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The European Commission’s forthcoming Quantum Strategy* (*at time of writing) is set to reshape Europe’s approach to quantum technologies and reaffirm the block’s ambition for global leadership in the field. While Europe retains a competitive edge – bolstered by strong academic foundations, a vibrant start-up ecosystem, and major public investments – the window of opportunity is narrowing. As global investment accelerates, with U.S. quantum funding tripling in recent years, Europe’s own investment levels have declined by 40%. Against this backdrop, the discussion will explore how regulation and governance can support the development of a balanced, strategically aligned, and future-oriented quantum ecosystem. Panelists will reflect on the scope and ambition of the upcoming Strategy, assess whether the proposed measures go far enough, and consider how they contribute to the Digital Decade 2030 targets. The session will also address Europe’s long-term commitment to becoming the Quantum Valley of the world—a hub of excellence, innovation, and industrial leadership in quantum technologies.

• How are the forthcoming EU Quantum Strategy and Quantum Act expected to contribute to building a more unified, strategically coordinated quantum ecosystem across Europe?
  
• What practical steps can be taken to better align fragmented national quantum programmes with overarching EU priorities and goals?
  
• Do stakeholders feel the proposed Strategy will go far enough to create a globally competitive and cohesive quantum landscape in Europe? What key challenges may hinder successful implementation and how can these be overcome?
  
• What roles should the European Commission, Member State governments, and the private sector respectively play in ensuring coordinated delivery and long-term success?
  
• How can existing initiatives, including the Quantum Technologies Flagship, EuroQCI, and the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC),
• contribute to a more connected and resilient European quantum ecosystem? How will these initiatives work in harmony with the forthcoming Act and Strategy?
  
• What are the biggest challenges facing the development of a skilled quantum workforce in Europe?
  
• How can Europe ensure open yet secure quantum innovation while maintaining its strategic autonomy?
  
• Given the decline in quantum investment across Europe last year, what role should EU-level funding play in stabilising and scaling long-term quantum development – and how can this be effectively balanced with national contributions and private capital?
  
• One year on from the inaugural Quantum Europe Conference, how close is Europe to realising its ambition of becoming the world’s ‘Quantum Valley’?

As quantum technology transitions from research labs to real-world deployment, leading European companies are actively integrating quantum solutions to solve complex industrial challenges. From pharmaceutical breakthroughs and materials science to aerospace optimisation and financial modeling, businesses across sectors are leveraging quantum computing, sensing, and secure communications to gain a competitive edge. This session will showcase tangible success stories, providing a platform for industry leaders to highlight their quantum adoption strategies, implementation milestones, and lessons learned. Panelists will explore how quantum technology is enhancing operational efficiency and driving innovation, while also addressing the pressing challenges of commercial scalability, investment strategies, and the evolving regulatory landscape. With Europe positioning itself as a global quantum leader, discussions will examine the pathways to industrial-scale deployment and how businesses can future-proof themselves for the quantum era. 

This is an opportunity to celebrate real world applications of quantum technology.

• What are the most significant technical and operational barriers preventing broader industry adoption of quantum computing, sensing, and communications in Europe and beyond?
  
• How are companies navigating challenges such as infrastructure readiness, talent shortages, and the transition from research environments to commercial deployment?
  
• What lessons can be drawn from other deep-tech sectors in successfully bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and real-world application?
  
• How soon might we see quantum technologies reach mainstream adoption across key industries, and what factors will accelerate or delay this transition?
  
• Which emerging breakthroughs and trends have the potential to reshape how quantum technologies are integrated into business and society?
  
• What practical steps should companies take today to ensure they are quantum-ready in the coming decade, from workforce planning to strategic investment?

As the EU accelerates its leadership in next-generation technologies, quantum communication is emerging as a strategic priority for enhancing cybersecurity, digital resilience, and technological sovereignty. At the heart of this effort is the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI), a major initiative to deploy a secure, pan-European quantum communication network integrating both terrestrial fibre-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems and satellite-based links. Developed in close collaboration with EU Member States, the European Commission, and the European Space Agency, EuroQCI aims to safeguard critical infrastructure and governmental communications, support the development of a future quantum internet, and reinforce Europe’s position as a global leader in quantum-secure communications. This session will explore the progress, priorities, and policy frameworks shaping quantum communication in the EU, including the role of EuroQCI within broader strategic initiatives like the Digital Decade, EU Quantum Strategy, and IRIS². Panelists will examine the technical, industrial, and geopolitical dimensions of building a trusted and secure quantum communication ecosystem across Europe.

