The Accelerating Quantum Landscape
According to Louis Barson, director of science, business and education at the UK’s Institute of Physics, the second quantum revolution is advancing “a bit faster than most expected” and promises to be genuinely transformative. Unlike the first quantum revolution that delivered semiconductors, lasers, and optical fibers—technologies that underpin our digital age—this new wave targets more complex challenges in drug discovery, advanced sensors, and materials science. Barson emphasizes that quantum technologies are already demonstrating real-world impact across transport, healthcare, communications, and finance.
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Practical quantum computing, while not yet fully realized, is approaching faster than anticipated. Barson predicts that within the next decade, we will witness quantum systems transitioning from research labs to practical deployment, setting the stage for full-scale quantum technologies. This acceleration is evidenced by major industry developments and record-breaking fundraising by companies like PsiQuantum and IQM, alongside innovations from organizations such as Equal1, which aims to become the “Nvidia of quantum.”
UK Quantum Innovation and Global Context
Barson highlights several standout British quantum companies driving progress. Oxford Ionics, recently acquired by IonQ in a $1 billion deal, focuses on silicon fabrication methods for quantum chips. Quantinuum, another major player, is developing quantum computing applications for cybersecurity and recently secured $600 million in funding. These companies exemplify how quantum technologies are maturing from theoretical concepts into commercially viable solutions.
What makes quantum particularly compelling, Barson notes, is the dual nature of its central challenge. Quantum systems are delicate—particles easily interact with their environment and lose coherence. Yet this very sensitivity makes them exceptionally powerful as sensors. Many of the earliest market-ready quantum applications are emerging in sensing, imaging, and positioning, with profound implications for healthcare, including improved brain scanning and cancer detection.
Amid these advances, the UK quantum sector accelerates amid growing skills demands, highlighting both the opportunities and workforce challenges facing the industry. The competitive landscape is also evolving, as seen in recent technology and regulatory developments that influence how quantum and other advanced sectors operate.
Addressing the Quantum Skills Shortage
Barson’s background as a senior civil servant involved in growing the UK’s “future sectors”—including AI, robotics, and quantum—gives him unique insight into the policy and educational needs of emerging technologies. He identifies a significant skills gap in both the UK and Ireland, where demand for quantum talent is outpacing the supply of trained specialists at every level.
The solution, Barson argues, lies in strengthening the entire educational pipeline. The Institute of Physics is actively championing physics education and fostering connections between students, researchers, and industry. Initiatives like the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme, which established five quantum research hubs, are generating momentum in skills development and industry-academia collaboration.
These hubs focus on diverse applications—quantum communications, navigation systems for critical infrastructure, and sensors for early disease diagnosis—creating targeted opportunities for innovation and employment. The UK’s National Quantum Strategy further aims to train over 1,000 PhD researchers in quantum fields within the next decade and has established a Quantum Skills Taskforce to develop a comprehensive skills action plan.
Building Foundations in School Physics
However, Barson stresses that addressing the quantum skills gap must begin long before postgraduate education. “The start of this skills pipeline is in school physics lessons,” he says. A recent IOP report calls for a £120 million investment over the next decade to train and retain physics teachers, noting that approximately 25% of UK state schools lack a physics specialist.
Judith Hillier, IOP’s vice president for learning and skills, emphasized the economic significance of physics-powered industries, which contributed £190 billion to the English economy in 2019. Yet businesses struggle to recruit qualified talent. The IOP’s ten-year plan aims to improve GCSE-level physics success rates for hundreds of thousands of additional students annually.
Ireland faces similar challenges, with over 1,800 teaching vacancies reported before the current school year. As with other related innovations and tech sectors, sustained investment in education is crucial for long-term growth. Even market trends in space and aerospace rely on robust STEM education to fuel future breakthroughs.
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Inspiring Engagement with Physics
Barson sees quantum technology as a powerful example of how physics skills create “amazing value for society.” From addressing climate change to improving medical diagnostics, physics provides the foundational understanding needed to tackle global challenges. He hopes that raising awareness of quantum’s potential will help people recognize the importance of physics—a field accessible to everyone, regardless of background.
As quantum technologies continue to evolve, the need for a skilled, diverse workforce becomes increasingly urgent. Through coordinated efforts in education, policy, and industry collaboration, the UK and Ireland can position themselves at the forefront of the quantum revolution—transforming not only technology but also inspiring future generations of physicists.
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