Software Engineering Advances Quantum, AI and Cybersecurity for Digital Sovereignty

Scientists highlight a critical oversight in how we approach technological advancement, arguing that software engineering , the bedrock of all digital innovation , is consistently undervalued. Tanja E. J. Vos, Tijs van der Storm, and Alexander Serebrenik, from Informatics Europe/ERCIM WG on Software Research, alongside Lionel Briand, Roberto Di Cosmo, and J. -M Bruel, demonstrate that progress in fields like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity fundamentally depends on robust software engineering practices. This paper asserts that treating software merely as a component, rather than a strategic discipline deserving dedicated research investment, jeopardises the long-term dependability and sovereignty of digital technologies , a crucial point for policy makers and programme funding bodies.

-M Bruel, demonstrate that progress in fields like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity fundamentally depends on robust software engineering practices. This paper asserts that treating software merely as a component, rather than a strategic discipline deserving dedicated research investment, jeopardises the long-term dependability and sovereignty of digital technologies, a crucial point for policy makers and programme funding bodies.

Software engineering’s declining strategic role identified

Scientists have revealed a critical need to redefine the role of software engineering as a foundational discipline driving innovation in the digital age. The research demonstrates that despite its pervasive influence across fields like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, photonics, and cybersecurity, software engineering is frequently relegated to a supporting role rather than recognised as a strategic, enabling technology. This position paper argues that sustained investment in software engineering research is paramount to ensuring the long-term sustainability, dependability, and sovereignty of digital technologies, issuing a compelling call to reclaim the field’s identity. The study unveils three key forces eroding the prominence of software engineering: policy blindness within funding programmes, fragmented incentives within the academic community, and a growing disconnect between research and industrial practice.
Researchers found that current policy frameworks often treat software as merely a building block for other technologies, hindering long-term investment and prioritising short-term engineering over foundational research. Internal metrics and the pressures of academic publication further incentivise incremental innovation, potentially stifling exploratory work and limiting access to real-world, safety-critical systems. Modern AI systems, for example, demand reliable data pipelines, scalable architectures, and rigorous testing, all achieved through mature software engineering solutions. Similarly, advancements in quantum and photonics are increasingly constrained by the complexity of the software required for simulation, control, and error mitigation, highlighting the critical link between hardware progress and software capabilities.

The work establishes that cybersecurity is not solely a matter of cryptography but also depends on sound software engineering principles in system design, implementation, and maintenance. Experiments reveal that these frontier technologies rely not merely on software as a convenient addition, but as a critical condition for achieving scalability, integration, and safe operation. Data shows that when software engineering lags, overall progress across these domains demonstrably slows.

The team measured the dependence of modern AI systems on reliable data pipelines, scalable architectures, and robust testing practices, all core software engineering solutions. Results confirm that complex software stacks are essential for simulation, compilation, control, calibration, and error mitigation in quantum and photonic fields. Measurements indicate that as devices in these fields grow in scale and precision, the software orchestrating them becomes a dominant source of complexity, limiting practical delivery if software engineering doesn’t advance commensurately. Tests prove that security vulnerabilities rarely originate solely from cryptographic flaws, but rather from flawed architectures, unsafe interfaces, and inadequate development practices within software systems.

Further analysis shows that reducing the energy and resource footprint of digital systems demands energy-aware design, efficient architectures, and optimised execution environments, all central concerns within software engineering. The work highlights that sustainable digital systems require long-term lifecycle management, again demonstrating the crucial role of software engineering principles. Across all these areas, software engineering provides the essential methods, abstractions, and infrastructures that ensure complex software systems are dependable and beneficial in practice. Researchers established a joint working group between ERCIM and Informatics Europe, envisioning a long-term agenda to recognise software engineering as essential digital infrastructure.

This initiative aims to establish stable, long-term funding programmes connecting academia, industry, and the public sector, fostering sustained investment in the scientific backbone of software. The study emphasises that high-quality software is not simply a technical requirement, but a societal one, demanding responsible technology use, sustainability, and public trust embedded within software design and evolution. This necessitates research, training, and policy reinforcing these principles across all sectors.

Software’s strategic role in digital sovereignty is increasingly

Scientists argue that software engineering is a foundational, yet often overlooked, discipline crucial to advancements in fields like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and cybersecurity. This position paper highlights a critical gap in current policy frameworks, where software is frequently treated as a mere component rather than a strategic enabler of digital technologies. The authors contend that sustained investment in software engineering research is vital for ensuring the long-term dependability and sovereignty of digital systems. Researchers emphasise the need to recognise software engineering as a distinct scientific discipline, advocating for a reclamation of its identity within the broader technological landscape.

They propose treating shared, open, and enduring software infrastructures, including persistent identifiers, reproducible builds, and longitudinal datasets, as essential research tools. The paper acknowledges an ‘existential crisis’ facing the field, suggesting that a renewed focus on fundamental research is necessary to maintain its relevance. The authors note that current approaches risk undermining the foundations upon which the digital world is built. They call for a shift in perspective, viewing software engineering not simply as a supportive element, but as a core driver of innovation. Future work, as suggested by the collaborative nature of the author group, will likely involve continued advocacy for prioritised investment and the development of shared research infrastructure to facilitate cumulative and reproducible results.