Recently, in April 2025, ‘Quantum technologies: how to bet and get it right from Spain and the EU’ was published, a paper by Real Instituto Elcano and Tecnalia written by Íñigo Arizaga, Guillermo Gil, Ana Ayerbe, Judith Arnal and Raquel Jorge Ricart which, in a precise way, gives the keys for Europe, and specifically Spain, to adopt the quantum revolution. A transformation that, in their words, can have a more transcendental impact than artificial intelligence.
In the article, the authors point out the importance of aligning and coordinating research and resources with a common goal: to take advantage of the opportunity presented by the new quantum revolution to develop new digital capabilities: "Although it will take one or two decades for these technologies to spread massively in society, the impact will certainly be impressive". With regard to Spain, they mention that the conditions must be created for the country to have a national industry of very high added value of quantum products in the medium term, preparing to digitise the industry by cultivating projects and obtaining the necessary private funding. As specific actions, they state that "it is essential for Spain to equip itself with a unique laboratory specialised in quantum chips, taking advantage of CHIPS JU instruments and, on a national scale, of the PERTE Chip".
Europe faces obstacles mentioned in the article such as the scarcity of private investment and the lack of a unified strategy. They therefore agree that the EU should adopt a more integrated approach with instruments such as the Quantum Act and the STEP Platform to enhance technological sovereignty and make the most of the quantum revolution, which includes quantum computing, communications and sensing: "The future of quantum is being written today. Those who take the initiative will lead tomorrow's economy; those who hesitate will be relegated to technological dependence".
References
Arizaga, I., Gil, G., Ayerbe, A., Arnal, J., & Jorge, R. (2025). Tecnologías cuánticas: cómo apostar y acertar desde España y la UE. Real Instituto Elcano. https://www.realinstitutoelcano.org/policy-paper/tecnologias-cuanticas-como-apostar-y-acertar-desde-espana-y-la-ue/
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