How Quantum Computing Will Shape The Future Workplace
This revolutionary technology is closer than you think, and its ability to solve complex problems in seconds will redefine how we design, secure, and experience the workplace.
Quantum computing is expected to reshape industries by solving problems that are too complex or time-intensive for traditional computing. In technology-driven workplaces, it presents significant future potential, particularly in areas such as energy management, smart infrastructure control, and high-speed data processing. By evaluating many variables at once, quantum computers can deliver solutions in seconds to problems that might take classical systems hundreds, or even thousands of years to solve. While the technology is still developing and comes with certain challenges and risks, major voices in the industry are already recognising its transformative potential. As noted in recent coverage from the BBC (2024):
“The best advanced tech is indistinguishable from magic, and that's how quantum computing is going to be.”
That transformation won’t happen through quantum systems alone. In practice, it will work alongside Artificial Intelligence, where AI drives decision-making and user interaction, while quantum systems handle the complex calculations behind the scenes. For organisations, now is the time to begin understanding and preparing for quantum computing. Staying informed and exploring its potential will help position businesses to adapt and lead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Enabling Smarter Building and Workplace Technology
Enhancing Energy Efficiency Through Quantum Computing
One area where quantum technology could be especially impactful is in the development of smarter building and workplace technologies.
When integrated with AI-driven automations, quantum systems can dramatically
improve a building’s ability to process and act on large volumes of real-time
data. This goes beyond adjusting lighting and temperature. For example, systems
could analyse trends in calendars, meeting frequency, and room usage to
automatically prepare spaces by adjusting lighting, temperature, and AV setups
based on past preferences, while powering down equipment when not in use. A
meeting room could automatically configure itself a few minutes in advance,
improving both the employee and client experience.
This level of automation can scale to entire facilities and corporate campuses. These enhanced systems could assess weather conditions, occupancy levels, and historical usage to determine whether heating or cooling is necessary, and in which areas. For instance, they could avoid wasting energy on unoccupied floors with no meetings scheduled. These capabilities not only boost operational efficiency but also support broader ESG goals by reducing energy consumption and costs.
As Paul Tuthill, UC & Network Integration Manager at proAV, notes:
“At the moment, if you want to make a small change with heating or cooling, that’s the main blocker in workplace design. Quantum computing will be able to process that almost instantly in real time and actually see it in 3D.”
Optimising IoT Ecosystems
Smart workplaces rely on networks of IoT devices such as occupancy sensors, motion detectors, and environmental monitors to deliver intelligent, automated experiences. Quantum technology can enhance how these networks operate by enabling faster, real-time analysis of the data they generate. This allows devices to respond more efficiently, improving coordination and reducing delays when adjusting lighting, triggering media systems, or controlling climate. Quantum algorithms also support optimised energy use not just at the system level, but at the individual device level, contributing to leaner infrastructure and more sustainable operations. These advancements help create environments that are not only smarter, but also more reliable and adaptive to user needs.
Enhanced Cybersecurity
Keeping Workplace Systems Secure
The rise of quantum technologies also has major implications for cybersecurity. As quantum systems become capable of solving complex problems rapidly, traditional encryption methods used in digital communication tools, control systems, and connected platforms may no longer be secure. This presents serious risks for organisations that depend on encrypted data to manage meetings, events, or sensitive client information.
Quantum cryptography provides a future-ready solution by using the laws of quantum physics to protect data. Unlike conventional encryption that depends on algorithms, quantum encryption can detect any attempt to intercept a signal in real time. If interference is detected, the system automatically discards the compromised key and generates a new, secure one before continuing. This process works like a deeper form of two-factor authentication, ensuring that communication channels remain protected end-to-end.
In interconnected environments where video calls, room scheduling systems, signage, and media servers operate together, this level of security is essential. It ensures data integrity, safeguards client confidentiality, and protects long-term infrastructure. As the technology matures, adopting quantum-resilient protocols such as post-quantum encryption will be key to maintaining secure, high-performance systems.
Advancing Unified Communications and Collaboration
Smarter, Seamless, and More Inclusive Interactions
Quantum capabilities open up new possibilities for how teams connect, collaborate, and share information across regions and platforms. For
organisations operating across international markets, language differences can
complicate communication. Quantum technology could power real-time language
translation, allowing flowing multilingual interaction during meetings,
training sessions, and client calls without the lag or inaccuracy seen in
current tools. By enabling live translation on both sides of a conversation,
businesses can eliminate language barriers, build new partnerships, and deliver more inclusive collaboration.
As immersive technologies like XR and VR continue to gain traction, quantum-enhanced systems could also support real-time translation in these virtual environments. For example, participants in a virtual training session could receive translated content live, just as they would in a physical meeting room. Looking further ahead, we could see quantum-powered systems enabling fully immersive meeting experiences without the need for headsets, using life-sized holographic projections or virtual presence setups that replicate the feeling of being in the same room. These advancements could redefine global engagement and training in more intuitive and impactful ways.
Accelerating Research and Development
Faster Planning, Smarter Design
This emerging technology is also poised to accelerate innovation by enhancing simulation capabilities. Planning AV installations and technology rollouts in complex environments can be time-consuming and prone to trial-and-error. Simulations powered by quantum systems can model various configurations and scenarios more efficiently, helping teams identify the most effective solution faster. This reduces delays, minimises errors, and cuts costs.
“The ability to real-time render AV and workplace designs will change how clients interact with spaces,” says Paul Tuthill, UC & Network Integration Manager at proAV. “They could see immediate adjustments, with all calculations for load-bearing walls, lighting, and cooling systems accounted for.”
Even when a design seems finalised, running it through a quantum-based simulation can help test its performance against real-world conditions before implementation. Quantum computing could also simulate more accurate environmental factors like sun paths, glare, or heat distribution, helping designers avoid costly layout issues and optimise comfort from the start. These insights ensure the proposed solution is technically sound, aligned with user expectations, and optimised for the specific space.
Conclusion
While quantum computing is still in its early stages, its potential to transform how technology is used in the workplace is becoming increasingly evident. It’s also highly likely that for most of us, our first interaction with any quantum technology will happen in the workplace. From enabling smarter infrastructure and securing sensitive communications to enhancing collaboration and accelerating innovation, the opportunities are far-reaching. While this blog focuses on workplace applications, the same principles apply across other sectors such as retail, live events, and theme parks, where AV experiences are becoming more immersive, responsive, and data-driven. Organisations that begin exploring its applications today will be better equipped to adapt, lead, and thrive in a fast-changing digital landscape. Staying informed, aligning with future-ready strategies, and identifying high-impact use cases will be key to unlocking the full potential of quantum computing in the years ahead.
Share