UK must learn lessons from AI race and retain its quantum computing talent, says minister

Liz Kendall announces 1bn funding to help design large-scale quantum computers for scientists, researchers, public sector and business

The UK will not let quantum computing talent slip through its fingers and must learn lessons from US dominance of the AI race, the technology secretary has said, as the government announced a 1bn quantum funding pledge.

Liz Kendall said the government hoped to retain homegrown quantum startups, engineers and researchers rather than lose them to competing countries, with the US stealing a march on its western rivals in AI.