Quantum for Good: Shaping the future of quantum – What happens next?

Summary

Leandro Aolita, chief researcher of the Quantum Research Center at the Technology Innovation Institute in Abu Dhabi, delivered the closing session of the first-ever Quantum Track at the AI for Good event, discussing the current state and future of quantum technology. He contextualized quantum development within historical technological revolutions, explaining how the Industrial Revolution was enabled by classical physics discoveries, while the first quantum revolution in the 20th century brought us transistors, lasers, and atomic clocks that made the digital age possible. Now, humanity stands at the cusp of a second quantum technology revolution, characterized by three main applications: quantum computation, quantum communications, and quantum sensing, all requiring unprecedented control over single atoms and particles of light.

Aolita outlined quantum computing’s potential applications, including molecular simulations for drug discovery and materials science, more efficient nitrogen fixation processes, computational fluid dynamics for engineering, and quantum AI for machine learning and optimization problems. However, he emphasized the challenge of distinguishing genuine progress from hype in a field marked by trillion-dollar market predictions and volatile investor sentiment. His center in Abu Dhabi addresses this through rigorous application-driven R&D, having grown to 93 team members and produced 158 publications, 18 products in development, and five patents since 2020.

The institute takes a full-stack approach, developing superconducting qubit chips with in-house fabrication capabilities, quantum algorithms, middleware software called Kibo, quantum key distribution systems, and quantum sensors for various applications including oil exploration and medical imaging. Aolita concluded that while the quantum revolution will disrupt information processing and cybersecurity, success requires continued bold R&D investment, international collaboration, and immediate migration to quantum-safe encryption schemes to prepare for future quantum computing capabilities.

Keypoints

**Major Discussion Points:**

– **Historical Context of Quantum Revolutions**: The speaker traces the evolution from the Industrial Revolution through the first quantum technology revolution (transistors, lasers) to the current second quantum revolution, emphasizing how each was enabled by breakthroughs in physics and scientific understanding.

– **Three Pillars of Second Quantum Revolution**: Detailed explanation of quantum computing (for molecular simulations, engineering applications, and AI), quantum communications (physics-guaranteed encryption and quantum key distribution), and quantum sensing (ultra-precise measurements for various industries).

– **Separating Hype from Reality**: Discussion of the challenge in discerning genuine quantum advances from market speculation, emphasizing that bold R&D is the only way to cut through the noise of trillion-dollar market predictions and conflicting expert opinions.

– **TII Abu Dhabi’s Full-Stack Approach**: Comprehensive overview of the Quantum Research Center’s capabilities, including in-house quantum chip fabrication, quantum algorithms development, middleware (Kibo platform), photonics lab, and quantum sensing applications across multiple industries.

– **Future Challenges and Collaborative Needs**: Emphasis on the need for continued investment in quantum algorithms research, immediate migration to quantum-safe encryption, international collaboration to avoid fragmentation, and the UAE’s strategic transition to a knowledge-based economy.

**Overall Purpose:**

This was a closing session presentation for the first-ever Quantum Track at the AI for Good event, designed to summarize the current state of quantum technology research, showcase practical applications being developed, and outline the path forward for the quantum technology revolution while advocating for continued R&D investment and international collaboration.

**Overall Tone:**

The tone was consistently professional, informative, and cautiously optimistic throughout. The speaker maintained an educational approach while balancing enthusiasm for quantum technology’s potential with realistic assessments of current limitations and challenges. There was a notable sense of pride when discussing the UAE’s achievements in quantum research, and the tone became more urgent when discussing the need for immediate action on quantum-safe encryption and collaborative approaches to avoid technological fragmentation.

Speakers

– **Leandro Aolita** – Chief Researcher of the Quantum Research Center at the Technology Innovation Institute in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Expert in quantum technologies, quantum computing, quantum communications, and quantum sensing.

Additional speakers:

– **Gillian** – Role/title not specified, but appears to be involved in organizing the AI for Good event (mentioned as having asked Leandro to make announcements)

# Comprehensive Report: Quantum Technology Revolution – Closing Session of AI for Good Quantum Track

## Executive Summary

Leandro Aolita, Chief Researcher of the Quantum Research Centre at the Technology Innovation Institute in Abu Dhabi, delivered the closing presentation for the inaugural Quantum Track at the AI for Good event. This was the first year that the AI for Good event has a Quantum Track dedicated to UNESCO in honor of the UNESCO year of quantum. His comprehensive address contextualised the current quantum technology revolution within historical technological developments, outlined the three pillars of quantum advancement, addressed the challenge of separating genuine progress from market hype, showcased the UAE’s quantum research achievements, and provided strategic recommendations for the field’s future development.

