Conclusion and recommendations
Quantum technologies are currently starting to emerge from research laboratories and into the real world. Once commercialized they are poised to make a significant impact on society, ranging from improved communication in challenging environments to improved covertness.
These advances are expected to lead to a significant impact on the economy – for example, via the UK government’s National Quantum Strategy Missions [15], which set out strategic challenges where quantum technologies will make a tangible difference.
Systems engineering will need to accommodate quantum technology as a new technology substrate, and whilst the approaches being proposed will reduce the impact on systems engineering, it is likely that there will be some modification required to it.
More significantly, a new engineering discipline will need to be developed concerning the engineering of technologies employing and exploiting quantum effects.
Without this, it will be a struggle to turn the promise of quantum technologies into well-engineered products that achieve the UK Quantum Strategy’s aims. As the National Quantum Technologies Programme continues to develop quantum technologies and drive them towards commercialisation, systems engineering of quantum-based systems needs to be developed as an enabling discipline.
Consequently, the following activities are recommended:
Make quantum systems engineering a new discipline and build a community of interest
The UK already has a strong background in systems engineering and is a global leader in developing quantum technologies (ranked 2nd for number of quantum companies).
However, what will make the UK stand out globally in the future and potentially demonstrate international technical leadership is its strength in bringing both quantum and systems engineering together. Systems engineering is critical to ensure new technologies integrate seamlessly into the existing environment, whether physical or digital, without unforeseen effects.
This is particularly the case for quantum, as it can have non-local effects. Systems engineering can mitigate this through effective planning and strategies such as compartmentalisation to help contain the quantum effects of the wider system. This would aid in the validation and regulation of the wider product and help to address some of the regulatory challenges.
By building a community of Interest in this field, best practices can be developed and shared as the discipline develops.
Improve quantum literacy
For the UK to continue to be a key player in the field of quantum technology, there needs to be greater quantum literacy within the industry, particularly at the C-suite level, to understand what opportunities the technology presents to their business.
Quantum technologies can improve accuracy and increase efficacy and efficiency in projects, which will result in a range of untapped potential to improve businesses.
In a survey of engineering skills, 54% of engineering employers surveyed do not feel that senior management understands emerging technologies such as quantum (iet-skills-for-a-digital-future-summary.pdf (theiet.org).
Focus on reskilling and upskilling in industry in readiness to adopt new technology
The UK is going to require skills in quantum at a range of levels (from PhD to technician) and across different industries. Already, employers say that a digital skills gap is harming productivity (49%) and restricting growth (35%) without the emergence of new technology such as quantum (iet-skills-for-a-digital-future-summary.pdf (theiet.org).
Specific skills are needed in quantum systems engineering to enable the use and integration of new quantum technologies into mixed quantum/classical systems. Through repurposing unused apprenticeship levy funding, for example, SMEs can be supported to increase their skills in this area and ensure that the full supply chain can prepare for its effects.
Regulation
Quantum will require a new approach to regulation as it is inherently hard to replicate and predict and can have non-local effects in a system. Government and regulators should use the 2024 Regulation of Quantum Technology Applications report by the Regulatory Horizons Council as a basis for further discussion.
Going forward, regulators should expand on this and focus on the systems element of regulation in this field.
This is an opportunity for the UK to take a leadership position in global regulation and standards for quantum technology.
Systems thinking in future planning projects
Further support is needed to engineer solutions to the unique challenges that quantum faces through systems engineering. Systems thinking should be embedded at an early stage in the development of new quantum technologies, and support should be given to the development of new approaches to combined quantum and classic systems.
Good practice in systems architecture for quantum technology should be shared to increase the pace of development and regulatory approval.
Quantum catapult hub that draws from expertise across other catapults and has a primary focus on systems engineering and working with industry
Establish a quantum systems engineering hub between the existing catapults to oversee standardisation, sharing of systems architecture and best practice, in addition to supporting appropriate regulation in this space.
This would however need a strong link to industry, particularly working with SME’s and system integrators to improve quantum throughout the supply chain.
Continue to implement the National Quantum Strategy and associated funding to prevent the UK from falling behind as an international competitor
By continuing to fund work that allows companies and universities to work together across the value chain, the UK’s quantum ecosystem can be further strengthened, linking up component manufacturers, quantum system developers, systems integrators, and end users.
Of particular importance is ensuring funding for future Contracts for Innovation (previously known as the Small Business Research Initiative or SBRI), which enables larger companies such as systems integrators to work more easily with quantum SMEs.