# Quantum computing could upend how governments plan, model and decide — sooner than expected

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/transform-gov-the-digital-government-podcast-6921732/quantum-computing-could-upend-how-governments-plan-model-and-decide-sooner-than-expected
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/transform-gov-the-digital-government-podcast-6921732/quantum-computing-could-upend-how-governments-plan-model-and-decide-sooner-than-expected.md
Podcast: [Transform Gov - the digital government podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/transform-gov-the-digital-government-podcast-6921732)
Published: 2026-02-12T13:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://digitalgovawards.com/podcast/
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/6654b705d950260012df3b93/e/698a1f83d2345f67c3090437/media.mp3
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Duration seconds: 1673

## Resource

Quantum computing is often described as “next-generation” technology — but according to Equal1 CEO Jason Lynch, it’s much closer, more practical, and more relevant to government than most people realise. In this episode of Transform Gov, Jason explains quantum computing in plain English, why it follows AI rather than replaces it, and how it could transform public services — from climate modelling and flooding prediction to healthcare, logistics and national infrastructure planning. We also explore why waiting until quantum “arrives” may already be too late for CIOs, and what public-sector leaders should be doing now to prepare. Topic timeline 00:01 – What quantum computing actually is (without the jargon) 03:10 – Why AI is hitting limits: energy, cost and sustainability 04:30 – Healthcare, drugs and why we still don’t know how paracetamol works 06:20 – Optimisation problems governments can’t solve today 08:00 – Why Equal1’s data-centre approach changes everything 11:40 – Why ESA became Equal1’s first customer 15:40 – What CIOs should be planning for now 17:50 – Quantum, security and post-quantum cryptography 20:40 – Digital sovereignty and Europe’s quantum future 25:00 – What citizens may notice in five years’ time quantum computing explained, quantum computing government, public sector technology, digital government podcast, future of computing, AI and quantum, government innovation what is quantum computing, how quantum computing affects government, quantum vs AI, when will quantum computing be used, quantum computing public services Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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