## Historical Context and Technological Evolution

Aolita began by establishing a compelling historical framework, tracing the evolution of technological revolutions through their underlying scientific foundations. He explained how the Industrial Revolution was fundamentally enabled by breakthroughs in classical physics, particularly the understanding of thermodynamics and electromagnetism. This foundation subsequently enabled the first quantum technology revolution of the 20th century, which brought forth transistors, lasers, and atomic clocks through humanity’s growing comprehension of quantum theory.

The speaker emphasised that the digital revolution of the 1970s and 1980s was made possible by transistors—direct products of the first quantum revolution. This historical perspective served to illustrate how each technological leap builds upon previous scientific discoveries, setting the stage for understanding the current second quantum revolution.

According to Aolita, this second quantum revolution is characterised by an unprecedented level of experimental control over single atoms and particles of light. This represents a qualitative leap from previous quantum applications, requiring scientists and engineers to manipulate quantum systems at the most fundamental level.

## The Three Pillars of the Second Quantum Revolution

### Quantum Computing

Aolita outlined quantum computing as the first pillar, emphasising its potential to revolutionise computational approaches to complex problems. He detailed several key applications, including molecular simulations for drug discovery and materials science, and more efficient nitrogen fixation processes that could transform agriculture. He specifically noted that the current Haber process for nitrogen fixation is extremely energy intensive and inefficient, representing a significant opportunity for quantum improvement.

Particularly noteworthy was his discussion of quantum artificial intelligence, where quantum computers could enhance machine learning algorithms and solve optimisation problems more efficiently than classical systems. However, he stressed that quantum computers will not function as standalone machines but rather as quantum hardware accelerators within high-performance computing architectures, integrated with AI systems and classical hardware accelerators such as GPUs.

### Quantum Communications

The second pillar focuses on quantum communications, which Aolita described as offering encryption schemes with security guaranteed by the laws of physics rather than computational complexity. This represents a fundamental shift in cybersecurity approaches, moving from mathematical assumptions about computational difficulty to physical impossibilities of quantum measurement without detection.

He highlighted quantum key distribution as a practical application already being implemented, noting that his centre had achieved the first quantum key distribution demonstrations in the Arab world and established the Abu Dhabi Quantum Optical Ground Station for satellite-to-ground quantum communication.

### Quantum Sensing

The third pillar encompasses quantum sensing technologies that provide ultra-precise measurements of gravity, forces, magnetic fields, and temperature. Aolita explained how these sensors could revolutionise various industries, from oil exploration to medical imaging, by offering measurement precision far beyond what classical sensors can achieve.

## Addressing Industry Hype and Market Realities

Aolita acknowledged that the quantum sector suffers from excessive hype, with market valuations reaching into the trillions. He posed the critical question: “How do we discern what’s actually real, what’s really promising, and what is actually hype in the quantum sector?” His response was unequivocal—there are no shortcuts to understanding quantum reality beyond bold research and development and continued innovation.

The speaker offered a particularly insightful analogy from his PhD supervisor: “My PhD supervisor used to tell me, well, that’s similar to asking a baby that’s just been born what it’s going to be useful for. You need to let it grow. You need to play with it to understand where it’s going to go.” This perspective reframes the discourse around quantum technology expectations, suggesting that transformative technologies require time and experimentation to reveal their true potential.

## UAE Quantum Research Centre Achievements

Aolita provided a comprehensive overview of his centre’s accomplishments since its establishment. The Quantum Research Centre started in the middle of the first wave of COVID in 2020, with Aolita moving to Abu Dhabi in 2021. The centre has grown to almost 93 team members, 86 of which are researchers and engineers, and produced 158 publications in top-notch journals in physics, computer science, mathematics and engineering. They have 18 products in development with TRLs higher than four and five patents in progress. The centre also benefits from a superb board of advisors.

Aolita expressed particular pride in these achievements, noting that the UAE is “relatively young in terms of scientific tradition” and that they have accomplished results “that has not been seen in many countries.”

