Retail technology

UK business investment in new technologies such as quantum computing, blockchain and artificial intelligence is set to jump in the next five years, according to research by the CBI and Accenture. The proportion of firms seeking to invest in quantum computing will increase from 11% today to 32% in five years. The number of those starting to put money into blockchain and other distributed ledger technologies will double from 16% today to 35%. Whilst a third of respondents are also due to begin spending on AI. "These technologies will be used not only to improve customer experience and reduce costs, but open up new frontiers of innovation, from drug discoveries to drone deliveries. As we move from research to reality, investment in quantum computing is set to leap threefold, and could make possible experiments that are currently too costly and impractical," says Felicity Burch, CBI Director of Digital and Innovation.