Can Quantum Computing Make AI Better Today? with Richard Murray [105]

Quantum computing is not a distant dream: you can run real workloads on it right now. Richard, co-founder of ORCA Computing, did his PhD in quantum physics 25 years ago, when nobody imagined commercialising it, and later ran the UK’s pioneering quantum technology programme at Innovate UK. In this episode he demystifies the basics: qubits that can be one and zero at the same time, entanglement, and why quantum computers can explore many possible answers in parallel. He explains what really matters when comparing machines, from the number of qubits to error rates, speed and connectivity, and why using photons travelling through optical fibre at room temperature is such a powerful approach. Richard then turns to the question on everyone’s lips: what can quantum do for AI? Today’s quantum computers are too small to run whole models, but used as accelerators in hybrid systems they can power the early layers of generative AI models. In molecular chemistry, this is already producing novel molecules and peptides that classical models alone miss. He discusses the UK’s early lead, the funding race against well-capitalised US rivals, and how businesses can access quantum systems hosted alongside GPUs in a London data centre today, without needing to understand any of the physics. AI is our Business. UKAI is the Trade Association for AI businesses across the UK. Join us, ukai.co (https://www.ukai.co)