UK Quantum Hackathon 2024 Taps UK Talent to Reveal Quantum Computing’s Potential For Real-World Impact 

Insider Brief 

• Third annual UK Quantum Hackathon, organized by the National Quantum Computing Centre, continues to nurture quantum talent and foster industry-academic collaboration. 
• Winning projects in the Hackathon demonstrate quantum computing’s potential in sectors like insurance, telecommunications, and healthcare. 
• The event builds on previous successes, helping to solidify the UK’s role in the discovery of applications for quantum computing 
• Image: First Place team KL Divergents use case provided by: Mind Foundry and Aioi R&D Lab and the quantum computing resources provided by: ​Quantinuum, IonQ and Classiq Technologies. (Provided)

The UK Quantum Hackathon 2024, held for the third consecutive year, continues to provide the resources to elevate the standards of innovation and collaboration in the quantum computing landscape. Organized by the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) as part of its SparQ user engagement program, this flagship event has rapidly become a cornerstone for nurturing quantum talent and demonstrating the practical applications of quantum computing in the UK. 

This year’s hackathon built on the successes of previous editions, which have consistently attracted a growing number of participants and industry partners. The NQCC’s hackathons have become a vital platform for students and early-career researchers to immerse themselves in the quantum realm, gaining hands-on experience and insight into both the potential and current limitations of quantum computing 

The 2024 edition of the hackathon, however, set a new standard. Over three days, students and early-career researchers formed teams and worked alongside industry mentors to address real-world challenges in sectors as diverse as healthcare, energy, and engineering. Participants gained valuable hands-on experience in coding quantum algorithms and developing solutions that highlight the evolving capabilities of quantum computing.  

The event culminated in a showcase where teams presented their solutions to a panel of judges. The winning projects give a glimpse into the transformative potential of quantum computing: 

• First Place: Team KL Divergents tackled the critical challenge of risk aggregation evaluation for insurance losses due to natural disasters. Supported by Mind Foundry and Aioi R&D Lab, and relying on quantum resources from Quantinuum, IonQ, and Classiq Technologies, their solution demonstrated quantum computing’s potential to revolutionize risk management in the insurance industry. 
• Second Place: Team Schrödinger’s Apples focused on optimizing the placement of transmitters, receivers and sensors in networks, addressing a challenge presented by BT. With quantum support from D-Wave and IonQ, their solution aimed to enhance the efficiency and reliability of communication networks—an increasingly critical need in today’s connected world. 
• Third Place: Team Trust me, I’m a Doctor…of physics…in training developed a quantum model for NHS forecasting. Their project, supported by NHS England and utilizing quantum resources from IonQ, Classiq Technologies, and AWS Braket, provided a novel approach to improving healthcare forecasting and resource allocation, showcasing the potential impact of quantum computing on public health systems. 

Beyond the technical achievements, the hackathon fostered a spirit of creativity and collaboration. The team naming competition was particularly popular, with the team ‘Trust me, I’m a Doctor…of physics…in training’ winning for their clever and humorous name. Teams were also asked to consider the societal impact of their use cases, drawing on the NQCC’s recently published Quantum STATES principles. 

Previous UK Quantum Hackathons 

The UK Quantum Hackathon series began in 2022, when the NQCC organized its first event to explore the practical applications of quantum computing. The inaugural hackathon included challenges related to telecommunications, aerospace and manufacturing. Participants collaborated with industry mentors, and the event attracted attention from major players in the quantum ecosystem. The strong industry engagement and the quality of the solutions presented set a high standard for subsequent events. 

In 2023, the hackathon took place at the University of Birmingham, expanding its scope to address more complex challenges in fields such as healthcare, energy and telecommunications. The event saw increased participation from both students and industry partners, solidifying its reputation as a key platform for advancing quantum computing skills in the UK. Participants worked closely with quantum resources provided by major quantum computing companies, underscoring the event’s growing prominence in the sector. 

As the earlier versions of the event show, the hackathon continues to attract a diverse array of participants, while pushing the boundaries of what quantum computing can achieve in solving real-world problems.