### Technical Capabilities and Infrastructure

The centre has developed a full-stack approach to quantum technology development. In quantum computing, they have created superconducting qubit chips with in-house fabrication capabilities, including a clean room for printing quantum chips. They currently have three qubits and are planning to reach five qubits by the end of the year.

The team has also developed Kibo, an open-source quantum middleware platform for quantum computing programming and control, available at kibo.science. This software contribution to the global quantum community demonstrates the centre’s commitment to collaborative development whilst building technical expertise.

In quantum communications, beyond achieving the first quantum key distribution demonstrations in the Arab world, the centre has established the Abu Dhabi Quantum Optical Ground Station located in Al-Wathba Desert, 45 minutes’ drive from Abu Dhabi downtown. This facility enables satellite-to-ground quantum communication capabilities.

For quantum sensing applications, the centre has developed sensors for various industries. They collaborate with Emirates National Energy Company for nuclear reactor applications and with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company for battery monitoring and carbon storage applications, directly addressing the UAE’s economic diversification goals whilst contributing to global quantum sensing capabilities.

The centre has also established a commercialization branch through partnership with VentureOne to translate research into practical applications.

### Mission and Approach

Aolita articulated the centre’s mission clearly: “We want to do application-driven R&D based on solid scientific grounds. We want to drive and enable deep tech business with scientific rigour.” This approach emphasises the balance between fundamental research and practical applications.

## Strategic Challenges and Future Outlook

### Algorithm Development Gap

Aolita identified a critical imbalance in current quantum research priorities, noting that even with a fault-tolerant large-scale quantum computer available today, the field lacks sufficient algorithms with confirmed exponential runtime speedups. This assessment challenges the hardware-centric focus that has dominated quantum research and calls for increased investment in quantum algorithms research.

### International Collaboration Needs

Aolita stressed the critical need for coordination between governments, industry, and academia in quantum development. He expressed concern about fragmentation and duplication of efforts across different countries and sectors, arguing for a collaborative international approach to quantum development while acknowledging the competitive pressures that drive national quantum programmes.

## Future Initiatives and Announcements

Aolita concluded his presentation with announcements of future initiatives. The quantum track will continue in 2026 in the AI for Good event, and there will be a quantum key distribution system deployment between two different cities in Geneva by ITU and UNCC (with Aolita noting he hoped he remembered the acronyms correctly). These initiatives demonstrate ongoing commitment to quantum technology advancement and international collaboration.

## Conclusions and Strategic Implications

This comprehensive presentation effectively bridged the gap between technical quantum reality and public expectations. Aolita’s balanced approach acknowledged the transformative potential of quantum technology while providing realistic assessments of current limitations and timelines. His emphasis on application-driven R&D, international collaboration, and patience with quantum development represents a mature perspective on one of technology’s most promising fields.

The UAE’s positioning as a significant quantum research hub, as demonstrated through the centre’s achievements, represents a notable development in the global quantum landscape, particularly impressive given the country’s relatively recent entry into advanced technology research and development. The centre’s full-stack approach and emphasis on practical applications positions it as a meaningful contributor to the global quantum technology ecosystem.

