NAVISP participated in the Economist conference Commercialising Quantum 2026

Last Updated: 06/07/2026 13:43     Created at: 06/07/2026 13:39

On 16th and 17th June a NAVISP representative attended Commercialising Quantum 2026 in London. Here’s what we learnt.

Quantum is moving rapidly from research to deployment.

The UK’s ambition to become a leading quantum nation by 2035 is backed by a £2 billion strategy focused on scaling and deployment, not just research. This includes investment across infrastructure, skills and supply chains, alongside procurement programmes to deliver large-scale quantum computing in the early 2030s. Strong support for sensing and navigation reinforces PNT as a priority, while the overall strategy emphasises commercialisation, national security and economic growth through closer industry collaboration.

A key takeaway is that quantum sensing and timing are already delivering value today. Applications such as GNSS-denied navigation and resilient timing (e.g. quantum clocks) are maturing, with real deployments emerging in defence and aerospace. In contrast, quantum computing remains on a longer horizon, but progress toward scalable, fault-tolerant systems continues at pace.

Another consistent theme was the convergence of quantum and AI. Rather than competing paradigms, they are becoming complementary: AI helps optimise and control quantum systems, while quantum will enable new ways to process complex data. This combined approach is expected to significantly reshape how we approach scientific discovery and complex problem-solving.

Security discussions reinforced the urgency of post-quantum cryptography, particularly for financial systems and critical infrastructure. With standards now in place, organisations are beginning what will be a long transition toward quantum-resilient architectures.

Finally, there was a strong message around the need for increased European investment in both quantum and AI to remain globally competitive. Sustained and coordinated funding across research, infrastructure and industry will be essential. Beyond economic competitiveness, this investment is critical to maintaining leadership in scientific discovery and technological advancements, ensuring Europe can continue to shape and benefit from the next generation of transformative technologies.