Quantum computers are only just edging into useful existence, but the world isn’t willing to wait for the technology to mature. They’re already being put to good use in finance, energy production and manufacturing – and soon, if all goes well, quantum systems will predict potential flood damage across the UK to help plan mitigations against the impacts of climate change.
Multiverse Computing is leading one of 30 projects backed by the UK government as part of efforts to develop quantum technologies for public sector applications. Alongside its partners, Oxford Quantum Circuits and Moody’s Analytics, Multiverse is developing an algorithm to optimise neural network outputs for more detailed flood modelling.
This is part of the government’s Quantum Catalyst Fund, a £15 million pot of cash to encourage quantum technologies to be developed for public use. Multiverse’s project was handed a slice of that money for a three-month feasibility study as phase one of the fund, with contracts doled out for any promising ideas as part of phase two, in which they’ll be asked to make a prototype or product demonstration.
That £15 million is just the start. The fund is part of a wider National Quantum Strategy published in March 2023 that will see £2.5 billion invested
