Quantum Meets 2024 Plenary PART 3A INSIGHTS
Presented with a scientific, engineering, and commercial challenge unlike any other in history, key players from the quantum industry came to the fore to brainstorm, engage and explore quantum implementation strategies during day three, the Plenary Day of Quantum Meets 2024. The whole industry is in agreement that innovations in quantum and international collaborations between engineers, developers, businesses and scientific institutions could be the most “positive disruptive power that leads to improved lives, a richer, more sustainable economy, a healthier planet – and an even deeper understanding of our universe, where quantum solutions solve global challenges that contribute to a sustainable future.”
QUANTUM MEETS ECOSYSTEM MISSION UNFOLDS
As the quantum ecosystem mission unfolded to, “achieve profound societal impact with deep technological innovation, connecting professionals within the field of quantum and beyond to learn, collaborate and accomplish even more together,” our Founder declared herself to be in “Quantum heaven” and immersed herself in the vibrant quantum community, participating in animated discussions with members of academia, technology developers, start-up leaders and associated professionals.
An intelligently curated Plenary Day programme assessed real-world applications for economic and societal prosperity for all. As the Quantum industry calls out for the need to have thousands of logical qubits available to run applications, day three of the summit examined how qubit quality and fidelity can be improved.
An enthused Co-Founder & Executive Board Member of Quantum Delta NL (QDNL), Jesse Robbers who also acts as Director of Industry & Digital Infrastructure, lead the “Future of Your Digital Infrastructure” session and elaborated upon the National Agenda for Quantum: to foster growth in the application of the technology amongst start ups and to encourage open calls not addressed in the current ecosystem. The conference opened up with references to Quantum infrastructure challenges including delivery into full stack development processes that combine hardware developed alongside software applications.
OLIVIER EZRATTY SHINES THROUGH
Other issues raised include the QCI (Quality, Conformance, Inspection), test bed facility and how to ensure this was converted into functioning in an operational setting. Quantum has traditionally been deployed as an essential technology for securing medical data, however Jesse Robbers alongside other prominent speakers including Olivier Ezratty, proclaimed that to ensure the wider population is ready for the Quantum age, the technology will need to expand beyond the medical sector and Government where typically, QKD integration for end users is the preferred route for secure data transfer within Government networks.
Olivier Ezratty, “Decode Quantum” podcast co-host (alongside analyst and journalist Fanny Bouton) and celebrated technology author and consultant mesmerized the audience with his energetic overview of the Quantum landscape today and current opportunities. Ezratty spoke on behalf of the (French) School of Engineering and Computer Science EPITA (l’École Pour l’Informatique et les Techniques Avancées). Ezratty asserted in his session, “Quantum This Decade: How Today’s World Will Impact the Quantum Industry’s Trajectory,” that the European Union has declared the need for a Quantum Communication infrastructure, whilst as reported by the European Quantum Industry Consortium (QuIC), on 7th June 2024, “the United Nations has now declared 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ).”
THE UNITED NATIONS 2025 QUANTUM DECLARATION
“The U.N.’s declaration encourages individuals, groups, schools, institutions, and governments to seize the opportunity to enhance awareness about quantum science and technology throughout 2025. The IYQ Steering Committee is planning a series of global initiatives and events aimed at engaging audiences who may not yet recognize the crucial role of quantum science and technology.”
Jesse Robbers equally attested that “The Time is Now for Quantum,” whilst acknowledging that operating a QKD network has its challenges such as new functionality requirements for staging networks that undertake specific computational roles. Quantum delivery and its impact that generates full integration vendor diagnostics support with open source stack for code base must also be addressed. An open network suitable for certification is currently in development South of Eindhoven and has featured as a key source for validation of Quantum enabled devices and the deployment of various models crucial for the adoption of QKD as highlighted by Robbers. The conclusion of this opening session was that taking the test bed out of the University setting was paramount.