Leandro Aolita: Good morning, everybody. My name is Leandro Aolita. I am the chief researcher of the Quantum Research Center at the Technology Innovation Institute in Abu Dhabi. That’s the United Arab Emirates. And this is the closing session of the Quantum Track. This is the first year that the AI for Good event has a Quantum Track dedicated to UNESCO in the honor of the UNESCO year of quantum. And I’m going to tell you a little bit of what we’re doing to shape the future of quantum, both research, industry and business, and what’s next. Let me walk you through. I would like to start with a recap on human history, on how things have been in human innovation, in technology innovation and the connection to science and physics. So let me take you back to the Industrial Revolution two and a half centuries ago. And this was propelled by inventions like the steam engine, for instance, that mechanized entire industries and made everything much more efficient. And this was made possible by discoveries in physics, by breakthroughs in science. So things like, of course, thermodynamics and even classical mechanics, fluid dynamics, and at a later stage of the Industrial Revolution, also by electromagnetism. And then if we fast forward one and a half century, then we move to the first quantum technology revolution. This was marked by inventions like the transistor, the laser or atomic clocks. And these, again, were possible by discoveries in physics. In fact, they were made possible by the largest conceptual scientific revolution of human history, which was the discovery or the invention, depending on how you think of science, of quantum theory. The understanding that was required to make transistors or lasers just was possible due to understanding how matter and light works at the quantum level. And this came from the revolution of thought known by quantum theory in the beginning of the 20th century. Now where am I going with this? The first quantum revolution, and in particular the transistors, were again, in turn, what made possible the digital revolution that started in the 70s and 80s with the transition from analog to digital systems, with the availability, mass availability of microprocessors, and then later on internet, cloud computing, and continuing to these days with AI, with the internet of things, and automation. So now what is happening is that we’re at the cusp of the second quantum technology revolution. This is marked by three main applications, and you may have heard of quantum computation, quantum communications, and sensing. And the difference is now these are technologies that require not just understanding how matter and light behaves at a microscopic scale where quantum effects become evident, but also it requires the ability to experimentally control single atoms and single particles of light at an unprecedented experimental level. And this is something that has started 25 years ago, 20, 25 years ago, but it’s still unfolding. Quantum computers will be, quantum computation defined like a new model of computation, much more efficient, and also energy efficient too. There are many problems that these machines will enable, and I’ll come back to some applications. Quantum communications, they allow for encryption schemes whose security is guaranteed by the very laws of physics. And then you have quantum sensing, where you have ultra-precise sensors for gravity, for forces, for magnetic fields, and even temperature that will have impact on a variety of industries. These figures that I show here, except for the central one, which is a diagrammatic representation, these figures are actual photos taken in our Abu Dhabi lab facilities. And I’ll come to these details. So let me focus a little bit on what quantum computing is. It’s the largest application of quantum technologies, and the main, what is expected is that in the beginning we will be able to attack with quantum simulations, we’ll be able to simulate complex molecules or crystalline structures that will have impact in material science, pharmaceutics, and chemistry. For instance, we might be able to gain understanding that helps us develop high temperature superconductors, or more efficient solar panels, right? At the same time, understanding nitrogen fixation, this is nowadays, this is relevant for fertilizers, for ammonia, and this is done nowadays with the Haber process, that’s an industrial process that is extremely energy intensive and inefficient. And if we would understand how nitrogen fixation works with quantum simulations, we could develop more efficient schemes for that. Same thing with drug discoveries and catalysts and other applications of chemistry. At a later stage, we will have digital quantum computations for engineering and heavy industry, right? There’s lots of work towards computational fluid dynamics and complex dynamical systems. We will be able to solve very large systems of equations, and this has, again, many, many applications in industry. And of course, interesting things like oil reservoir simulations. And then, yes, so everybody talks about quantum AI and combinatorial optimizations. Quantum computers will have an impact on generative machine learning. There are models of generative machine learning architectures that use quantum circuits already, data augmentation and anomaly detection, and optimizations of all kinds, right? Like reducing CO2 emissions, production lines, automatized production lines, logistics, and also eventually finance and insurance, right? Like the insurance sector too, with risk management, for instance. So these are very, very promising applications, and that’s what’s moving the field, but there is really so much noise out there, right? Nowadays, the quantum sector, we hear very big news. So we have, I don’t know, we have big consulting companies putting the market value of this industry in the trillions in 10 years. And then this is also a sector where depending on the opinion of tech leaders, the quantum stocks change mood from apocalyptic pessimism to deranged optimisms. We also hear lots of announcements of all kinds from quantum providers, both at the scientific level, but also at the commercial level, with an arms race between different quantum providers to see who closes the largest commercial deal. And also, of course, an arms race in terms of productions of quantum chips, right? So the question is, there’s so much thing going on out there, and how do we discern what’s actually real, what’s really promising, and what is actually hype? And the