864 --> 00:10:58,157
And I'm really happy about that
278
00:10:58,157 --> 00:11:00,034
because we very much know
279
00:11:00,034 --> 00:11:01,577
we are seeing extreme weather conditions
280
00:11:01,577 --> 00:11:02,995
everywhere in the world,
281
00:11:02,995 --> 00:11:04,080
that climate change is going to be one
282
00:11:04,080 --> 00:11:05,081
of the biggest problems
283
00:11:05,081 --> 00:11:07,208
we are going to tackle going forward
284
00:11:08,292 --> 00:11:11,295
together as humanity, collectively.
285
00:11:11,295 --> 00:11:14,340
- We saw the exponential
potential of traditional computers
286
00:11:14,340 --> 00:11:15,841
once we networked them together
287
00:11:15,841 --> 00:11:16,967
and called it "the cloud".
288
00:11:16,967 --> 00:11:21,097
What happens when we network
quantum computers together?
289
00:11:22,181 --> 00:11:24,809
- That's a very interesting question.
290
00:11:24,809 --> 00:11:27,603
The idea of networking
quantum computers together
291
00:11:27,603 --> 00:11:29,814
is still very much at the early stages
292
00:11:29,814 --> 00:11:32,775
but it's technically an
idea which has potential
293
00:11:32,775 --> 00:11:35,486
and, again, scientists are
already starting to work together
294
00:11:35,486 --> 00:11:37,363
on the quantum repeaters
295
00:11:37,363 --> 00:11:40,991
and the networking bits and
blocks that we are going to need
296
00:11:40,991 --> 00:11:42,827
to create this quantum internet
297
00:11:42,827 --> 00:11:45,621
or quantum network of the future.
298
00:11:45,621 --> 00:11:47,415
"Quantum network" is not going
299
00:11:47,415 --> 00:11:50,292
to be only connecting quantum computers.
300
00:11:50,292 --> 00:11:51,627
It could also have benefits
301
00:11:51,627 --> 00:11:53,921
by connecting other kinds
of quantum technologies,
302
00:11:53,921 --> 00:11:57,133
such as quantum sensors or
quantum key distribution,
303
00:11:57,133 --> 00:12:01,512
I think the first benefit of
a large-scale quantum network
304
00:12:01,512 --> 00:12:03,681
is going to be secure
connections around the globe
305
00:12:03,681 --> 00:12:05,433
by using quantum key distribution.
306
00:12:05,433 --> 00:12:07,476
That's very much needed
307
00:12:07,476 --> 00:12:09,603
because we already know the threats
308
00:12:09,603 --> 00:12:10,896
that quantum computers bring
309
00:12:10,896 --> 00:12:12,690
to our current cryptographic systems.
310
00:12:12,690 --> 00:12:14,150
We will be able to transition
311
00:12:14,150 --> 00:12:17,278
to a much more secure
and resilient internet,
312
00:12:17,278 --> 00:12:19,029
a much more secure and resilient
313
00:12:19,029 --> 00:12:21,365
worldwide global cryptographic network.
314
00:12:21,365 --> 00:12:24,034
The second thing, we
will be able to connect
315
00:12:24,034 --> 00:12:26,245
various different quantum
sensors around the world,
316
00:12:26,245 --> 00:12:28,873
which would be able to make
much more accurate predictions
317
00:12:28,873 --> 00:12:31,667
of, let's say, environmental
conditions around the world
318
00:12:31,667 --> 00:12:33,169
or medical diagnostics.
319
00:12:33,169 --> 00:12:35,463
You know, quantum sensors are
already starting to be used
320
00:12:35,463 --> 00:12:37,673
for brain diagnostics,
321
00:12:37,673 --> 00:12:40,801
for various different kinds
of neurological conditions,
322
00:12:40,801 --> 00:12:43,345
and we will be able to upload
those data, for example,
323
00:12:43,345 --> 00:12:44,472
into quantum computers,
324
00:12:44,472 --> 00:12:46,348
again, networked around the world,
325
00:12:46,348 --> 00:12:47,433
and this provides,
326
00:12:47,433 --> 00:12:50,102
this again unlocks a massive new paradigm
327
00:12:50,102 --> 00:12:51,604
of computational power
328
00:12:51,604 --> 00:12:52,938
by networking quantum computers
329
00:12:52,938 --> 00:12:55,566
as well as quantum
sensors around the world.
330
00:12:55,566 --> 00:12:59,570
So I think as many of these
emerging technologies,
331
00:12:59,570 --> 00:13:02,198
we are able to envision
some of the benefits
332
00:13:02,198 --> 00:13:04,325
that we are going to
get from this network,
333
00:13:04,325 --> 00:13:06,118
but as with any new emerging technology,
334
00:13:06,118 --> 00:13:10,164
we might not even be able to
imagine some of the benefits
335
00:13:10,164 --> 00:13:12,500
that we will unlock along this journey.
336
00:13:12,500 --> 00:13:14,710
So it's very important
to keep experimenting.
337
00:13:14,710 --> 00:13:16,587
It's very important to be innovative.
338
00:13:16,587 --> 00:13:18,297
It's very important to keep challenging
339
00:13:18,297 --> 00:13:20,341
the current state of the art,
340
00:13:20,341 --> 00:13:21,717
and that's what we like to do
341
00:13:21,717 --> 00:13:23,260
at the National Quantum Computing Centre
342
00:13:23,260 --> 00:13:25,930
as well as working
together with the ecosystem
343
00:13:25,930 --> 00:13:29,308
to make sure that we bring
in stakeholders across the UK
344
00:13:29,308 --> 00:13:32,520
and, where appropriate, globally as well
345
00:13:32,520 --> 00:13:35,356
into that collaborative environment.
346
00:13:35,356 --> 00:13:37,942
- That's the thing that I
absolutely love about technology.
347
00:13:37,942 --> 00:13:40,861
You can take a bunch of
disparate technologies
348
00:13:40,861 --> 00:13:42,571
that don't seem to be related,
349
00:13:42,571 --> 00:13:45,241
connect them together
to create new things,
350
00:13:45,241 --> 00:13:46,617
and it seems like that's a lot
351
00:13:46,617 --> 00:13:48,035
of what you're talking about here.
352
00:13:48,035 --> 00:13:49,537
And when it comes to that connecting,
353
00:13:49,537 --> 00:13:52,706
we already have networks
powered by ones and zeros.
354
00:13:52,706 --> 00:13:55,125
How would a quantum network work?
355
00:13:55,125 --> 00:13:56,919
Is it traditional fibre optics?
356
00:13:56,919 --> 00:13:58,629
Is it quantum entanglement?
357
00:13:58,629 --> 00:14:01,048
- Very interesting question again.
358
00:14:01,048 --> 00:14:01,882
As you mentioned,
359
00:14:01,882 --> 00:14:04,426
we already have, you
know, regular computers
360
00:14:04,426 --> 00:14:05,261
which are networked,
361
00:14:05,261 --> 00:14:07,680
and regular computers work on bits,
362
00:14:07,680 --> 00:14:09,974
which are these little switches
363
00:14:09,974 --> 00:14:11,725
which can be turned on or off,
364
00:14:11,725 --> 00:14:14,937
and those states we
refer to as zero or one.
365
00:14:14,937 --> 00:14:16,730
Now, quantum computers are very different
366
00:14:16,730 --> 00:14:17,648
to regular computers.
367
00:14:17,648 --> 00:14:20,150
Instead of bits, they have qubits,
368
00:14:20,150 --> 00:14:22,528
which are quantum bits basically.
369
00:14:22,528 --> 00:14:23,529
Now, quantum bits,
370
00:14:23,529 --> 00:14:25,739
because these are quantum particles,
371
00:14:25,739 --> 00:14:28,033
fundamentally how quantum
particles behave
372
00:14:28,033 --> 00:14:31,537
and because of the quantum
property known as superposition,
373
00:14:31,537 --> 00:14:34,498
they could be both zero or one together
374
00:14:34,498 --> 00:14:36,500
unless you make a measurement.
375
00:14:36,500 --> 00:14:40,879
Now, this particular
property of superposition
376
00:14:40,879 --> 00:14:44,884
is what allows this massively
new computational power
377
00:14:44,884 --> 00:14:46,677
that quantum computing brings to us
378
00:14:46,677 --> 00:14:48,637
together with entanglement.
