In recent years, Britain has stormed ahead of other European countries to become one of the continent’s fastest-growing tech economies. To support future growth, the UK government has now committed $200 million to fund quantum research projects across the country. One of these hubs aims to achieve a ‘near-unhackable’ internet that can be operational as soon as 2035.
The Internet of the Future
Everyone has a vested interest in supporting the internet of the future, from individual web surfers to world governments. Quantum computing is just one of many emerging technologies that could change how the internet works, by making it more secure than ever before.
These new technologies are necessary to support the internet as it becomes more relevant in everyday life. It provides work opportunities, retail access, and entertainment avenues that weren’t available before. Massive industries like streaming and iGaming wouldn’t exist at all without the internet. For example, casino websites allow users to play roulette online, facilitated through an interactive live stream hosted by a real person. To function properly, these services assume that everybody in the audience has a secure connection.
Over time, both practical and entertainment services will require larger data transfers and enhanced cybersecurity. More than any other issue, digital security is very closely tied to quantum computing. Across the world, tech firms are preparing for quantum because it could make current security methods obsolete.
Britain’s Quantum Plans
With most innovations, being the first mover gives an incredible advantage to the company and the country that pioneered them. This is even more prominent with quantum technologies that can out-hack classical computers and yield better insight into other emerging fields like AI. Britain wants to be one of the world’s quantum tech leaders, envisioning a quantum-enabled economy as soon as 2035.
To help realize its quantum ambitions, the British government has nominated five hubs where future research will take place. Each hub has been allocated a share of £160 million ($200 million) in funding, made available to the following universities:
- Cambridge University
- Oxford University
- Birmingham University
- Heriot-Watt University
- Glasgow University
Per the plan, each university will focus on a different aspect of quantum technology. Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt University will receive the largest slice of the funds at £31 million ($39 million). This will go toward integrated quantum networks (IQN) research, pursuing a workable quantum internet.
A quantum internet can produce record levels of computational power by linking quantum computers together in a dedicated network. If successful, the Scottish university has said that security on this new internet will be “near-unhackable.” While quantum computing will shake up the tech sphere, it will still exist alongside classical computer devices.
The other hubs will focus on how quantum can level up other industries. Cambridge will focus on biomedical applications, as will Birmingham through scanning and imaging technology. Meanwhile, Glasgow will explore how quantum can be applied to navigation and time-keeping devices to make them lighter and more reliable across long periods. Lastly, Oxford will focus on practical applications of quantum computing in design, simulation, and machine learning roles. Together, these five hubs hope to put Britain on the map as the quantum capital of the world.