answer is, well, there’s no shortcut, there’s no magical shortcut. You have to really set to work and do bold R&D, research and development and innovation, right? Yeah, there’s no real shortcut, right? This has to be coordinated between companies and academias and governments, but the core of the activity that we still need to do is significant R&D. And this takes me to what we do in Abu Dhabi, in the Quantum Research Centre at the Technology Innovation Institute. Our mission is quite clear. We want to do application-driven R&D based on solid scientific grounds. We want to drive and enable deep tech business with scientific rigour. And we started, the Quantum Research Centre started in the middle of the first wave of COVID in 2020. I moved to Abu Dhabi in 2021. In these few years, we managed to grow the centre, hiring top-notch scientists. We have almost 93 team members, 86 of which are researchers and engineers of many different nationalities. We have a superb board of advisors and we have produced quite some academic output, 158 publications in top-notch journals, both in physics, in computer science, mathematics and engineering. We have already 18 products in development with TRLs higher than four, and we have five patents in progress, right? This is something that, you know, we have to take into account that the UAE is relatively young in terms of scientific tradition, so we’re proud to say that we have achieved in a few years a level of activity that has not been seen in many countries. Let me enter into a little bit more detail how we do this, how we organise our research. We have activity on the three main technologies, quantum technologies, so these are computing, communications and sensing, and we have theory and experiment activities, right? So, on the top, you see quantum algorithms, quantum middleware and quantum physics theory. These are our physics, our theory departments, and on the bottom, we have the quantum computing hardware lab, quantum communications and quantum sensing. These are our experimental efforts, right? We have a full-stack approach to quantum technology research, right? Both theory and experiment. Let me show you a little bit what we do in each of these labs. In the quantum computing hardware lab, we develop superconducting qubit chips. We have a world-class infrastructure. You can see our cryostats here, which hold the QPU, the quantum processing unit. You can see pictures of our chips. These are quantum processing units that have currently three qubits. We’re going to reach five qubits at the end of the year, and we have our own in-house fab facility. We have a clean room where we’re able to print our own quantum chips, try new designs with different materials for optimising and improving the qubit quality, right? We do conceptualisation, design characterisation and calibration of QPUs. Again, fully mastering all the steps towards quantum sovereignty and being able to achieve five qubits printed in Abu Dhabi is something that many European countries, although with a much stronger and longer scientific tradition, haven’t yet attained, for instance, right? This is the in-house technology that we have. This is superconducting qubits that we do, but we also have access to other platforms remotely via agreements with stakeholders, with partner companies, for instance, for trapped ion models or neutral atoms, right, where we can… quantum algorithms. Our quantum algorithms team is quite strong both on the development of quantum algorithms and what we call quantum-inspired algorithms. Quantum-inspired algorithms are algorithms that are able to run on classical machines like normal GPUs and CPUs but that take ideas and techniques that have been developed within quantum computation theory. This is not a minor thing because, like I was saying yesterday in the opening of the quantum track session, quantum computers will not be stand-alone machines that will solve entire problems on themselves. They will rather work as quantum hardware accelerators within high-performance computing architectures. So they will have to be integrated with AI, with classical hardware accelerators like GPUs, and then also get rid of algorithms between quantum and classical. So there’s a continuous spectrum of things where you can apply quantum or really just quantum-inspired algorithms. We study applications in computational fluid dynamics. We have, for instance, an interest in collaboration for understanding fluids and neutron flow in nuclear reactors with the Emirates National Energy Company. We have a very strong team on protein design and molecular dynamics. We do things on traffic forecasts and optimizations. We also have a strong team to understand how to characterize quantum processing units. These devices are not really to characterize, and you need to characterize the errors there because you want to do quantum error correction and mitigation. So we also have activity there. Like I said, we attack the full stack range of problems. Now you might wonder, okay, you have this high abstraction level of quantum algorithms and then you have the radiofrequency pulses that control the quantum chips, and in between you have many components, right, from control electronics and lots of software. So all that software that sits in the middle is what we call quantum meterware, and it’s not a minor thing. Our main product there is Kibo. That’s an open-source meterware for quantum computing. It’s an entire software framework for doing programming quantum computers, but also for calibrating, simulating, and controlling quantum chips. I invite you to see the website kibo.science. Let me move now to quantum communications. This is our photonics lab. There, the long-term goal is to connect quantum devices and to develop quantum safe encryption schemes. One of the main things that we do is quantum key distribution, and also we have perfect quantum random number generators. We produce entanglement-based quantum key distribution systems. These are very advanced. We demonstrate quantum non-locality on a daily basis, and these were the first demonstrations in the Arab world of entanglement and quantum non-locality. This is very advanced. In fact, we are in partnership with EAN and our commercialization branch, which is VentureOne, for deploying QKD fibers in the UAE and moving towards commercialization. This is all QKD with telecom fibers, but we also study satellite-to- ground quantum communication. You have to imagine that quantum key distribution schemes can work via telecom