379
00:14:48,637 --> 00:14:50,347
Entanglement basically means
380
00:14:50,347 --> 00:14:51,432
that different quantum particles
381
00:14:51,432 --> 00:14:54,310
can be connected together in a way,
382
00:14:54,310 --> 00:14:57,146
not physically, but they can
be connected together in a way,
383
00:14:57,146 --> 00:14:58,522
entangled together in a way
384
00:14:58,522 --> 00:15:01,025
that if you change the
state of one particle,
385
00:15:01,025 --> 00:15:02,568
the state of the other particle,
386
00:15:02,568 --> 00:15:04,570
however far it is in the world,
387
00:15:04,570 --> 00:15:07,114
it is going to change instantaneously.
388
00:15:07,114 --> 00:15:09,617
Now, these very much form the backbones
389
00:15:09,617 --> 00:15:11,285
of current quantum computers.
390
00:15:11,285 --> 00:15:13,037
They will continue to form the backbones
391
00:15:13,037 --> 00:15:15,039
of the quantum networks going forward.
392
00:15:15,039 --> 00:15:16,165
Now, in order to connect
393
00:15:16,165 --> 00:15:17,791
various different quantum processors
394
00:15:17,791 --> 00:15:19,084
of the quantum network,
395
00:15:19,084 --> 00:15:21,921
which would be in the nodes
of the quantum network,
396
00:15:23,881 --> 00:15:26,926
again, this is from a quantum
communications perspective,
397
00:15:26,926 --> 00:15:30,763
we could do quantum comms
over fibre optic cables.
398
00:15:30,763 --> 00:15:32,306
We could be sending those photons
399
00:15:32,306 --> 00:15:33,641
through fibre optic cables.
400
00:15:33,641 --> 00:15:36,060
There is a distance limit
401
00:15:36,060 --> 00:15:38,646
on how far these photons can travel
402
00:15:38,646 --> 00:15:41,023
without losing their properties
403
00:15:41,023 --> 00:15:42,483
because these are very sensitive particles
404
00:15:42,483 --> 00:15:43,400
we're talking here.
405
00:15:43,400 --> 00:15:47,237
So we need specialised instruments,
406
00:15:47,237 --> 00:15:50,491
specialised things known
as quantum repeaters.
407
00:15:50,491 --> 00:15:52,326
And there has been,
again, advancements made
408
00:15:52,326 --> 00:15:53,327
in the last three years
409
00:15:53,327 --> 00:15:54,703
on the quantum repeaters,
410
00:15:54,703 --> 00:15:57,122
which are going to be
joining those networks
411
00:15:57,122 --> 00:15:58,624
and create entanglements
412
00:15:58,624 --> 00:16:02,127
at various parts of this
network to preserve it.
413
00:16:02,127 --> 00:16:06,674
Quantum communication can also
be done through free space
414
00:16:06,674 --> 00:16:09,635
by sending photons through
the free space to a satellite,
415
00:16:09,635 --> 00:16:11,720
and this is what I was doing
in my previous role actually,
416
00:16:11,720 --> 00:16:14,807
so it's very exciting for
me to talk about it as well.
417
00:16:14,807 --> 00:16:17,768
And there's multiple CubeSat
418
00:16:17,768 --> 00:16:18,644
QKD (Quantum Key Distribution)
missions
419
00:16:18,644 --> 00:16:19,812
coming up around the world
420
00:16:19,812 --> 00:16:21,522
and from the UK as well.
421
00:16:21,522 --> 00:16:23,107
So you might be able to send a photon
422
00:16:23,107 --> 00:16:26,860
from one ground station
here to a satellite.
423
00:16:26,860 --> 00:16:28,320
That satellite's going to go on and orbit
424
00:16:28,320 --> 00:16:29,905
to a different part of the world,
425
00:16:29,905 --> 00:16:33,242
send the photons down to
a different ground station
426
00:16:33,242 --> 00:16:36,453
to establish a secure feed
between the two parties
427
00:16:36,453 --> 00:16:38,372
who are trying to communicate securely.
428
00:16:38,372 --> 00:16:40,457
Now, what's going to happen here
429
00:16:40,457 --> 00:16:43,001
is that because of this quantum theorem
430
00:16:43,001 --> 00:16:45,796
known as a no-cloning theorem,
431
00:16:45,796 --> 00:16:47,256
we can't clone quantum particles,
432
00:16:47,256 --> 00:16:51,176
so anyone who's trying to
measure that secure key
433
00:16:51,176 --> 00:16:54,596
is always going to alter the
state of that quantum particle
434
00:16:54,596 --> 00:16:56,432
and we will always be alerted
435
00:16:56,432 --> 00:16:58,976
to the presence of an eavesdropper.
436
00:16:58,976 --> 00:17:02,312
So we have the option to discard that key
437
00:17:02,312 --> 00:17:04,648
and start anew again.
438
00:17:04,648 --> 00:17:06,316
That is how we're going to be pulling in
439
00:17:06,316 --> 00:17:07,693
to a quantum-secure future.
440
00:17:08,193 --> 00:17:10,404
- It sounds then, like,
the greatest challenge
441
00:17:10,404 --> 00:17:14,867
to making a global quantum
computer network function
442
00:17:14,867 --> 00:17:16,535
is actually getting the
people to work together.
443
00:17:16,535 --> 00:17:17,745
How are you doing that?
444
00:17:18,912 --> 00:17:20,456
- You've hit the nail on the head there.
445
00:17:20,456 --> 00:17:23,834
I think one of the biggest
challenges that we're facing
446
00:17:23,834 --> 00:17:26,795
is a big lack of skills and talents.
447
00:17:26,795 --> 00:17:28,547
And this often happens
448
00:17:28,547 --> 00:17:31,300
when we are looking at
technological breakthroughs
449
00:17:31,300 --> 00:17:32,718
or when we are going
through different kinds
450
00:17:32,718 --> 00:17:34,094
of industrial revolution.
451
00:17:34,094 --> 00:17:37,765
This will fall under
Industrial Revolution 4.0.
452
00:17:37,765 --> 00:17:40,392
So we actually call this the
second quantum revolution.
453
00:17:40,392 --> 00:17:41,226
We already are,
454
00:17:41,226 --> 00:17:44,146
you know, we already use quantum systems.
455
00:17:44,146 --> 00:17:46,523
We already are in quantum 1.0,
456
00:17:46,523 --> 00:17:48,817
because we use electricity everywhere.
457
00:17:48,817 --> 00:17:50,360
Electricity is powered by electrons.
458
00:17:50,360 --> 00:17:51,695
These are quantum particles.
459
00:17:51,695 --> 00:17:54,782
You know, we have LCD screens.
460
00:17:54,782 --> 00:17:56,116
We have lots of quantum...
461
00:17:56,116 --> 00:17:57,451
transistors, for example.
462
00:17:57,451 --> 00:17:59,495
All of these use quantum
mechanical properties.
463
00:17:59,495 --> 00:18:02,372
What we have managed to do in
the second quantum revolution
464
00:18:02,372 --> 00:18:05,459
is that we are able to manipulate
single quantum particles
465
00:18:05,459 --> 00:18:07,377
and we are able to use them
466
00:18:07,377 --> 00:18:11,048
for various different kinds of outcomes.
467
00:18:11,048 --> 00:18:12,257
That is the difference.
468
00:18:12,257 --> 00:18:13,092
Now, we are again,
469
00:18:13,092 --> 00:18:15,344
here, there is a specific challenge
470
00:18:15,344 --> 00:18:17,262
of training the workforce
471
00:18:17,262 --> 00:18:19,389
around using these quantum technologies,
472
00:18:19,389 --> 00:18:21,433
these quantum computing technologies,
473
00:18:21,433 --> 00:18:25,229
as well as making sure
that we can get to a point
474
00:18:25,229 --> 00:18:26,647
where everybody in the world
475
00:18:26,647 --> 00:18:28,482
is able to use quantum computers
476
00:18:28,482 --> 00:18:31,151
without using specialised
quantum knowledge.
477
00:18:31,151 --> 00:18:33,946
You shouldn't need, you
know, a PhD in quantum
478
00:18:33,946 --> 00:18:35,656
to be using using a quantum computer,
479
00:18:35,656 --> 00:18:38,200
similarly, exactly the same way
480
00:18:38,200 --> 00:18:40,869
you don't need to understand
how transistors work
481
00:18:40,869 --> 00:18:44,748
or how a regular PC works
to be able to use a PC.
482
00:18:44,748 --> 00:18:49,628
So workforce development is
really important to the NQCC
483
00:18:49,628 --> 00:18:53,382
and we do have a program
called quantum readiness
484
00:18:53,382 --> 00:18:55,759
and SparQ program, which
is a flagship program
485
00:18:55,759 --> 00:18:57,469
for end user engagement
486
00:18:57,469 --> 00:18:58,846
which we launched in 2022.
