The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) in the UK has partnered with IBM Quantum to provide UK researchers with cloud access to IBM’s quantum computing systems. The agreement aims to drive new research and aligns with NQCC’s vision to solve complex societal problems through quantum computing. NQCC was established with a £93 million investment by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) as part of the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP). IBM Quantum’s systems offer over 100 qubits, enabling the exploration of problems that classical systems may not solve. The partnership will also support collaboration with the Hartree National Centre for Digital Innovation.
UK Researchers to Access IBM Quantum Computing Systems
The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) has entered into an agreement to provide UK researchers with cloud access to IBM Quantum’s Premium Plan. This includes access to IBM’s quantum computing systems. The purpose of this agreement is to stimulate new research directions that utilise quantum computing. This aligns with NQCC’s objective to enable the UK to tackle some of the most complex and challenging problems facing society by leveraging the potential of quantum computing.
NQCC, a programme jointly delivered by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), was established with a £93 million investment by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) as part of the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP). The centre aims to drive new research horizons by enabling proof-of-concept projects, feasibility studies and discovery-led science.
IBM Quantum provides users with access to utility-scale processors with more than 100 qubits, the basic unit of quantum information. These systems deliver performance capable of serving as scientific tools to explore a new scale of problems that classical systems may never be able to solve.
Quantum Computing and the UK’s Technological Future
The advanced technological capability of quantum computing will play a crucial role in helping the UK become a quantum-ready nation. This will allow the UK to fully exploit the benefits that quantum computing can offer, by supporting UK-based organisations.
“Providing assured quantum computing access is an important step in contributing towards the national effort. The agreement with IBM will enable the NQCC to provide utility-level quantum computing resources for the UK’s vibrant research community, which will open new avenues of fundamental and applied research, with the prospect of boosting the development of novel technologies and drive new discoveries.”
Dr Michael Cuthbert, Director of NQCC
NQCC complements STFC’s other long-term partnership with IBM, the Hartree National Centre for Digital Innovation programme. This programme applies artificial intelligence, data science, high performance computing, as well as quantum computing for the benefit of UK industry and the public sector.
The recent agreement will facilitate new ways for NQCC and the Hartree Centre to collaborate to support UK industry and ensure the UK economy gains maximum benefit from quantum computing.
Quantum Computing as a Powerful Resource
Dr Michael Cuthbert, Director of NQCC, stated that providing assured quantum computing access is a significant step in contributing towards the national effort. The agreement with IBM will enable the NQCC to provide utility-level quantum computing resources for the UK’s vibrant research community. This will open new avenues of fundamental and applied research, with the potential to boost the development of novel technologies and drive new discoveries.
National Quantum Technologies Showcase
The announcement of the agreement was made as part of the 2023 UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase, the flagship event of the UK’s quantum community. The event, organised by Innovate UK, EPSRC and NQTP, last year welcomed over 1,500 delegates, with 67 exhibitors from 34 different countries.
Other announcements at the showcase included the UK Quantum Standards Network Pilot led by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the British Standards Institution, in collaboration with government and industry and research partners including NQCC. This will help to ensure that the UK is at the forefront of establishing global standards for quantum.
Quantum Computing’s Potential to Transform Society
George Freeman MP, Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, identified Quantum as one of the five transformational technologies in which the UK is a global leader. This is why a £2.5 billion 10-year industrial strategy has been set out to support the quantum sector in the UK. Quantum is set to transform computing, imaging and sensing, cyber security and position, navigation and timing with major industrial applications from drug discovery to defence, fintech, and much more. The partnership between the National Quantum Computing Centre and IBM will provide cloud quantum computing access for companies, agencies, national labs and other organisations to help boost UK quantum computing infrastructure.
“We have identified Quantum as one of the 5 transformational technologies in which the UK is a global leader, which is why we have set out a £2.5 billion 10 year industrial strategy to support the quantum sector here in the UK. Quantum is set to transform computing, imaging and sensing, cyber security and position, navigation and timing with major industrial applications from drug discovery to defence, fintech, and much more. Our partnership between the National Quantum Computing Centre and IBM will provide cloud quantum computing access for companies, agencies, national labs and other organisations to help boost UK quantum computing infrastructure. This is an exciting day for the UK quantum sector.”
George Freeman MP, Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Summary
The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) has partnered with IBM Quantum to provide UK researchers with cloud access to advanced quantum computing systems, aiming to drive new research and solve complex societal problems. This collaboration, part of a £93 million investment by UK Research and Innovation, will support UK-based organisations and help the UK become a quantum-ready nation, potentially transforming sectors from drug discovery to defence and fintech.
- The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) has partnered with IBM Quantum to provide UK researchers with cloud access to IBM’s quantum computing systems.
- The collaboration aims to drive new research directions in quantum computing, aligning with NQCC’s vision to solve complex societal problems using this technology.
- NQCC, a programme jointly delivered by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), was established with a £93 million investment by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) as part of the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP).
- IBM Quantum’s systems, which offer users access to processors with over 100 qubits, will serve as scientific tools to explore problems that classical systems may not be able to solve.
- This partnership complements STFC’s existing partnership with IBM at the Hartree National Centre for Digital Innovation, which applies artificial intelligence, data science, high performance computing, and quantum computing for the benefit of UK industry and the public sector.
- Dr Michael Cuthbert, Director of NQCC, believes that this agreement will open new avenues of fundamental and applied research, potentially boosting the development of novel technologies and driving new discoveries.
- The announcement was made at the 2023 UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase, an event organised by Innovate UK, EPSRC and NQTP.