fibers, but if the distances are too long, you can do repeaters a little bit, but at some point, you need some assistance by satellite-to-ground. This is what we are studying. In fact, we have the Abu Dhabi Quantum Optical Ground Station. That’s in the Al-Wathba Desert, 45 minutes’ drive from Abu Dhabi downtown, where we have the first of its kind high-performance telescope. This is going to be a collaborative approach because it’s going to be compatible with most satellite mission plans for quantum. This is really something of which we’re very proud. Of course, you can see names here as the UAE Space Agency, the Quantum Internet Alliance. We have many partner stakeholders here. Finally, let me walk you through the activities of the Quantum Sensing Lab and the quantum physics theory. We develop accelerometers for navigation and positioning, magnetometers, again, for GPS navigation and magnetic exploration, also with relevance in medical imaging and material characterization. For instance, we have projects with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, where we want to study ultra-sensitive magnetic sensors to monitor the lifetime of batteries or to monitor underground carbon storage reservoirs, for instance, which can be monitored remarkably by magnetic field sensing. Also, the quantum physics theory group is very strong. This is something that we need. As I said, quantum is interesting both for business now, but also there’s lots of research to be done, so we need a strong theory support, not only for improving and modeling our superconducting qubits, but also to think of new quantum simulations, atom tronic schemes, and even quantum sensing physics. This is a very, very strong team in Abu Dhabi. Let me then finish. Actually, I want to spend some time in this slide with some take-home messages. The second quantum technology revolution is just unfolding. This will disrupt information processing technologies, cybersecurity, and high-precision measurements, which will have lots of impact in different industries. We need coordination between governments, industry, and academia. We still need lots of R&D. In fact, people ask a big, big question. The trillion dollar question is, what is going to be the killer application of quantum computing? The reality is that we really need to understand that. The best way to understand that is to build these machines. We need to build quantum computers to actually be able to figure out what the main application will be. My PhD supervisor used to tell me that when people would ask him, what is quantum useful for? He would answer, well, that’s similar to asking a baby that’s just been born what it’s going to be useful for. You need to let it grow. You need to play with it to understand where it’s going to go. We need more investment also in quantum algorithms. The truth is that we have a few flagship algorithms, if you want to, where we’re very confident that we will have exponential quantum runtime speedups. But these are very few. In fact, these are too few. Even if you give us today a fault-tolerant large-scale quantum computer, like I said, we don’t have too many algorithms where we’re sure and confident that we’ll have exponential runtime speedups. It’s not surprising that most of the investments have gone into quantum hardware because it’s really challenging to develop quantum hardware. There are different competing platforms. It’s not even clear who’s going to be the winner. But we do need to put focus on quantum algorithms research. This is actually very important. As for communications, something important to keep in mind is that the migration to quantum-safe schemes, quantum-safe encryption schemes. Apart from quantum key distribution, there’s something that we also develop in TII in collaboration with the Cryptography Research Center, where we do post-quantum cryptography. These are classical algorithms. This is not based on the laws of physics. This is a different type of quantum-safe encryption scheme. We’re working towards migrating to this type of quantum-safe schemes. In the beginning, most probably, the migration will be to post-quantum crypto, and then later on, eventually, to full-fledged quantum key distribution schemes, or maybe even a hybrid and combination between both, which is something that we also tackle in TII. But the migration needs to start today, because hackers or adversaries might be storing encrypted information transmitted. They will not be able to decrypt it now, but maybe in 10 years, when quantum computers are mature enough, then they will be able to decrypt it. You want data to be protected for more than one or two decades sometimes, depending on the priority of secrecy. So the migration really needs to start today. We need a collaborative approach. Fragmentation, ideally, is not something that you really want. Duplication of efforts, this is something that we’re seeing a lot. Different countries, different competing sectors, and yeah, exportation bans is also a big risk. This is something that has to be discussed in this type of meetings. It’s very important to try to be as collaborative as possible, because the challenge is great, it’s huge, and this has to be attacked in a coordinated way. As for the UAE, this is a forerunner in the Arab world, I would say, because really what we want to do there is not just to adopt and buy technology, we really want to develop in the country new technology. And this is within a strategic vision of the UAE in the next few decades, to transition from a commodity-based economy to an actual knowledge-based economy. So we’re one of the main drivers, we’re proud to be one of the big drivers in the UAE for this transition. Finally, we need to filter out hype from reality, and like I said, there’s no shortcut for that. You really need to do bold R&D research and innovation. As last slide, Gillian asked me to, oh okay, I think this is another version of the slide, so I was also, because I’m the last speaker, I was also asked to give a couple of announcements. So the first announcement is that the quantum track will continue in 2026 in the AI for Good event, so this is not going to be the last one that we’ll have a quantum track here. Also, there was another announcement about a QKD system being deployed between two different cities here in Geneva, stations in Geneva, by ITU and UNCC, I think, but I think I don’t have the slides, so I just say it orally, I hope I remember the acronyms correctly. Thank you very much for your attention, it’s been a pleasure.

