Quantum computing will fundamentally change our lives, society and the economy in less than a decade, according to a University of Bristol professor’s talk to the World Economic Forum in Davos this week.
It has the capability to unlock answers to some of humanity’s most pressing questions that are presently unsolvable with current computing technologies, Professor Jeremy O’Brien, director of the university’s Centre for Quantum Photonics, told the gathering of the world’s leading political and business leaders. 
Professor O’Brien, pictured, said: “In less than 10 years quantum computers will begin to outperform everyday computers, leading to breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, the discovery of new pharmaceuticals and beyond.
“The very fast computing power given by quantum computers has the potential to disrupt traditional businesses and challenge our cyber-security. Businesses need to be ready for a quantum future because it’s coming.”
In his talk, Prof O’Brien outlined the current status of quantum computing and its potential applications. He also revealed his architectural blue-print for a manufacturable photonic quantum computer, showing all the components and a roadmap toward building a practical machine.
Quantum technologies offer ultra-secure communications, sensors of unprecedented precision and computers that are exponentially more powerful than any supercomputer for a given task. These technologies are destined to fundamentally change our lives and the first commercially available quantum devices are only now beginning to emerge.
According to Prof O’Brien, a working system is expected to be developed by 2020.
Prof O’Brien, who is also Visiting Fellow at Stanford University in California, took part in a European Research Council (ERC) Ideas Lab delegation which was invited to talk at Davos.
The session discussed the future of computing and how new fields of computer sciences are paving the way for the next digital revolution.
In 2014, the UK government invested more than £270m developing quantum technologies, ensuring that the UK becomes the epicentre of a technology revolution. Prof O’Brien has been leading the development of quantum computing using light in its quantum state – the photon – as the key ingredient.
As the holder of a prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Quantum Engineering, Prof O’Brien has a 10-year vision to engineer new quantum technologies that will inevitably disrupt todays ICT models, creating new businesses and valuable new markets.
