The British Embassy in Israel led a delegation to the UK’s annual National Quantum Showcase Week, bringing together the quantum technology industry to highlight innovation in the field and fostering collaboration with international partners.
The event, held in London last week, aimed at accelerating the involvement of quantum technology in industry, highlighted the importance of developing a skilled quantum workforce with a careers event for schools hoping to launch the next generation of quantum science.
The Israeli delegation was one of the largest groups attending, and involved individuals from the UK-Israel tech hub, the Science and Technology Network (STN), and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), as well as experts from academia, start-ups, and venture capital.
Coming just a few months after the UK recognized the state of Palestine, the large Israeli delegation showcased the important role that the event plays in strengthening the UK-Israel relationship, especially in regard to innovation, technology, and collaboration in quantum technology.
Simon Walters, British ambassador to Israel, noted that “Israel’s vibrant quantum ecosystem and rapid tech transfer make it a key partner… this delegation marks a significant step in deepening our partnership in one of the most transformative fields of our time.”
The importance of quantum technology
Tagil Yaniv, critical tech lead of the UK-Israel Tech Hub at the British Embassy to Israel, told Defense & Tech by The Jerusalem Post that “the UK believes quantum technology is the future, and it is important to be at the forefront of the technology.”
Quantum technology is significantly more accurate than classical technology and utilizes the principles of quantum mechanics to create new devices that can do things classical technology can’t. For example, classical computer systems use bits as either 0 or 1, whereas with quantum technology qubits, that can be 0, 1, or both at the same time are used.
Similarly, quantum computing is at the forefront of data analysis and prediction technology. It is highly accurate at predicting and modelling complex systems, far beyond what any classical computer can achieve.
Quantum technology also offers a fundamentally different approach to data processing, problem solving, and practical applications of technology. Quantum is faster, more accurate, and can solve more complicated problems in science, engineering, and economics.
The atomic clock, well-known as the most accurate measurement technology, uses quantum mechanics in order to be precise. It doesn’t gain or lose even one second over millions of years as it measures the specific frequency of radiation produced by atoms gaining and losing energy.
Strengthening Quantum relationships
The UK’s National Quantum Showcase Week included a series of events from start-ups, academia, government, and industry to explore the future of quantum technology and strengthen international relationships.
Yaniv told the D&T that “the event promotes conversation and collaboration between UK corporations and Israeli start-ups.”
The UK-Israel quantum networking event helped develop partnerships between Israeli start-ups and UK stakeholders, growing relationships between the two countries.
Yaniv explained that the idea behind the UK-IL tech hub, which played a large role in this event, is that “the UK’s technological needs are fulfilled, fostering mutual growth.”
Other key events for the UK-Israel delegation included the forward-looking discussions at Grow London Future Horizons and the 11th National Quantum Technologies Showcase, which celebrated the progress made in quantum technology, sparked new collaborations, and allowed researchers and scientists to share insights with each other.
The event fostered a positive exchange of ideas between countries, highlighting Israel’s position at the forefront of quantum technology. Israel has led the creation and applications of quantum technology in computing and quantum-adjacent fields, i.e., communications.
Facilities, such as the Weizmann Institute of Science, the Technion, and Hebrew University of Jerusalem, head academic research in the quantum field, with HU having launched Israel’s first quantum computer at the end of 2024.
Shira Lanir, head of STN at the British Embassy to Israel, said, “Both the UK and Israel are global leaders in quantum – with exceptional talent, scientific excellence, and thriving innovation ecosystems, and we are excited to support the growing partnership between the UK and Israel in quantum research, innovation, and technology.”