487
00:18:58,846 --> 00:19:02,474
And under that, we have developed courses,
488
00:19:02,474 --> 00:19:04,518
both for professional development
489
00:19:04,518 --> 00:19:06,436
for people looking to shift into quantum
490
00:19:06,436 --> 00:19:09,606
or upskill into quantum
within their industry
491
00:19:09,606 --> 00:19:11,775
but we are also starting to figure out
492
00:19:11,775 --> 00:19:13,652
how do we take this to schools
493
00:19:13,652 --> 00:19:17,447
and start getting quantum
education embedded within schools?
494
00:19:17,447 --> 00:19:20,117
And we do have our
quantum readiness leads
495
00:19:20,117 --> 00:19:22,077
and our outreach officers
496
00:19:22,077 --> 00:19:24,454
fully working in this particular area
497
00:19:24,454 --> 00:19:27,374
to tackle this particular
really important thing
498
00:19:27,374 --> 00:19:28,292
that needs to happen
499
00:19:28,292 --> 00:19:31,128
along with the development
of the technology.
500
00:19:31,587 --> 00:19:32,504
- When you were a little girl,
501
00:19:32,504 --> 00:19:34,798
did you ever think at
some point in the future
502
00:19:34,798 --> 00:19:37,551
you'd be working in quantum computing?
503
00:19:37,551 --> 00:19:40,387
- I actually really wanted
to work in quantum and space.
504
00:19:40,387 --> 00:19:42,222
When I was a little girl,
505
00:19:42,222 --> 00:19:44,766
we didn't actually used to
have a computer in my home.
506
00:19:44,766 --> 00:19:48,395
So my mom used to take me to
the, you know, internet cafe.
507
00:19:48,395 --> 00:19:52,316
I would print out and
cut off magazine cutouts
508
00:19:52,316 --> 00:19:53,775
as well as newspaper cutouts,
509
00:19:53,775 --> 00:19:55,235
and I still have that folder,
510
00:19:55,235 --> 00:19:57,905
of like, you know, major
discoveries in quantum
511
00:19:57,905 --> 00:20:00,282
and major discoveries about
black holes and so on.
512
00:20:00,282 --> 00:20:01,450
And this was in seventh grade
513
00:20:01,450 --> 00:20:03,410
when I was doing "pretend research".
514
00:20:03,410 --> 00:20:06,288
So, you know, who knew I
would start actually working
515
00:20:06,288 --> 00:20:07,414
in quantum or space?
516
00:20:07,414 --> 00:20:09,333
It's actually been a dream come true.
517
00:20:09,333 --> 00:20:12,044
- What excites you the
most about the power
518
00:20:12,044 --> 00:20:15,380
of networking quantum computers together?
519
00:20:15,380 --> 00:20:16,757
- I get super excited
520
00:20:16,757 --> 00:20:18,926
about the use cases of quantum computing.
521
00:20:18,926 --> 00:20:21,470
I can see that quantum
computers can be used
522
00:20:21,470 --> 00:20:23,805
for transformative
changes to the way we live
523
00:20:23,805 --> 00:20:25,849
and the way we work in the society
524
00:20:25,849 --> 00:20:27,601
as humanity collectively.
525
00:20:27,601 --> 00:20:29,061
I think some of the use cases,
526
00:20:29,061 --> 00:20:32,481
such as in energy, in healthcare,
in medicine, in space,
527
00:20:32,481 --> 00:20:35,150
are going to completely
change how we work together.
528
00:20:35,150 --> 00:20:38,195
I encourage everyone to
be a part of this journey
529
00:20:38,195 --> 00:20:40,072
by getting involved in quantum
530
00:20:40,072 --> 00:20:44,242
and bringing your unique skills
to the quantum workforce.
531
00:20:44,868 --> 00:20:46,370
- Networking quantum computers
532
00:20:46,370 --> 00:20:48,247
will secure our communications,
533
00:20:48,247 --> 00:20:50,165
help doctors save lives,
534
00:20:50,165 --> 00:20:52,334
and help us fight climate change.
535
00:20:52,334 --> 00:20:53,794
But making this vision a reality
536
00:20:53,794 --> 00:20:55,837
involves overcoming technical challenges
537
00:20:55,837 --> 00:20:57,422
like the need for quantum repeaters,
538
00:20:57,422 --> 00:20:58,757
advancements in fibre optics,
539
00:20:58,757 --> 00:21:00,676
and satellite communications.
540
00:21:00,676 --> 00:21:02,427
The true power of quantum
computing, though,
541
00:21:02,427 --> 00:21:04,429
lies in the network effect,
542
00:21:04,429 --> 00:21:06,556
where collaboration and collective efforts
543
00:21:06,556 --> 00:21:09,518
will drive the transformation
of industry and society.
544
00:21:10,102 --> 00:21:12,479
Quantum computing will help
us answer the big questions
545
00:21:12,479 --> 00:21:13,647
about our environment,
546
00:21:13,647 --> 00:21:15,107
the world inside our bodies,
547
00:21:15,107 --> 00:21:16,984
and life in outer space.
548
00:21:16,984 --> 00:21:19,403
As for the answer to life,
the universe, and everything?
549
00:21:19,403 --> 00:21:21,571
Check back in 7.5 million years.
550
00:21:21,571 --> 00:21:22,781
I'm Michael Hainsworth.
551
00:21:22,781 --> 00:21:23,532
Thanks for joining us.
00:00:00,417 --> 00:00:01,793
- In the Douglas Adams book,
2
00:00:01,793 --> 00:00:03,795
"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy,"
3
00:00:03,962 --> 00:00:06,089
an advanced race wants
the answer to
4
00:00:06,089 --> 00:00:09,009
"life, the universe, and everything".
5
00:00:09,009 --> 00:00:11,136
So they build a computer
to crunch the numbers.
6
00:00:11,136 --> 00:00:14,055
7.5 million years later,
7
00:00:14,055 --> 00:00:16,099
"Deep Thought" announces the answer...
8
00:00:16,099 --> 00:00:17,851
is 42.
9
00:00:17,851 --> 00:00:20,311
It took so long to calculate the answer
10
00:00:20,311 --> 00:00:23,106
that it forgot what the question was.
11
00:00:23,106 --> 00:00:24,816
Maybe it wouldn't have taken so long
12
00:00:24,816 --> 00:00:27,444
had the Magratheans
used a quantum computer,
13
00:00:27,444 --> 00:00:28,570
or maybe networked
14
00:00:28,570 --> 00:00:30,864
a few of those quantum computers together?
15
00:00:31,281 --> 00:00:34,784
Meet Sonali Mohapatra, the
Quantum Innovation Sector Lead
16
00:00:34,784 --> 00:00:38,580
at the National Quantum Computing
Centre in Oxford, England.
17
00:00:38,663 --> 00:00:39,998
- I get super excited
18
00:00:39,998 --> 00:00:42,208
about the use cases of quantum computing.
19
00:00:42,208 --> 00:00:44,711
I can see that quantum
computers can be used
20
00:00:44,711 --> 00:00:47,046
for transformative
changes to the way we live
21
00:00:47,046 --> 00:00:50,592
and the way we work in the
society, as humanity collective.
22
00:00:50,592 --> 00:00:52,761
- Mohapatra is a trained physicist,
23
00:00:52,761 --> 00:00:54,387
experienced quantum researcher,
24
00:00:54,387 --> 00:00:56,222
and innovation strategist.
25
00:00:56,222 --> 00:00:58,933
At the NQCC, she's tackling the challenge
26
00:00:58,933 --> 00:01:01,144
of scaling quantum computing
27
00:01:01,144 --> 00:01:03,396
and its practical adoption.
28
00:01:03,396 --> 00:01:06,357
If scientists think quantum
computers are powerful today,
29
00:01:06,357 --> 00:01:07,859
what happens when we start
30
00:01:07,859 --> 00:01:10,445
networking them together tomorrow?
31
00:01:10,445 --> 00:01:12,822
The answer to that
question isn't 42, is it?
32
00:01:14,032 --> 00:01:17,243
- Well, that remains to be
seen, doesn't it, Michael?
33
00:01:21,456 --> 00:01:24,000
- Explain what the National
Quantum Computing Centre does
34
00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:27,003
like you're explaining it to your parents.
