By Melissa Mather, Quantum Specialist, Government Office for Science
We hear a lot about ‘quantum’. This word can feel abstract, yet as we celebrate World Quantum Day and 100 years of quantum science and technology on Monday 14 April 2025, it's clear this field is poised to reshape sectors, from security to healthcare. Just as IT literacy evolved from machine code specialists to everyday users, quantum literacy will span a spectrum, which will be valuable at every level.
What is quantum?
Think of our everyday world where objects have definite positions, speeds, and properties. We can usually predict their behaviour with familiar rules of mechanics. Now, shrink down, far, far smaller than anything visible to the scale of atoms and the particles within them. This is the quantum world, and it operates by a different set of rules—enter quantum mechanics.
At this minuscule scale, particles don’t have definite properties until measured. This seeming ambiguity at the quantum level is not a weakness; it’s a superpower, as it allows quantum systems to explore vast numbers of possibilities in parallel, an asset for quantum computing. Also, for secure communications, we can leverage quantum correlations between particles across long distances to detect eavesdroppers. If someone tries to listen in, it will disrupt the correlation, alerting the parties involved of the intrusion.
These quantum behaviours underpin the next wave of quantum technologies.
Potential impact
In my role as a quantum specialist in the Government Office for Science, I see firsthand the growing impact of quantum technologies. I work to bridge the gap between the technical details of quantum technologies and the practical understanding of their capabilities, opportunities for the UK, and their associated risks.
As the field becomes more integrated into our everyday lives, I see many roles where, just as basic IT understanding became essential, a similar awareness of quantum's potential will be invaluable for many of us. This isn’t about needing advanced qualifications but about fostering curiosity.
So, on this World Quantum Day, I encourage you to delve a little deeper. The quantum realm might seem tiny, but its potential impact is anything but.
