University of Edinburgh joins quantum leap in computing

The £10m collaboration, backed by a three-year grant award from UK Research and Innovation, will accelerate the development of cloud-accessible quantum computing and is set to bring huge benefits to businesses, industry and research.

This new investment into the UK’s growing technology sector is an important milestone. “Driving early adoption of quantum computing will further solidify the UK as a global leader in science and technology, energise innovation across our most vital industries, and position the UK to create and capture lasting economic value.

Amanda Solloway MP, Science Minister

US company Rigetti Computing will lead the project. Other partners include high-tech tool maker Oxford Instruments, software start-up Phasecraft and Standard Chartered bank.

Experts from the University’s School of Informatics will develop new ways for testing the hardware and verifying all aspects of quantum information processing. The team will also work with Standard Chartered to advance quantum machine learning applications for finance.

We are excited to be part of this unique project and to develop new ways for testing the hardware and verifying the performance of quantum devices. The collaboration with Standard Chartered also provides us with an excellent opportunity to advance the field of quantum machine learning applications for finance.

Professor Elham Kashefi, Project Lead, School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh

The consortium will also help to develop the talent and a national supply chain for the country’s high-performance computing industry.

The UK is investing in quantum technologies not only to create society-changing products and services but also to grow talent and expertise, create new jobs and turn outstanding science into economic prosperity. I am delighted that Rigetti—a global leader in quantum computing—have chosen to invest in the UK through this project, building on the close relationships they have already forged with UK companies and research organisations.

Roger McKinlay, Challenge Director for Quantum technologies, UK Research and Innovation

Source: University of Edinburgh