Helen Wylde-Archibald, CEO of Devon Chamber of Commerce, provides a clear, non-technical overview of what Quantum Technologies are, where they stand today, and why businesses should focus on awareness and future planning rather than immediate action.
Following on from our Devon: Future of Work event, many of you have asked about Quantum Technologies, how does this fit in with Digital Devon and how will it impact us as businesses.
So, below I have done my best to supply you with a simple, non-techie explanation in an answer to your questions. Now this comes with two health warnings:
- I have probably oversimplified it so if you are technically more able than me, I ask for forgiveness – you can upbraid me personally next time we meet! (Also feel free to mark me out of 10!)
- The status of quantum for most of you right now should be for awareness and future planning, rather than action. So please do not panic, on this technology we have time to think, plan and educate ourselves.
What Are Quantum Technologies?
Quantum Technologies are a new family of tools based on the very strange rules of quantum physics. These are rules that behave very differently from the everyday world, and I always look at them as a scientific version of Alice In Wonderland.
So, as you read this you will probably be out of your comfort zone. If this is new to you, all I can advise is that you try and enjoy the experience! The UK is positioning itself as a global leader in this field through major investment, national programmes and industry collaboration, so there may be opportunity for some of our businesses and universities in this space going forward.
So, let’s start with something most of us have heard of… Schrödinger’s Cat…
Schrödinger’s Cat is a scenario imagined by the physicist Erwin Schrödinger in 1935 to illustrate a problem with quantum mechanics. He asked us to imagine:
- A sealed box
- A cat inside
- A tiny amount of radioactive material that may or may not decay
- A detector that, if decay happens, triggers poison and kills the cat
- If no decay happens, the cat lives
In quantum mechanics, the radioactive atom can be in a superposition, decayed and not decayed at the same time, until it is measured.
Schrödinger pushed this to the extreme: If the atom is in a superposition, does that mean the cat is both alive and dead until you open the box? He wasn’t suggesting this actually happens! He was pointing out how weird quantum rules are when you apply them to large objects.
Schrödinger’s Cat illustrates the core idea behind quantum technology and for simplicity lets refer to this as:
Superposition: A system can exist in multiple states at the same time.
Quantum computers use this principle. They use qubits which behave like the “alive AND dead” states of the cat, meaning they can represent many values at once.
This does create a measurement problem. A quantum system only “chooses” a definite state when it’s observed. This is central to quantum communication and sensing.
So, while the cat itself is fictional, the principles it illustrates are real and are exactly what make quantum technologies powerful.
What Quantum Technologies Are (If you want a more straight-forward response than Schrodinger’s Cat)!
Think of quantum technologies as super-precise tools and super-fast computers that work by using the behaviour of particles smaller than atoms. These tiny particles don’t behave like normal objects, they can be in multiple states at once, interact instantly across distance (entanglement), and behave both like particles and waves.
Because of these unique properties, quantum technologies include three main areas:
1. Quantum Computing
A completely new type of computer that uses “qubits” instead of bits.
- Bits = 0 or 1.
- Qubits = 0 and 1 at the same time (superposition).
This allows quantum computers to explore many possibilities simultaneously, making certain problems solvable dramatically faster than classical machines.
2. Quantum Communication
Uses quantum states to send information in a way that cannot be secretly intercepted without being detected, essential for future-proof cybersecurity.
3. Quantum Sensing
Ultra-precise sensors that can detect tiny changes in gravity, magnetic fields, time or movement. These are far more sensitive than today’s sensors and will impact healthcare, transport, defence and more.
How Quantum Technologies Actually Work (Made Simple)
Quantum technologies work because particles at the smallest scales follow special rules:
• Superposition
A qubit can represent many values at once, like spinning in multiple directions simultaneously. This gives the effect of massive processing power for specific problems.
• Entanglement
Two particles become linked so that changing one instantly affects the other, regardless of distance. This gives the effect of ultra-secure communication and improved sensing.
