During her parliamentary confirmation hearing, Henna Virkkunen, the new EU technology chief, made a strong case for Europe’s leadership in quantum technologies. As Executive Vice President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, Virkkunen outlined an ambitious vision for Europe, promising to launch a long-term EU Quantum Chips Plan to boost Europe’s quantum capabilities. She also spoke of introducing a Quantum Act to address fragmentation in the European quantum market and ensure the EU can pool resources and make big investments needed to lead globally.
- Virkkunen is due to join the European Commission as the Executive Vice President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy for the next five years.
- Virkkunen makes a strong case for quantum to bolster EU sovereignty.
- A possible new Quantum Act could address fragmentation in Europe’s quantum market.
Virkkunen emphasized the need for a unified approach to quantum technology, highlighting that while Europe boasts world-class researchers, individual Member States have their quantum strategies. The European Quantum Industry Consortium, led by Dr Thierry Botter, strongly supports Virkkunen’s proposal to strengthen the EU’s position in the growing global quantum economy and establish Europe as a central hub for quantum development.
Quantum Technologies: A Key to Europe’s Sovereignty
Henna Virkkunen, the newly appointed Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy at the European Commission, has made a strong case for Europe’s leadership in quantum technologies. During her parliamentary confirmation hearing, she emphasized the importance of quantum technologies in bolstering EU sovereignty and competitiveness.
The Need for a Unified Approach
Virkkunen highlighted the European quantum market fragmentation, where individual Member States have their own quantum strategies. She stressed the need for a unified approach to quantum technology, pooling resources and coordinating efforts across the EU to maximize the potential for quantum innovation. To address this, Virkkunen discussed the possibility of a comprehensive Quantum Plan, potentially followed by a Quantum Act, to streamline investments and collaboration.
Safeguarding Europe’s Technological Assets
Virkkunen emphasized the need for the EU to address target technology leakages, including in critical areas like quantum. She highlighted the importance of safeguarding Europe’s technological assets by reducing dependencies, securing supply chains, and ensuring that advances in quantum and other frontier technologies remain protected.
The Quantum Flagship Strategic Research and Industry Agenda
The Quantum Flagship Strategic Research and Industry Agenda SRIA 2030 roadmap calls for an end to reliance on outside nations to develop essential components and hardware. It aims to position Europe as the world’s first ‘Quantum Valley.’ Virkkunen’s words echoed this vision, emphasizing the critical importance of quantum technologies in her mission alongside AI, cloud, and space technologies.
Critical to Competitiveness
Virkkunen emphasized that “Technological leadership is crucial for our competitiveness”. This remark echoed her earlier written response that quantum technology is “critical to the EU’s sovereignty, competitiveness, and defense capacities” on the global stage. She plans to collaborate with Member States and key European industry players to accelerate the growth of the EU’s quantum ecosystem, attract investment, and drive the industrialization of quantum technologies.
Dr. Thierry Botter, Executive Director of the European Quantum Industry Consortium (QuIC), welcomed Virkkunen’s proposal, stating that it would strengthen the EU’s position in the growing global quantum economy, establishing Europe as a central hub for quantum development.
The European Declaration on Quantum Technologies
The European Declaration on Quantum Technologies was launched on 6 December 2023. It aims to position Europe as the leading region globally for quantum excellence and innovation and sets the stage for greater EU cooperation, investment, and innovation in this critical field.
With quantum technologies poised to disrupt industries, transform economies, and address global challenges, the EU stands ready to harness its transformative potential.
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