How quantum technologies could open new frontiers for AI

This three-part blog series explores the growing complementarity between artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technologies. The first post introduced quantum technologies and outlined their strengths and the challenges of combining AI with quantum systems. The second examined how AI can support the development of quantum technologies, helping to optimise systems and accelerate progress towards practical applications. In this third and final instalment, we turn to the reverse relationship: how quantum technologies – including computing, sensing and communication – could support the future evolution of AI systems.

Although large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers remain a long-term goal, early-stage quantum devices and their integration with existing AI systems are already paving the way for quantum-enhanced AI. These developments could eventually lead to meaningful improvements across many sectors of the economy and in daily life.

What technical breakthroughs could quantum computing bring to AI?

In recent years, AI systems have become more powerful and data-intensive, particularly through large language models (LLMs). These developments have made the limitations of classical computing, especially in speed, energy consumption and scalability, increasingly apparent. Quantum technologies could offer a pathway to expand the frontiers of classical computing, potentially overcoming today’s computing bottlenecks. However, quantum computers are not expected to replace existing AI systems. They are likely to coexist, with quantum systems excelling at solving specific types of problems that are difficult or intractable for conventional computers.