• Quantum Interference
Probabilities reinforce or cancel each other out. This gives the effect that Quantum computers can “amplify” the correct answer while reducing wrong ones.
The way I describe a quantum computer is that like searching for a needle in a haystack:
- A classical computer checks each straw one by one.
- A quantum computer examines all straws at the same time and then enhances the probability of the correct answer emerging.
How Evolved Is This Technology Now in 2026?
The UK has built a globally recognised quantum ecosystem supported by the £1 billion UK National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP). It brings together industry, academia and government to build a “quantum-enabled economy.”
The UK Government has also recently launched new £14–16 million investment rounds to accelerate real-world deployment in healthcare, defence, energy and transport. So for Devon yes it really matters that we are starting to think about how this will impact the products and services we offer and building our county as a recognised cluster brand for this technology.
However, in terms of technical maturity the issue is exactly the same as we experienced in the early days of mobile phones – it’s all about the hardware. Quantum hardware has reached the “break-even point”, meaning early error correction is now feasible and machines are starting to scale – great BUT, if you set the hype aside for one moment the truth is fully scalable quantum computers are still years away. The current machines excel only at specific tasks (optimisation, chemical simulation, materials science).
IBM reckon that Quantum advantage (where quantum outperforms classical) is expected to start emerging around 2026–27 in particular use cases. But until the hardware is mainstream and tested, I suspect mainstream for most of us this is one to track in 2026 and be ready for in 2027.
Skills, Workforce and the Impact on Devon Businesses
Alongside the technology itself, quantum will increasingly shape skills demand and workforce planning. At its core, quantum technologies draw heavily on advanced maths, physics, engineering, computing, data science and cybersecurity.
While only a small number of firms will work directly with quantum systems in the near term, many more will feel the impact indirectly through rising demand for higher-level digital skills.
This matters for Devon businesses of all sizes. As quantum capabilities mature, they will influence how data is processed, how systems are secured, and how complex problems are modelled and solved. Even non-technical firms will need leaders and teams who understand the implications well enough to make informed decisions, engage with suppliers confidently, and future-proof their operations.
For our universities, colleges and training providers, this reinforces the importance of strong STEM pipelines and closer collaboration with industry to ensure skills keep pace with emerging technologies.
What Quantum Technologies Will Be Used For – A few easy-to-imagine-examples:
Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Quantum sensors for portable eye scanners, earlier cancer detection and improved medical imaging.
- Drug discovery accelerated by simulating molecules quantum-mechanically.
Transport & Infrastructure
- Quantum positioning systems that work even when GPS fails.
- Sensors to detect underground structures without digging leading to faster, cheaper and safer civil engineering.
Energy & Climate
- Better modelling of energy grids to integrate renewables.
- New materials for batteries and clean technologies.
Finance & Security
- High-speed portfolio optimisation.
- Quantum-secure communication for banks.
- New defences against fraud using quantum-enhanced risk modelling.
What Devon Businesses Should Be Thinking About Now
For most organisations, quantum technologies are not about immediate action, but they are very much about preparation. The key questions for Devon businesses in 2026 are not “How do we use quantum today?” but “Are we ready for when it arrives?”
Senior leaders should ensure that digital and innovation strategies are flexible enough to absorb emerging technologies as they mature, rather than being locked into short-term assumptions.
Cybersecurity and IT-focused businesses should begin monitoring developments in post-quantum cryptography, as future encryption standards will need to withstand quantum-enabled attacks.
Universities, research organisations and R&D-intensive firms should keep a close eye on funding opportunities, collaboration calls and national programmes linked to quantum technologies, where early engagement can bring long-term advantage.
Employers across sectors should start thinking about future skills needs, particularly in physics, advanced maths, computing, data science and cybersecurity, and how these skills can be developed or accessed locally.
Quantum technologies are not something to fear, but they are something to understand. Awareness today will allow Devon to position itself confidently for the opportunities that lie ahead.
If this is of interest or you are an expert in this area, we will arrange a Lunch & Learn for both technical and non-technical roles, please get in touch and let us know.