35
00:01:27,003 --> 00:01:29,380
- Well, the National
Quantum Computing Centre
36
00:01:29,380 --> 00:01:32,509
is the UK's national lab
for quantum computing.
37
00:01:32,509 --> 00:01:36,179
We tackle the challenge of
scaling quantum computers.
38
00:01:36,179 --> 00:01:37,305
You might have already heard
39
00:01:37,305 --> 00:01:39,474
that there are some
small-scale quantum computers
40
00:01:39,474 --> 00:01:41,935
getting online in cloud,
everywhere in the world.
41
00:01:41,935 --> 00:01:44,020
At the moment, multiple
companies are coming up
42
00:01:44,020 --> 00:01:46,231
with their own versions
of quantum computers.
43
00:01:46,231 --> 00:01:48,274
But how do we make these quantum computers
44
00:01:48,274 --> 00:01:49,609
bigger and better
45
00:01:49,609 --> 00:01:53,822
and something that
different people in society
46
00:01:53,822 --> 00:01:56,199
and different industries
will be able to use?
47
00:01:56,199 --> 00:01:58,159
This is the challenge that we are tackling
48
00:01:58,159 --> 00:02:00,537
at the National Quantum
Computing Centre in the UK.
49
00:02:00,537 --> 00:02:02,288
We're tackling specifically the challenge
50
00:02:02,288 --> 00:02:04,207
of scaling these quantum computers,
51
00:02:04,207 --> 00:02:05,792
and making sure that quantum computers
52
00:02:05,792 --> 00:02:08,419
can be adopted by society
53
00:02:08,419 --> 00:02:11,506
and getting the society quantum ready.
54
00:02:11,506 --> 00:02:12,549
- Tell me about that adoption,
55
00:02:12,549 --> 00:02:14,676
because quantum computers won't be used
56
00:02:14,676 --> 00:02:16,594
like regular computers.
57
00:02:16,594 --> 00:02:17,679
- You're absolutely correct there.
58
00:02:17,679 --> 00:02:20,348
Quantum computers are a very
different kind of computers
59
00:02:20,348 --> 00:02:22,892
to the regular computers
that we use today.
60
00:02:22,892 --> 00:02:26,396
They are specifically going to be better
61
00:02:26,396 --> 00:02:28,147
at certain types of problems.
62
00:02:28,147 --> 00:02:29,149
These types of problems
63
00:02:29,149 --> 00:02:31,985
could be simulation-specific problems,
64
00:02:31,985 --> 00:02:35,113
such as simulating things
which are like nature,
65
00:02:35,113 --> 00:02:37,782
so potentially molecules
that exist in nature,
66
00:02:37,782 --> 00:02:39,450
because these are quantum systems.
67
00:02:39,450 --> 00:02:41,703
At the moment, we have
many approximate methods
68
00:02:41,703 --> 00:02:43,329
to be simulating those molecules.
69
00:02:43,329 --> 00:02:45,290
But if we have quantum computers,
70
00:02:45,290 --> 00:02:48,418
we would be able to
simulate real molecules
71
00:02:48,418 --> 00:02:49,878
to the exact details.
72
00:02:49,878 --> 00:02:54,340
This would unlock opportunities
73
00:02:54,340 --> 00:02:58,761
to simulate bigger and
better drugs, drug molecules,
74
00:02:58,761 --> 00:03:00,638
leading to advancements in medicine.
75
00:03:00,638 --> 00:03:04,267
We might be able to discover
new ways of capturing carbon.
76
00:03:04,267 --> 00:03:07,437
We would be able to discover
new materials, for example,
77
00:03:07,437 --> 00:03:09,314
which could be used everywhere,
78
00:03:09,314 --> 00:03:12,025
starting from batteries to space travel.
79
00:03:13,067 --> 00:03:16,404
Quantum computers are also
really good at cryptography.
80
00:03:16,404 --> 00:03:17,989
You know, they would be used
81
00:03:17,989 --> 00:03:21,200
to find bigger and better
cryptographic systems
82
00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:22,201
of the future.
83
00:03:22,201 --> 00:03:24,495
You might have also heard
that they are also a threat
84
00:03:24,495 --> 00:03:25,955
to our current cryptographic systems,
85
00:03:25,955 --> 00:03:28,166
and there are scientists around the world
86
00:03:28,166 --> 00:03:30,460
looking at how we can
use quantum computers
87
00:03:30,460 --> 00:03:34,255
to actually make more
resilient cryptographic systems
88
00:03:34,255 --> 00:03:35,298
of the future.
89
00:03:35,298 --> 00:03:37,050
Quantum computers are also
going to be really good
90
00:03:37,050 --> 00:03:39,093
at complex optimization problems,
91
00:03:39,093 --> 00:03:40,720
So, for example, weather modelling
92
00:03:40,720 --> 00:03:42,138
or climate change modelling,
93
00:03:42,138 --> 00:03:43,848
or looking at, for example, predicting
94
00:03:43,848 --> 00:03:45,850
when the next solar
flares and solar storms
95
00:03:45,850 --> 00:03:46,851
are going to happen
96
00:03:46,851 --> 00:03:48,394
and making sure that our power grids
97
00:03:48,394 --> 00:03:49,729
are not going to be affected.
98
00:03:49,729 --> 00:03:52,482
So these are just some examples
of the type of problems
99
00:03:52,482 --> 00:03:54,067
that we're going to be tackling
100
00:03:54,067 --> 00:03:57,153
with the quantum computers of the future.
101
00:03:57,153 --> 00:03:58,446
- How far away is that future?
102
00:03:58,446 --> 00:04:00,698
Where are we on that journey
to quantum computing?
103
00:04:00,698 --> 00:04:01,991
- People in various different industries
104
00:04:01,991 --> 00:04:03,868
are actively researching,
105
00:04:03,868 --> 00:04:06,704
using those early stage
quantum computing platforms.
106
00:04:06,704 --> 00:04:09,707
However, in order to
actually come to a point
107
00:04:09,707 --> 00:04:11,584
which we call "quantum advantage",
108
00:04:11,584 --> 00:04:12,460
where quantum computers
109
00:04:12,460 --> 00:04:15,546
are going to be capable
of solving problems
110
00:04:15,546 --> 00:04:16,673
which a current classical
111
00:04:16,673 --> 00:04:18,716
supercomputing cluster, for example,
112
00:04:18,716 --> 00:04:20,551
would not be able to solve today,
113
00:04:20,551 --> 00:04:22,095
so, you know, interesting problems
114
00:04:22,095 --> 00:04:26,266
that we are unable to solve
by using current resources,
115
00:04:26,266 --> 00:04:29,435
we are still quite a few
years, you know, away
116
00:04:29,435 --> 00:04:31,020
from that particular dream.
117
00:04:31,020 --> 00:04:33,731
However, there's a lot
of research going into
118
00:04:33,731 --> 00:04:36,484
tackling the problems
that we need to solve
119
00:04:36,484 --> 00:04:39,362
before we can come to that
future in the next 10 years.
120
00:04:39,362 --> 00:04:42,365
These could be, you know,
error correction, for example.
121
00:04:42,365 --> 00:04:45,034
Quantum systems are very, very,
122
00:04:45,034 --> 00:04:46,536
they are very sensitive
123
00:04:46,536 --> 00:04:49,330
because these are very tiny
particles, quantum particles.
124
00:04:49,330 --> 00:04:52,500
So let's say a single
light particle or a photon
125
00:04:52,500 --> 00:04:53,584
which we are trying to trap
126
00:04:53,584 --> 00:04:55,420
or a single ion which
we are trying to trap
127
00:04:55,420 --> 00:04:58,298
and then connect to multiple
other light particles or ions
128
00:04:58,298 --> 00:05:00,967
and then we are trying to stabilise them,
129
00:05:00,967 --> 00:05:03,553
you know, in that environmental condition.
130
00:05:03,553 --> 00:05:06,848
These produce a lot of noise, for example,
131
00:05:06,848 --> 00:05:08,725
so we need to correct that noise
132
00:05:08,725 --> 00:05:11,978
and errors that, you know, are
interacting with each other
133
00:05:11,978 --> 00:05:13,146
or with various different kinds
134
00:05:13,146 --> 00:05:15,231
of environmental conditions could produce.
135
00:05:15,231 --> 00:05:17,650
That's one type of research stream
136
00:05:17,650 --> 00:05:20,528
that scientists are
tackling at the moment.
