The episode explores Europe’s position in the global quantum computing race, highlighting both its strong research base and challenges in scaling and commercialization compared to the U.S. and China. Experts discuss the transformative potential of quantum technology for industries like pharmaceuticals and cybersecurity, emphasizing the urgent need for investment, talent retention, and quantum-safe encryption as the field rapidly advances.
The episode of “Bloomberg Tech: Europe” focuses on the rapid advancements and high-stakes competition in quantum computing, highlighting its potential to revolutionize industries such as drug discovery, cybersecurity, finance, and national defense. The program opens by emphasizing quantum computing’s fundamentally different architecture compared to classical computers, allowing it to process data at unprecedented speeds. Notably, a quantum processor built by Alphabet (Google) solved a problem in minutes that would take traditional supercomputers billions of years, underscoring the transformative potential of the technology.
A significant portion of the discussion centers on Europe’s position in the global quantum race, particularly against the U.S. and China. The CEO of IQM Quantum Computers, a leading European quantum startup, argues that Europe has a strong foundation in quantum research and a large number of startups, but lacks the scale and industry engagement seen in the U.S. He stresses the importance of Europe controlling its own quantum supply chain to maintain technological sovereignty and avoid dependencies similar to those seen in the AI sector. The conversation also highlights the need for better execution and commercialization strategies within Europe.
The episode features a roundtable with leaders from top European quantum companies: Carmen Palacios-Berraquero (NuQuantum), Ashley Montanaro (Phasecraft), and Steve Brierley (Riverlane). They agree that 2025 marked a turning point for the industry, with significant improvements in qubit performance and increased investment. However, the main challenge remains scaling up quantum computers to a size where they can deliver real commercial value. Error correction is identified as a critical hurdle, as current quantum devices can only perform a limited number of operations before errors accumulate, but advances in quantum error correction are narrowing the gap toward practical applications.
The panelists discuss the industries likely to benefit first from quantum computing, such as pharmaceuticals and materials science, where quantum computers can simulate complex molecules and materials far beyond the capabilities of classical computers. They also address concerns about Europe’s ability to retain its intellectual property and talent, noting that while the U.S. remains a strong commercializer, Europe can compete by fostering a robust talent pipeline, increasing investment, and ensuring government support for the sector. The UK’s recent commitment of £1 billion to quantum computing is cited as a positive step.
Finally, the conversation turns to the security implications of quantum computing, particularly its potential to break current encryption standards. The panel underscores the urgency for industries and standards bodies to transition to quantum-safe encryption, as the arrival of large-scale quantum computers could render existing cryptography obsolete within the next decade. The episode concludes by highlighting the need for Europe to scale its quantum ecosystem, commercialize its innovations, and maintain a leading role in this transformative technological race.