In 1927, 29 scientists gathered for the 5th Solvay Conference at the Institut International de Physique Solvay, located in Parc Leopold right next to the present site of the European Parliament in Brussels. Including household names like Albert Einstein and Marie Skłodowska-Curie, most were European, and 17 were or would become Nobel Prizes winners. The conference was dedicated to the then nascent field of quantum theory, the physics of very small scales, which is behind such modern-world applications as lasers or transistors. We are now on the brink of a second quantum revolution: beyond simply understanding the quantum world, we are able to manipulate it. The potential future applications of this quantum technology are staggering: from ultra-fast computers to tamper-proof communications, from novel simulations of drug molecules to new industrial processes that vastly cut down on CO2 emissions.
It is important for Europe to be at the forefront of this new revolution, much as it was in the discovery of quantum mechanics. The European Union strongly supports research in this field, in particular through the Quantum Technologies Flagship. It is also supporting the deployment of quantum computers through the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, and promoting the development of a European quantum communication infrastructure through the EuroQCI initiative. Ultimately, it is necessary to translate this research excellence into real-world applications. The past few years have seen the appearance of a substantial number of quantum technology related start-ups, and the upcoming Chips Act will play a crucial role in promoting the production of quantum chips in Europe.
This STOA workshop will review the state-of-the-art of Europe’s quantum hardware and software, and show how alignment between its different initiatives can secure a leadership role for Europe across the entire quantum technology ecosystem.
Programme
14:30 – 14:40: Welcome – Ivars IJABS, MEP and STOA Second Vice-Chair
14:40 – 15:20: Remarks by European Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe VESTAGER on the European Chips Act and Quantum Technologies followed by questions and answers (moderated by Ivars IJABS, MEP and STOA Second Vice-Chair)
Session one – Science, Technology and Innovation leaders for policymakers
15:20 – 15:35: Scientific keynote speech on Quantum software
Andris AMBAINIS, University of Latvia, Latvia
15:35 – 15:50: Scientific keynote speech on Quantum hardware
Tracy NORTHUP, University of Innsbruck, Austria
15:50 – 16:05: The perspective of European quantum industry
Laure LE BARS, European Quantum Industry Consortium – QuIC
16:05 – 16:20: The European infrastructure for quantum computing and simulation: an RTO perspective
Kristel MICHIELSEN, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany
16:20 – 16:35: The European infrastructure for quantum computing and simulation: a quantum startup perspective
Olivier TONNEAU, Partner, Quantonation, France
16:35 – 17:05: Networking break
Session two – Policymakers for Science, Technology and Innovation
17:05 – 17:50: Panel discussion on the “European Chips Act”
Panellists:
• Lina GÁLVEZ MUÑOZ, MEP and STOA Panel member
• Eva MAYDELL, MEP
• Dan NICA, MEP
• Roberto VIOLA, Director-General, Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CNECT), European Commission
• Sabrina MANISCALCO, University of Helsinki and Co-founder and CEO, Algorithmiq Ltd., Finland
• Johanna SEPULVEDA, Airbus Defence and Space, Germany
Moderation: Tommaso CALARCO, EU Quantum Flagship
17:50 – 18:00: Closing remarks – Christian EHLER, MEP and STOA Chair
The event will be held in English only, without interpretation.