The Times Tech Podcast – Bonus Episode: Will Quantum Computing Change Everything?

Date: March 9, 2026
Hosts: Katie Prescott (Technology Business Editor, The Times), Dominic O’Connell (Times Columnist and Times Radio Correspondent)
Guest: Dr. James Palles-Dimmock, CEO, Quantum Motion

Episode Overview

This bonus episode delves into the world of quantum computing, widely regarded as the next transformative technology after AI. Hosts Katie Prescott and Dominic O’Connell interview Dr. James Palles-Dimmock, CEO of the UK-based quantum technology company Quantum Motion. The discussion demystifies quantum computing, explores its real-world implications for business and society, and examines the UK’s ambitions in the global quantum race.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Making Quantum Computing Understandable

• Defining Quantum Computing:

  • Palles-Dimmock breaks down quantum computing by contrasting it with classical (binary) computers, explaining quantum's rich capabilities drawn from quantum mechanics—such as superposition and entanglement.
  • Quote — James Palles-Dimmock:

    “We’re making the most powerful computer the laws of physics allow us to make.” (04:46)

• Impact on Understanding:

  • The hosts emphasize that the public often struggles to grasp quantum computing’s concepts.
  • Notable Moment: Katie tries a quantum joke:

    “A quantum particle known as a qubit is lying on a therapist's couch and the therapist says, 'What's bothering you?' And the qubit says, 'Nobody understands me.’” (03:54)

2. Real-World Applications & Timeline

• Early Use Cases:

  • Quantum computing’s initial transformative impacts are expected in material science and chemistry (e.g., modeling molecules and chemical reactions), leading to new materials and scientific advancements before wide-ranging business uses.

    "Quantum mechanics is a way for us to understand the world at the deepest possible level. Quantum computing in the earliest use cases... gives us the eye of God on what's going on at the subatomic level." (06:10)

• Current Progress:

  • Large-scale, broadly useful quantum computers are still roughly five years away (07:05).

• Examples in Industry:

  • Trials like HSBC’s with IBM are building necessary operational expertise, though not yet delivering commercial payoff (07:17).

3. Quantum Motion's Path & Technology

• Origins:

  • Spinout from Oxford and UCL in 2017, aiming to use existing semiconductor technologies for scalable, affordable quantum machines.
  • Key innovation: trapping single electrons using standard CMOS processes—leveraging miniaturization know-how from the classic chip industry (09:50–11:08).

• Physical Description:

  • A quantum computer’s “heart” is a tiny chip encased in a device cooled by a dilution fridge, sometimes likened to a “gold chandelier” (10:59–11:34).

• Commercial Milestone:

  • Quantum Motion, with the UK government as a customer, has proved the feasibility of building qubit systems with standard semiconductor manufacturing (12:25).

4. Quantum 101: Explaining Qubits

• Analogy:
  • Classic bits are like arrows pointing only up or down (0 or 1), but qubits can “point” anywhere on a sphere, enabling far richer states and entanglement (09:57).
  • Quote — Dr. James Palles-Dimmock:

    “Instead of imagining your arrow as a line where it can only point up and down, it can now point anywhere on a sphere.” (09:57)

5. Quantum & AI – A Relationship

• Two-way Enhancement:
  • Quantum computers can generate rich data (e.g., materials properties) that trains AI models far beyond current datasets.
  • Conversely, AI can help optimize quantum algorithms and hardware.
  • Quote:

    “Using a quantum computer to generate data is one of the key ways that we can enhance AI.” (15:12)

6. Security, Crypto, and the Quantum Threat

• Encryption & Blockchain:

  • Quantum computers threaten legacy cryptography but can be countered by adopting “quantum-resistant” encryption algorithms, already in development (16:49).
  • Quote:

    “The early encryption method that they used to secure Bitcoin, for example, would be amenable to this kind of attack... but there are ways to get around this.” (16:49)

• Industry Warnings:

  • National Cybersecurity Centre (UK) urges preparation for a post-quantum world where classic encryption can be broken rapidly (03:10, 32:30).

