This article introduces a novel Quantum-inspired Future Search Algorithm (QFSA), an innovative amalgamation of the classical Future Search Algorithm (FSA) and principles of quantum mechanics. The QFSA was formulated to enhance both exploration and exploitation capabilities, aiming to pinpoint the optimal solution more effectively. A rigorous evaluation was conducted using seven distinct benchmark functions, and the results were juxtaposed with five renowned algorithms from existing literature. Quantitatively, the QFSA outperformed its counterparts in a majority of the tested scenarios, indicating its superior efficiency and reliability. In the subsequent phase, the utility of QFSA was explored in the realm of fault detection in underground power cables. An Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was devised to identify and categorize faults in these cables. By integrating QFSA with ANN, a hybrid model, QFSA-ANN, was developed to optimize the network’s structure. The dataset, curated from MATLAB simulations, comprised diverse fault types at varying distances. The ANN structure had two primary units: one for fault location and another for detection. These units were fed with nine input parameters, including phase- currents and voltages, current and voltage values from zero sequences, and voltage angles from negative sequences. The optimal architecture of the ANN was determined by varying the number of neurons in the first and second hidden layers and fine-tuning the learning rate. To assert the efficacy of the QFSA-ANN model, it was tested under multiple fault conditions. A comparative analysis with established methods in the literature further accentuated its robustness in terms of fault detection and location accuracy. this research not only augments the field of search algorithms with QFSA but also showcases its practical application in enhancing fault detection in power distribution systems. Quantitative metrics, detailed in the main article, solidify the claim of QFSA-ANN’s superiority over conventional methods.