137
00:05:20,528 --> 00:05:22,780
We also need better quantum algorithms,
138
00:05:22,780 --> 00:05:24,907
we also need better quantum hardware,
139
00:05:24,907 --> 00:05:26,034
and we also need to understand
140
00:05:26,034 --> 00:05:29,704
how we can actually
practically put together
141
00:05:29,704 --> 00:05:31,914
many different types of
quantum processes and chips
142
00:05:31,914 --> 00:05:34,917
and build much larger
quantum computing systems
143
00:05:34,917 --> 00:05:38,671
which would be able to
tackle practical problems
144
00:05:38,671 --> 00:05:41,341
and not just small-scale toy problems.
145
00:05:41,799 --> 00:05:43,593
- So unlike regular computers,
146
00:05:43,593 --> 00:05:47,138
quantum computers excel in
solving very specific problems
147
00:05:47,138 --> 00:05:50,558
that require an enormous
amount of data all at once,
148
00:05:50,558 --> 00:05:54,020
like simulating molecules
in drug discovery,
149
00:05:54,020 --> 00:05:55,855
optimising power grids,
150
00:05:55,855 --> 00:05:58,900
and predicting climate change.
151
00:05:58,900 --> 00:06:01,694
As research progresses
over the next decade,
152
00:06:01,694 --> 00:06:03,112
advancements will pave the way
153
00:06:03,112 --> 00:06:06,908
for practical large-scale
quantum computing systems
154
00:06:06,908 --> 00:06:11,120
capable of answering today's
unsolvable questions.
155
00:06:11,120 --> 00:06:13,039
Well, maybe not about life.
156
00:06:13,081 --> 00:06:14,165
When it comes to use cases,
157
00:06:14,165 --> 00:06:17,460
the primary one that I hear
a lot about is security.
158
00:06:17,460 --> 00:06:19,962
What will quantum computing
bring to businesses
159
00:06:19,962 --> 00:06:21,506
that we don't already have?
160
00:06:21,506 --> 00:06:24,675
What does quantum do for enterprise?
161
00:06:24,675 --> 00:06:28,387
- Quantum can have a lot of
advantages for enterprises.
162
00:06:28,387 --> 00:06:30,014
Enterprises, for example, have a lot
163
00:06:30,014 --> 00:06:31,474
of optimization programs.
164
00:06:31,474 --> 00:06:33,518
It can provide advantages
165
00:06:33,518 --> 00:06:36,062
in, for example, supply
chain optimization.
166
00:06:36,062 --> 00:06:37,396
It can provide advantages
167
00:06:37,396 --> 00:06:40,316
to financial services
industry, for example,
168
00:06:40,316 --> 00:06:42,151
in optimising their portfolios.
169
00:06:42,151 --> 00:06:46,447
It can also provide
advantages around security
170
00:06:46,447 --> 00:06:47,740
by making sure that we are transitioning
171
00:06:47,740 --> 00:06:49,617
into a future which is,
172
00:06:49,617 --> 00:06:52,370
into a cryptographic future
which is quantum safe.
173
00:06:52,370 --> 00:06:54,664
And regulators such as the
FSA (Financial Services Authority)
174
00:06:54,664 --> 00:06:56,958
are already trying to work with us,
175
00:06:56,958 --> 00:06:58,084
the Quantum Computing Centre,
176
00:06:58,084 --> 00:07:00,420
as well as, you know,
the hubs around the UK,
177
00:07:00,420 --> 00:07:02,463
such as the Quantum
Computing & Simulation Hub,
178
00:07:02,463 --> 00:07:04,757
as well as banks around the world
179
00:07:04,757 --> 00:07:05,591
and regulators around the world
180
00:07:05,591 --> 00:07:08,636
trying to understand how
we can go into that future.
181
00:07:09,971 --> 00:07:13,141
Other industries, such
as the medicine industry,
182
00:07:13,141 --> 00:07:16,352
will be able to use quantum
computers, for example,
183
00:07:16,352 --> 00:07:19,355
to solve challenging
optimization problems,
184
00:07:19,355 --> 00:07:22,775
such as theatre allocation
or bed allocation
185
00:07:22,775 --> 00:07:25,653
or optimization of nurse rotas.
186
00:07:25,653 --> 00:07:27,405
And these are practical challenges
187
00:07:27,405 --> 00:07:30,074
that we are facing today in the world.
188
00:07:30,074 --> 00:07:31,659
Other interesting use cases
189
00:07:31,659 --> 00:07:33,911
could be developing precision medicine
190
00:07:33,911 --> 00:07:37,415
which are tailored to your physical system
191
00:07:37,415 --> 00:07:41,252
and not just, you know, made for all,
192
00:07:41,252 --> 00:07:43,838
approximate medicine that
we are used to today.
193
00:07:43,838 --> 00:07:47,049
So we will be able to simulate
reactivity predictions
194
00:07:47,049 --> 00:07:49,594
for how does this particular drug react
195
00:07:49,594 --> 00:07:52,054
with a particular, you know, subsystem
196
00:07:52,054 --> 00:07:54,390
of a particular organ
or a particular molecule
197
00:07:54,390 --> 00:07:56,434
in somebody's body.
198
00:07:56,434 --> 00:07:58,144
And these are challenging problems
199
00:07:58,144 --> 00:08:00,396
that we need to be tackling,
200
00:08:00,396 --> 00:08:01,856
we need to be preparing for,
201
00:08:01,856 --> 00:08:03,941
if we want to have the solutions ready
202
00:08:03,941 --> 00:08:05,651
in the next 5 to 10 years.
203
00:08:05,651 --> 00:08:07,236
There's also interesting use cases
204
00:08:07,236 --> 00:08:10,031
in the aerospace sector,
in the space sector,
205
00:08:10,031 --> 00:08:12,033
that people are already tackling,
206
00:08:12,033 --> 00:08:13,034
and in the energy space.
207
00:08:13,034 --> 00:08:15,912
So we can look at how to
optimise our energy grids.
208
00:08:15,912 --> 00:08:19,749
We can also look at optimising
energy uses in our houses.
209
00:08:19,749 --> 00:08:20,583
So how do we make sure
210
00:08:20,583 --> 00:08:22,543
that we are minimising our energy uses?
211
00:08:22,543 --> 00:08:24,921
And this is a very topical use case
212
00:08:24,921 --> 00:08:26,631
because of the current energy prices
213
00:08:26,631 --> 00:08:28,382
that we are all facing as well.
214
00:08:28,507 --> 00:08:31,511
- Advances in battery
development and carbon capture
215
00:08:31,511 --> 00:08:34,555
are critical for
addressing climate change.
216
00:08:34,555 --> 00:08:37,308
Quantum computers offer significant
benefits for enterprise,
217
00:08:37,308 --> 00:08:39,936
especially in optimization and security.
218
00:08:39,936 --> 00:08:42,104
Industries like financial
services can use it
219
00:08:42,104 --> 00:08:43,439
to optimise portfolios,
220
00:08:43,439 --> 00:08:45,900
while healthcare can streamline tasks
221
00:08:45,900 --> 00:08:48,319
like theatre and bed allocation.
222
00:08:48,319 --> 00:08:51,447
And the NQCC's hackathons have suggested
223
00:08:51,447 --> 00:08:53,574
new exciting use cases.
224
00:08:53,574 --> 00:08:56,118
Many of them will save lives.
225
00:08:56,535 --> 00:08:58,204
I love hackathons 'cause you never know
226
00:08:58,204 --> 00:09:00,748
what you're going to
get out of one of them
227
00:09:00,748 --> 00:09:02,375
when you host one.
228
00:09:02,375 --> 00:09:04,418
What are some of your favourite use cases
229
00:09:04,418 --> 00:09:05,628
for quantum computing
230
00:09:05,628 --> 00:09:08,548
that have come out of the
NQCC's funded projects?
231
00:09:08,548 --> 00:09:11,133
So these are very
interesting opportunities
232
00:09:11,133 --> 00:09:12,969
for people to get involved in
233
00:09:12,969 --> 00:09:16,639
and actually get very hands-on usage,
234
00:09:16,639 --> 00:09:18,683
directly start to get,
you know, hands dirty
235
00:09:18,683 --> 00:09:20,351
with using quantum computers
236
00:09:20,351 --> 00:09:23,020
and get mentored by some of
the leading industry experts
237
00:09:23,020 --> 00:09:24,188
in quantum computing
238
00:09:24,188 --> 00:09:25,940
who work with the NQCC
239
00:09:25,940 --> 00:09:28,901
and provide this kind of
mentorship during the hackathons.
