07/06/2023
Earlier this year, the UK Government’s newly formed Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) published their ‘National Quantum Strategy’. In this blog, we highlight some interesting aspects of the report, and also bring attention to its implementation since publication.
The National Quantum Strategy is essentially a ten-year plan directed to the development of quantum technologies. Not only have quantum technologies been named as one of DSIT’s ‘five priority technologies of tomorrow’ (alongside AI, engineering biology, semiconductors, and future telecoms), but they are further named in the report as an area of technology that could aid in advancing the other four.
An investment of £2.5 billion into quantum technologies over the next decade has been pledged, with an additional aim of generating £1 billion of further private investment. This is all with the goal of the UK becoming a ‘leading quantum-enabled economy by 2030’.
The report also sets out a list of measurable and time-bound objectives. The objectives are varied in nature, and include funding postgraduate students for quantum-relevant research and establishing bilateral arrangements with ‘leading quantum nations’. The report further touches on ‘priority actions’ that will enable meeting these objectives, such as funding for research hubs and accelerator programmes.
Since the report has been published, we continue to see government-backed initiatives encouraging the development of quantum technology. For example, 29th May 2023 marked the opening of a Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) competition, funded by DSIT and Innovate UK. The competition focuses on exploring the use of quantum technologies in a variety of ‘challenge areas’. Examples of such areas are transport, healthcare, space and security.
We look forward to seeing how the UK Government continues to prove their commitment to developing quantum technologies over the next decade.
Here at Reddie & Grose we have a large number of attorneys in our electronics and software team with interest and experience in quantum technologies. If you need help protecting your innovations in this field then please do get in touch.
This article is for general information only. Its content is not a statement of the law on any subject and does not constitute advice. Please contact Reddie & Grose LLP for advice before taking any action in reliance on it.