7. Is Quantum a Replacement for Traditional Computing?

• Complementary Role:
  • Quantum machines will handle problems “classical” computers can’t efficiently solve—such as those with massive interacting systems (e.g., materials science, complex financial derivatives) (17:44).
  • Not a replacement, but a complement.
  • Quote:

    “Quantum computing is not going to replace traditional computing. It's complementary to it, not a replacement for it.” (17:44)

8. Competition & Commercialization

• Technology Races:

  • Multiple approaches (silicon, ions, photons) are “competing,” but economics (cost, scalability) will ultimately decide (21:18).
  • Quantum Motion’s bet: silicon-based quantum computers will offer the best cost/performance tradeoff.

• Big Tech vs. Startups:

  • Despite competition from global giants (IBM, Microsoft, Google), Quantum Motion is nimble, less siloed, and focused on capital efficiency.
  • Quote:

    “Yes, they've got large budgets, but we have the ability to move incredibly quickly. Obviously we're in a competitive market, but that's not the thing that keeps me up at night.” (22:34)

• Funding Needs:

  • Quantum Motion’s development path is capital efficient compared to “billion-dollar” rivals: next-stage scaling requires around £100m, not billions (24:13).

9. Quantum vs. AI Hype and Investment

• Current Investment Climate:
  • The AI boom has captured much of the investment spotlight, but quantum computing remains well funded—barriers to entry are much higher, and fewer companies operate in the space (25:20).

10. Geopolitical Stakes

• Strategic Technology Race:

  • Quantum is a sensitive sector for the UK, with the US and China also racing for leadership—UK and US maintain “friendly” competition; China more fraught (26:20).
  • DARPA’s involvement signals the tech’s strategic potential:

    “DARPA's whole modus operandi is we do not want strategic surprise. And what more strategically surprising than to find out that your competing countries have the most powerful computer the laws of physics allow you to make.” (27:36)

• UK Ambitions:

  • Quantum Motion aims to become an “enormous UK success story,” not aiming for a big-tech buyout but building a sovereign tech champion (23:22, 29:06).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the quantum “mystique”:

  • Katie: “Nobody understands it.” (03:54, joke)

• On business impact & timeline:

  • James: “For something useful in materials science, you're probably still looking at about sort of the five year time horizon.” (07:05)

• On industry race:

  • James: “It'll be economics as it is with, I hate to say it, it will be that dull. Eventually a quantum computer will be a commodity.” (21:18)

• On selling out:

  • James: “We can and have said no to people coming and offering. The number of times we've been offered to SPAC or something else... a couple of people a week writing to that.” (29:06)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:54] Katie’s “nobody understands” qubit joke
• [04:46] James describes how he explains quantum at parties ("most powerful computer the laws of physics allow")
• [06:10] Earliest quantum applications: material science, chemistry
• [07:05] Timelines for practical impact (~5 years)
• [09:57] What is a qubit? The arrow-on-a-sphere analogy
• [10:59] What does a quantum computer look like? (gold chandelier description)
• [15:12] Quantum’s intersection with AI
• [16:49] Can quantum break crypto/blockchain?
• [17:44] Quantum as a complement to, not a replacement for, classical computing
• [21:18] Competing quantum techs—economics prevail
• [22:34] Competing with tech giants
• [24:13] Funding needs & capital efficiency
• [26:20] Geopolitics and the quantum race

Conclusion & Takeaways

• Quantum computing is poised to revolutionize select industries, especially those involving extremely complex systems and materials—but it's not a panacea for all computing problems.
• Economic viability and scalability of technology will determine which approach wins—not just technical merit.
• Security and geopolitics are already at play, with the UK, US, and China in a race for quantum leadership.
• Quantum is complementary to AI and classical computing, not a replacement.

Memorable sign-off:
Dominic: “I feel slightly like I've had the veil lifted on this magical world, which I was able to glimpse for a minute and not quite grasp.” (31:48)

Katie: “Very, very powerful... a few years away to wrap your arms around something that is extraordinarily complicated. I thought James did a brilliant job of explaining it in human and English, which is not easy for a quantum physicist.” (32:30)

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