240
00:09:28,901 --> 00:09:30,570
Some of my favourite use cases
241
00:09:30,570 --> 00:09:33,656
from some of the projects
that we have funded
242
00:09:33,656 --> 00:09:38,327
are around NHS optimization,
243
00:09:38,327 --> 00:09:41,581
NHS bed allocation, theatre
optimising, for example,
244
00:09:41,581 --> 00:09:44,333
where one of the companies
that we have partnered with
245
00:09:44,333 --> 00:09:45,751
known as Applied Quantum Computing
246
00:09:45,751 --> 00:09:49,672
has partnered with NHS partners
as well in the background
247
00:09:49,672 --> 00:09:50,506
and they're looking
248
00:09:50,506 --> 00:09:53,384
at this particular optimization use case.
249
00:09:53,384 --> 00:09:54,635
There's other use cases
250
00:09:54,635 --> 00:09:57,138
where a particular company
is, again, looking at
251
00:09:57,138 --> 00:09:59,056
how they can tackle the challenge
252
00:09:59,056 --> 00:10:02,768
of loading containers on an aircraft
253
00:10:02,768 --> 00:10:05,146
and optimising the
loading of this container
254
00:10:05,146 --> 00:10:08,524
so they can minimise the carbon emissions,
255
00:10:08,524 --> 00:10:10,568
they can maximise fuel efficiency.
256
00:10:10,568 --> 00:10:12,820
Did you know that the fuel
efficiency of an aircraft
257
00:10:12,820 --> 00:10:15,698
actually depends on how
containers are loaded
258
00:10:15,698 --> 00:10:18,075
around the centre of
gravity of the aircraft?
259
00:10:18,075 --> 00:10:19,744
So, you know, it's an exciting job.
260
00:10:19,744 --> 00:10:21,454
You find out new things every day
261
00:10:21,454 --> 00:10:23,205
and then you use this information
262
00:10:23,205 --> 00:10:24,832
to make sure that we're going towards
263
00:10:24,832 --> 00:10:27,335
a better future for humanity
264
00:10:27,335 --> 00:10:30,296
and, you know, how do we
provide this advantage
265
00:10:30,296 --> 00:10:33,341
to societal and, you know, human benefit?
266
00:10:33,341 --> 00:10:35,176
So those are some of
my favourite use cases.
267
00:10:35,176 --> 00:10:37,053
We are expecting to see,
268
00:10:37,053 --> 00:10:38,888
starting to see more and more use cases
269
00:10:38,888 --> 00:10:41,390
around better battery development.
270
00:10:41,390 --> 00:10:42,600
I think this is going to be some
271
00:10:42,600 --> 00:10:45,102
of the, you know, very exciting use cases
272
00:10:45,102 --> 00:10:47,813
being developed further and further
273
00:10:47,813 --> 00:10:49,065
in the upcoming years.
274
00:10:49,065 --> 00:10:50,733
We are also starting to see use cases
275
00:10:50,733 --> 00:10:55,571
around, let's say,
discovery of new materials
276
00:10:55,571 --> 00:10:56,864
around carbon capture.
277
00:10:56,864 --> 00:10:58,157
And I'm really happy about that
278
00:10:58,157 --> 00:11:00,034
because we very much know
279
00:11:00,034 --> 00:11:01,577
we are seeing extreme weather conditions
280
00:11:01,577 --> 00:11:02,995
everywhere in the world,
281
00:11:02,995 --> 00:11:04,080
that climate change is going to be one
282
00:11:04,080 --> 00:11:05,081
of the biggest problems
283
00:11:05,081 --> 00:11:07,208
we are going to tackle going forward
284
00:11:08,292 --> 00:11:11,295
together as humanity, collectively.
285
00:11:11,295 --> 00:11:14,340
- We saw the exponential
potential of traditional computers
286
00:11:14,340 --> 00:11:15,841
once we networked them together
287
00:11:15,841 --> 00:11:16,967
and called it "the cloud".
288
00:11:16,967 --> 00:11:21,097
What happens when we network
quantum computers together?
289
00:11:22,181 --> 00:11:24,809
- That's a very interesting question.
290
00:11:24,809 --> 00:11:27,603
The idea of networking
quantum computers together
291
00:11:27,603 --> 00:11:29,814
is still very much at the early stages
292
00:11:29,814 --> 00:11:32,775
but it's technically an
idea which has potential
293
00:11:32,775 --> 00:11:35,486
and, again, scientists are
already starting to work together
294
00:11:35,486 --> 00:11:37,363
on the quantum repeaters
295
00:11:37,363 --> 00:11:40,991
and the networking bits and
blocks that we are going to need
296
00:11:40,991 --> 00:11:42,827
to create this quantum internet
297
00:11:42,827 --> 00:11:45,621
or quantum network of the future.
298
00:11:45,621 --> 00:11:47,415
"Quantum network" is not going
299
00:11:47,415 --> 00:11:50,292
to be only connecting quantum computers.
300
00:11:50,292 --> 00:11:51,627
It could also have benefits
301
00:11:51,627 --> 00:11:53,921
by connecting other kinds
of quantum technologies,
302
00:11:53,921 --> 00:11:57,133
such as quantum sensors or
quantum key distribution,
303
00:11:57,133 --> 00:12:01,512
I think the first benefit of
a large-scale quantum network
304
00:12:01,512 --> 00:12:03,681
is going to be secure
connections around the globe
305
00:12:03,681 --> 00:12:05,433
by using quantum key distribution.
306
00:12:05,433 --> 00:12:07,476
That's very much needed
307
00:12:07,476 --> 00:12:09,603
because we already know the threats
308
00:12:09,603 --> 00:12:10,896
that quantum computers bring
309
00:12:10,896 --> 00:12:12,690
to our current cryptographic systems.
310
00:12:12,690 --> 00:12:14,150
We will be able to transition
311
00:12:14,150 --> 00:12:17,278
to a much more secure
and resilient internet,
312
00:12:17,278 --> 00:12:19,029
a much more secure and resilient
313
00:12:19,029 --> 00:12:21,365
worldwide global cryptographic network.
314
00:12:21,365 --> 00:12:24,034
The second thing, we
will be able to connect
315
00:12:24,034 --> 00:12:26,245
various different quantum
sensors around the world,
316
00:12:26,245 --> 00:12:28,873
which would be able to make
much more accurate predictions
317
00:12:28,873 --> 00:12:31,667
of, let's say, environmental
conditions around the world
318
00:12:31,667 --> 00:12:33,169
or medical diagnostics.
319
00:12:33,169 --> 00:12:35,463
You know, quantum sensors are
already starting to be used
320
00:12:35,463 --> 00:12:37,673
for brain diagnostics,
321
00:12:37,673 --> 00:12:40,801
for various different kinds
of neurological conditions,
322
00:12:40,801 --> 00:12:43,345
and we will be able to upload
those data, for example,
323
00:12:43,345 --> 00:12:44,472
into quantum computers,
324
00:12:44,472 --> 00:12:46,348
again, networked around the world,
325
00:12:46,348 --> 00:12:47,433
and this provides,
326
00:12:47,433 --> 00:12:50,102
this again unlocks a massive new paradigm
327
00:12:50,102 --> 00:12:51,604
of computational power
328
00:12:51,604 --> 00:12:52,938
by networking quantum computers
329
00:12:52,938 --> 00:12:55,566
as well as quantum
sensors around the world.
330
00:12:55,566 --> 00:12:59,570
So I think as many of these
emerging technologies,
331
00:12:59,570 --> 00:13:02,198
we are able to envision
some of the benefits
332
00:13:02,198 --> 00:13:04,325
that we are going to
get from this network,
333
00:13:04,325 --> 00:13:06,118
but as with any new emerging technology,
334
00:13:06,118 --> 00:13:10,164
we might not even be able to
imagine some of the benefits
335
00:13:10,164 --> 00:13:12,500
that we will unlock along this journey.
336
00:13:12,500 --> 00:13:14,710
So it's very important
to keep experimenting.
337
00:13:14,710 --> 00:13:16,587
It's very important to be innovative.
338
00:13:16,587 --> 00:13:18,297
It's very important to keep challenging
339
00:13:18,297 --> 00:13:20,341
the current state of the art,
340
00:13:20,341 --> 00:13:21,717
and that's what we like to do
341
00:13:21,717 --> 00:13:23,260
at the National Quantum Computing Centre
342
00:13:23,260 --> 00:13:25,930
as well as working
together with the ecosystem
343
00:13:25,930 --> 00:13:29,308
to make sure that we bring
in stakeholders across the UK
344
00:13:29,308 --> 00:13:32,520
and, where appropriate, globally as well
345
00:13:32,520 --> 00:13:35,356
into that collaborative environment.
