Hamburg Science Summit 2025: Going quantum? New strategies for digital leadership in Europe
Quantum tech is a rare field of European strength. While quantum networks promise secure infrastructure, quantum computers may soon break current encryption. Can Europe harness the benefits, manage the risks, and stay ahead as global competition intensifies?
Quantum technologies are among the few fields where Europe remains highly competitive in R&I — in sharp contrast to other domains such as AI or cloud computing. Ambitious programmes in Germany, France and at EU level aim to enable the current leap from research experiments to real-world applications. Yet these developments raise crucial questions. On the one hand, efforts to build a European quantum internet promise a highly secure digital infrastructure, enabling data exchange protected by the laws of quantum physics. On the other, quantum computers could soon break the encryption underpinning today’s internet — with far-reaching implications for data privacy, the financial sector and national security. How can Europe prepare for both the promise and the disruption? And how can it safeguard its lead as global investment accelerates?
- Claudia Eckert President, acatech – National Academy of Science and Engineering
- Georges-Olivier Reymond Co-Founder and Chief of Strategic Alliances, Pasqal
- Stephanie Wehner Director, Quantum Internet Alliance
- Moderated by Monika Jones