• What are the core goals of the EuroQCI initiative, and how do they align with broader EU digital and security strategies such as the Digital Decade and EU Quantum Strategy?
  
• How does EuroQCI fit into Europe’s long-term ambitions for digital sovereignty and strategic autonomy in critical communication infrastructure?
  
• How can EuroQCI contribute to Europe’s long-term cyber resilience, particularly in the face of future quantum-enabled threats to classical encryption systems?
  
• What progress has been made in the development and deployment of EuroQCI’s terrestrial and satellite segments, and what are the next key milestones?
• How can the EU ensure interoperability and standardisation of QKD systems across Member States?
• What role will satellite-based quantum links play in complementing fibre-optic infrastructure, particularly for remote or cross-border communication?
  
• What are the most significant technical challenges in building a secure and scalable quantum communication network, and how are they being addressed?
  
• What is the role of national governments versus EU-level coordination in managing spectrum, authorisation, and regulatory oversight for quantum communication?
  
• How is the EU working with international bodies such as ETSI, ITU, and ISO to develop global standards and frameworks for quantum communication?

As quantum computing continues to advance, it brings both unprecedented challenges and transformative opportunities for cybersecurity. While still in its early stages, the emergence of cryptographically relevant quantum computers (CRQCs) raises concerns about their potential to break widely used encryption methods, enabling threats such as ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ attacks and authentication vulnerabilities. At the same time, quantum technologies offer solutions to fortify cybersecurity, with innovations such as Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), and Quantum Random Number Generation (QRNGs) paving the way for a more resilient digital infrastructure. This panel will explore the dual impact of quantum computing on cybersecurity, addressing both the risks and the safeguards required to ensure long-term cyber resilience.

• What are the immediate and long-term implications of quantum technologies for cybersecurity?
  
• To what extent are those issues addressed in NIS2 and the European Cyber Security Strategy, as well as the recently released Quantum Act?
  
• How can Europe best prepare for an era where CRQCs are readily available?
• What role will PQC, QKD, and QRNGs play in protecting digital security, and what barriers exist to their widespread adoption?
• Following the European Commission’s Recommendation on PQC transition, what lessons can be drawn from national initiatives across EU Member States?
  
• What concrete steps can organisations take today to prepare for the quantum age and enhance cryptographic agility?

As the United Nations (UN) International Year of Quantum progresses, quantum technologies continue to gain prominence as a strategic priority for nations worldwide, with significant investments in research, development, and commercialization. Given the complex nature of these technologies, alongside supply chain challenges, high costs, and evolving standards, it seems likely that global collaboration will prove key to unlocking the full potential of quantum technologies. Accordingly, this session will explore Europe’s position within the global quantum ecosystem, addressing how the bloc can balance international cooperation with digital sovereignty ambitions. Panelists will examine the importance of trade partnerships, supply chain security, export controls, and regulatory frameworks, as well as how Europe can engage with international stakeholders, including developing economies, to drive quantum innovation forward. 

• How important are international collaborations and partnerships like those seen at the EU–Korea strategic cooperation on quantum technologies?
• How can the EU reconcile its need for global collaboration in quantum technologies with its aspirations for digital sovereignty?
  
• What role will the forthcoming EU Quantum Strategy and Act play in shaping Europe’s approach to global collaboration? How should the EU Quantum Strategy and Act address geopolitical challenges in quantum technology development?
  
• How does Europe’s approach to quantum development compare to major global players? Where do opportunities exist for deeper international partnerships?
  
• How vulnerable is the global quantum supply chain? What steps should Europe take to reduce reliance on non-EU suppliers while fostering a trusted, resilient ecosystem?
  
• How should the EU shape regulatory frameworks for quantum technology imports and exports? How can policies balance strategic autonomy with the needs of Europe’s start-up ecosystem?
  
• What role does standardisation play in fostering innovation and competitiveness? How can Europe safeguard intellectual property in global or regional agreements?
  
• How can intergovernmental initiatives like the Quantum Flagship’s International Cooperation program enhance global partnerships?