346
00:13:35,356 --> 00:13:37,942
- That's the thing that I
absolutely love about technology.
347
00:13:37,942 --> 00:13:40,861
You can take a bunch of
disparate technologies
348
00:13:40,861 --> 00:13:42,571
that don't seem to be related,
349
00:13:42,571 --> 00:13:45,241
connect them together
to create new things,
350
00:13:45,241 --> 00:13:46,617
and it seems like that's a lot
351
00:13:46,617 --> 00:13:48,035
of what you're talking about here.
352
00:13:48,035 --> 00:13:49,537
And when it comes to that connecting,
353
00:13:49,537 --> 00:13:52,706
we already have networks
powered by ones and zeros.
354
00:13:52,706 --> 00:13:55,125
How would a quantum network work?
355
00:13:55,125 --> 00:13:56,919
Is it traditional fibre optics?
356
00:13:56,919 --> 00:13:58,629
Is it quantum entanglement?
357
00:13:58,629 --> 00:14:01,048
- Very interesting question again.
358
00:14:01,048 --> 00:14:01,882
As you mentioned,
359
00:14:01,882 --> 00:14:04,426
we already have, you
know, regular computers
360
00:14:04,426 --> 00:14:05,261
which are networked,
361
00:14:05,261 --> 00:14:07,680
and regular computers work on bits,
362
00:14:07,680 --> 00:14:09,974
which are these little switches
363
00:14:09,974 --> 00:14:11,725
which can be turned on or off,
364
00:14:11,725 --> 00:14:14,937
and those states we
refer to as zero or one.
365
00:14:14,937 --> 00:14:16,730
Now, quantum computers are very different
366
00:14:16,730 --> 00:14:17,648
to regular computers.
367
00:14:17,648 --> 00:14:20,150
Instead of bits, they have qubits,
368
00:14:20,150 --> 00:14:22,528
which are quantum bits basically.
369
00:14:22,528 --> 00:14:23,529
Now, quantum bits,
370
00:14:23,529 --> 00:14:25,739
because these are quantum particles,
371
00:14:25,739 --> 00:14:28,033
fundamentally how quantum
particles behave
372
00:14:28,033 --> 00:14:31,537
and because of the quantum
property known as superposition,
373
00:14:31,537 --> 00:14:34,498
they could be both zero or one together
374
00:14:34,498 --> 00:14:36,500
unless you make a measurement.
375
00:14:36,500 --> 00:14:40,879
Now, this particular
property of superposition
376
00:14:40,879 --> 00:14:44,884
is what allows this massively
new computational power
377
00:14:44,884 --> 00:14:46,677
that quantum computing brings to us
378
00:14:46,677 --> 00:14:48,637
together with entanglement.
379
00:14:48,637 --> 00:14:50,347
Entanglement basically means
380
00:14:50,347 --> 00:14:51,432
that different quantum particles
381
00:14:51,432 --> 00:14:54,310
can be connected together in a way,
382
00:14:54,310 --> 00:14:57,146
not physically, but they can
be connected together in a way,
383
00:14:57,146 --> 00:14:58,522
entangled together in a way
384
00:14:58,522 --> 00:15:01,025
that if you change the
state of one particle,
385
00:15:01,025 --> 00:15:02,568
the state of the other particle,
386
00:15:02,568 --> 00:15:04,570
however far it is in the world,
387
00:15:04,570 --> 00:15:07,114
it is going to change instantaneously.
388
00:15:07,114 --> 00:15:09,617
Now, these very much form the backbones
389
00:15:09,617 --> 00:15:11,285
of current quantum computers.
390
00:15:11,285 --> 00:15:13,037
They will continue to form the backbones
391
00:15:13,037 --> 00:15:15,039
of the quantum networks going forward.
392
00:15:15,039 --> 00:15:16,165
Now, in order to connect
393
00:15:16,165 --> 00:15:17,791
various different quantum processors
394
00:15:17,791 --> 00:15:19,084
of the quantum network,
395
00:15:19,084 --> 00:15:21,921
which would be in the nodes
of the quantum network,
396
00:15:23,881 --> 00:15:26,926
again, this is from a quantum
communications perspective,
397
00:15:26,926 --> 00:15:30,763
we could do quantum comms
over fibre optic cables.
398
00:15:30,763 --> 00:15:32,306
We could be sending those photons
399
00:15:32,306 --> 00:15:33,641
through fibre optic cables.
400
00:15:33,641 --> 00:15:36,060
There is a distance limit
401
00:15:36,060 --> 00:15:38,646
on how far these photons can travel
402
00:15:38,646 --> 00:15:41,023
without losing their properties
403
00:15:41,023 --> 00:15:42,483
because these are very sensitive particles
404
00:15:42,483 --> 00:15:43,400
we're talking here.
405
00:15:43,400 --> 00:15:47,237
So we need specialised instruments,
406
00:15:47,237 --> 00:15:50,491
specialised things known
as quantum repeaters.
407
00:15:50,491 --> 00:15:52,326
And there has been,
again, advancements made
408
00:15:52,326 --> 00:15:53,327
in the last three years
409
00:15:53,327 --> 00:15:54,703
on the quantum repeaters,
410
00:15:54,703 --> 00:15:57,122
which are going to be
joining those networks
411
00:15:57,122 --> 00:15:58,624
and create entanglements
412
00:15:58,624 --> 00:16:02,127
at various parts of this
network to preserve it.
413
00:16:02,127 --> 00:16:06,674
Quantum communication can also
be done through free space
414
00:16:06,674 --> 00:16:09,635
by sending photons through
the free space to a satellite,
415
00:16:09,635 --> 00:16:11,720
and this is what I was doing
in my previous role actually,
416
00:16:11,720 --> 00:16:14,807
so it's very exciting for
me to talk about it as well.
417
00:16:14,807 --> 00:16:17,768
And there's multiple CubeSat
418
00:16:17,768 --> 00:16:18,644
QKD (Quantum Key Distribution)
missions
419
00:16:18,644 --> 00:16:19,812
coming up around the world
420
00:16:19,812 --> 00:16:21,522
and from the UK as well.
421
00:16:21,522 --> 00:16:23,107
So you might be able to send a photon
422
00:16:23,107 --> 00:16:26,860
from one ground station
here to a satellite.
423
00:16:26,860 --> 00:16:28,320
That satellite's going to go on and orbit
424
00:16:28,320 --> 00:16:29,905
to a different part of the world,
425
00:16:29,905 --> 00:16:33,242
send the photons down to
a different ground station
426
00:16:33,242 --> 00:16:36,453
to establish a secure feed
between the two parties
427
00:16:36,453 --> 00:16:38,372
who are trying to communicate securely.
428
00:16:38,372 --> 00:16:40,457
Now, what's going to happen here
429
00:16:40,457 --> 00:16:43,001
is that because of this quantum theorem
430
00:16:43,001 --> 00:16:45,796
known as a no-cloning theorem,
431
00:16:45,796 --> 00:16:47,256
we can't clone quantum particles,
432
00:16:47,256 --> 00:16:51,176
so anyone who's trying to
measure that secure key
433
00:16:51,176 --> 00:16:54,596
is always going to alter the
state of that quantum particle
434
00:16:54,596 --> 00:16:56,432
and we will always be alerted
435
00:16:56,432 --> 00:16:58,976
to the presence of an eavesdropper.
436
00:16:58,976 --> 00:17:02,312
So we have the option to discard that key
437
00:17:02,312 --> 00:17:04,648
and start anew again.
438
00:17:04,648 --> 00:17:06,316
That is how we're going to be pulling in
439
00:17:06,316 --> 00:17:07,693
to a quantum-secure future.
440
00:17:08,193 --> 00:17:10,404
- It sounds then, like,
the greatest challenge
441
00:17:10,404 --> 00:17:14,867
to making a global quantum
computer network function
442
00:17:14,867 --> 00:17:16,535
is actually getting the
people to work together.
443
00:17:16,535 --> 00:17:17,745
How are you doing that?
444
00:17:18,912 --> 00:17:20,456
- You've hit the nail on the head there.
445
00:17:20,456 --> 00:17:23,834
I think one of the biggest
challenges that we're facing
446
00:17:23,834 --> 00:17:26,795
is a big lack of skills and talents.
447
00:17:26,795 --> 00:17:28,547
And this often happens
448
00:17:28,547 --> 00:17:31,300
when we are looking at
technological breakthroughs
449
00:17:31,300 --> 00:17:32,718
or when we are going
through different kinds
450
00:17:32,718 --> 00:17:34,094
of industrial revolution.
451
00:17:34,094 --> 00:17:37,765
This will fall under
Industrial Revolution 4.0.
452
00:17:37,765 --> 00:17:40,392
So we actually call this the
second quantum revolution.
453
00:17:40,392 --> 00:17:41,226
We already are,
454
00:17:41,226 --> 00:17:44,146
you know, we already use quantum systems.
455
00:17:44,146 --> 00:17:46,523
We already are in quantum 1.0,
456
00:17:46,523 --> 00:17:48,817
because we use electricity everywhere.
457
00:17:48,817 --> 00:17:50,360
Electricity is powered by electrons.
458
00:17:50,360 --> 00:17:51,695
These are quantum particles.
459
00:17:51,695 --> 00:17:54,782
You know, we have LCD screens.
460
00:17:54,782 --> 00:17:56,116
We have lots of quantum...
461
00:17:56,116 --> 00:17:57,451
transistors, for example.
462
00:17:57,451 --> 00:17:59,495
All of these use quantum
mechanical properties.
463
00:17:59,495 --> 00:18:02,372
What we have managed to do in
the second quantum revolution
464
00:18:02,372 --> 00:18:05,459
is that we are able to manipulate
single quantum particles
465
00:18:05,459 --> 00:18:07,377
and we are able to use them
466
00:18:07,377 --> 00:18:11,048
for various different kinds of outcomes.
467
00:18:11,048 --> 00:18:12,257
That is the difference.
468
00:18:12,257 --> 00:18:13,092
Now, we are again,
469
00:18:13,092 --> 00:18:15,344
here, there is a specific challenge
470
00:18:15,344 --> 00:18:17,262
of training the workforce
471
00:18:17,262 --> 00:18:19,389
around using these quantum technologies,
472
00:18:19,389 --> 00:18:21,433
these quantum computing technologies,
473
00:18:21,433 --> 00:18:25,229
as well as making sure
that we can get to a point
474
00:18:25,229 --> 00:18:26,647
where everybody in the world
475
00:18:26,647 --> 00:18:28,482
is able to use quantum computers
476
00:18:28,482 --> 00:18:31,151
without using specialised
quantum knowledge.
477
00:18:31,151 --> 00:18:33,946
You shouldn't need, you
know, a PhD in quantum
478
00:18:33,946 --> 00:18:35,656
to be using using a quantum computer,
479
00:18:35,656 --> 00:18:38,200
similarly, exactly the same way
480
00:18:38,200 --> 00:18:40,869
you don't need to understand
how transistors work
481
00:18:40,869 --> 00:18:44,748
or how a regular PC works
to be able to use a PC.
482
00:18:44,748 --> 00:18:49,628
So workforce development is
really important to the NQCC
483
00:18:49,628 --> 00:18:53,382
and we do have a program
called quantum readiness
484
00:18:53,382 --> 00:18:55,759
and SparQ program, which
is a flagship program
485
00:18:55,759 --> 00:18:57,469
for end user engagement
486
00:18:57,469 --> 00:18:58,846
which we launched in 2022.
487
00:18:58,846 --> 00:19:02,474
And under that, we have developed courses,
488
00:19:02,474 --> 00:19:04,518
both for professional development
489
00:19:04,518 --> 00:19:06,436
for people looking to shift into quantum
490
00:19:06,436 --> 00:19:09,606
or upskill into quantum
within their industry
491
00:19:09,606 --> 00:19:11,775
but we are also starting to figure out
492
00:19:11,775 --> 00:19:13,652
how do we take this to schools
493
00:19:13,652 --> 00:19:17,447
and start getting quantum
education embedded within schools?
494
00:19:17,447 --> 00:19:20,117
And we do have our
quantum readiness leads
495
00:19:20,117 --> 00:19:22,077
and our outreach officers
496
00:19:22,077 --> 00:19:24,454
fully working in this particular area
497
00:19:24,454 --> 00:19:27,374
to tackle this particular
really important thing
498
00:19:27,374 --> 00:19:28,292
that needs to happen
499
00:19:28,292 --> 00:19:31,128
along with the development
of the technology.
500
00:19:31,587 --> 00:19:32,504
- When you were a little girl,
501
00:19:32,504 --> 00:19:34,798
did you ever think at
some point in the future
502
00:19:34,798 --> 00:19:37,551
you'd be working in quantum computing?
503
00:19:37,551 --> 00:19:40,387
- I actually really wanted
to work in quantum and space.
504
00:19:40,387 --> 00:19:42,222
When I was a little girl,
505
00:19:42,222 --> 00:19:44,766
we didn't actually used to
have a computer in my home.
506
00:19:44,766 --> 00:19:48,395
So my mom used to take me to
the, you know, internet cafe.
507
00:19:48,395 --> 00:19:52,316
I would print out and
cut off magazine cutouts
508
00:19:52,316 --> 00:19:53,775
as well as newspaper cutouts,
509
00:19:53,775 --> 00:19:55,235
and I still have that folder,
510
00:19:55,235 --> 00:19:57,905
of like, you know, major
discoveries in quantum
511
00:19:57,905 --> 00:20:00,282
and major discoveries about
black holes and so on.
512
00:20:00,282 --> 00:20:01,450
And this was in seventh grade
513
00:20:01,450 --> 00:20:03,410
when I was doing "pretend research".
514
00:20:03,410 --> 00:20:06,288
So, you know, who knew I
would start actually working
515
00:20:06,288 --> 00:20:07,414
in quantum or space?
516
00:20:07,414 --> 00:20:09,333
It's actually been a dream come true.
517
00:20:09,333 --> 00:20:12,044
- What excites you the
most about the power
518
00:20:12,044 --> 00:20:15,380
of networking quantum computers together?
519
00:20:15,380 --> 00:20:16,757
- I get super excited
520
00:20:16,757 --> 00:20:18,926
about the use cases of quantum computing.
521
00:20:18,926 --> 00:20:21,470
I can see that quantum
computers can be used
522
00:20:21,470 --> 00:20:23,805
for transformative
changes to the way we live
523
00:20:23,805 --> 00:20:25,849
and the way we work in the society
524
00:20:25,849 --> 00:20:27,601
as humanity collectively.
525
00:20:27,601 --> 00:20:29,061
I think some of the use cases,
526
00:20:29,061 --> 00:20:32,481
such as in energy, in healthcare,
in medicine, in space,
527
00:20:32,481 --> 00:20:35,150
are going to completely
change how we work together.
528
00:20:35,150 --> 00:20:38,195
I encourage everyone to
be a part of this journey
529
00:20:38,195 --> 00:20:40,072
by getting involved in quantum
530
00:20:40,072 --> 00:20:44,242
and bringing your unique skills
to the quantum workforce.
531
00:20:44,868 --> 00:20:46,370
- Networking quantum computers
532
00:20:46,370 --> 00:20:48,247
will secure our communications,
533
00:20:48,247 --> 00:20:50,165
help doctors save lives,
534
00:20:50,165 --> 00:20:52,334
and help us fight climate change.
535
00:20:52,334 --> 00:20:53,794
But making this vision a reality
536
00:20:53,794 --> 00:20:55,837
involves overcoming technical challenges
537
00:20:55,837 --> 00:20:57,422
like the need for quantum repeaters,
538
00:20:57,422 --> 00:20:58,757
advancements in fibre optics,
539
00:20:58,757 --> 00:21:00,676
and satellite communications.
540
00:21:00,676 --> 00:21:02,427
The true power of quantum
computing, though,
541
00:21:02,427 --> 00:21:04,429
lies in the network effect,
542
00:21:04,429 --> 00:21:06,556
where collaboration and collective efforts
543
00:21:06,556 --> 00:21:09,518
will drive the transformation
of industry and society.
544
00:21:10,102 --> 00:21:12,479
Quantum computing will help
us answer the big questions
545
00:21:12,479 --> 00:21:13,647
about our environment,
546
00:21:13,647 --> 00:21:15,107
the world inside our bodies,
547
00:21:15,107 --> 00:21:16,984
and life in outer space.
548
00:21:16,984 --> 00:21:19,403
As for the answer to life,
the universe, and everything?
549
00:21:19,403 --> 00:21:21,571
Check back in 7.5 million years.
550
00:21:21,571 --> 00:21:22,781
I'm Michael Hainsworth.
551
00:21:22,781 --> 00:21:23,532
Thanks for joining us.