Agreement points

Similar viewpoints

Unexpected consensus

Overall assessment

Summary

This transcript represents a single-speaker presentation by Leandro Aolita rather than a multi-speaker discussion or debate. All arguments and viewpoints presented come from one individual delivering a comprehensive overview of quantum technology development.

Consensus level

No consensus analysis is possible as there is only one speaker presenting their perspective. The presentation covers historical context, current applications, challenges, and future outlook for quantum technologies, but lacks the multi-perspective dialogue necessary for identifying agreements, disagreements, or consensus points among different speakers.

Different viewpoints

Unexpected differences

Overall assessment

Summary

This transcript contains a single speaker presentation by Leandro Aolita with no other participants to create disagreements. Aolita presents a cohesive narrative about quantum technology development, challenges, and opportunities without any opposing viewpoints or debate.

Disagreement level

No disagreement present – this is a monologue presentation rather than a discussion or debate format. The speaker presents various challenges in the quantum field (such as distinguishing hype from reality, need for more algorithm research, and coordination challenges) but these are presented as industry-wide issues rather than points of contention between different speakers.

Partial agreements

Similar viewpoints

Key takeaways

The second quantum technology revolution is currently unfolding and will disrupt information processing, cybersecurity, and high-precision measurements across multiple industries

Quantum technologies have three main applications: quantum computing (for molecular simulation and optimization), quantum communications (for physics-guaranteed encryption), and quantum sensing (for ultra-precise measurements)

The quantum industry suffers from excessive hype and market volatility, requiring bold R&D and scientific rigor to separate reality from speculation

The ‘killer application’ of quantum computing remains unknown and can only be discovered by building and experimenting with quantum machines

More investment is needed in quantum algorithms research, as current focus has been primarily on hardware development

Migration to quantum-safe encryption schemes must begin immediately, as adversaries may be storing encrypted data for future decryption when quantum computers mature

The UAE Quantum Research Center has achieved significant milestones including 5-qubit superconducting chips, first quantum key distribution demonstrations in the Arab world, and development of open-source quantum middleware

Quantum computers will function as hardware accelerators within high-performance computing architectures rather than standalone machines

Resolutions and action items

The quantum track will continue in 2026 at the AI for Good event

A QKD system deployment between two cities in Geneva by ITU and UNCC was announced

The UAE will continue developing quantum technology as part of its strategic transition from commodity-based to knowledge-based economy

Migration to quantum-safe encryption schemes needs to start today across organizations

Unresolved issues

The identity of the ‘killer application’ for quantum computing remains unknown

Which quantum hardware platform will ultimately be the winner among competing technologies is unclear

The optimal balance between post-quantum cryptography and quantum key distribution for encryption migration is undetermined

How to effectively coordinate between governments, industry, and academia to avoid fragmentation and duplication of efforts

The challenge of filtering hype from reality in quantum technology claims and announcements

Suggested compromises

A hybrid approach combining post-quantum cryptography and quantum key distribution for encryption schemes

Initial migration to post-quantum crypto followed by eventual transition to full quantum key distribution

Quantum computers working as accelerators within classical high-performance computing architectures rather than standalone systems

Collaborative international approach to quantum development to minimize fragmentation and export restrictions

My PhD supervisor used to tell me that when people would ask him, what is quantum useful for? He would answer, well, that’s similar to asking a baby that’s just been born what it’s going to be useful for. You need to let it grow. You need to play with it to understand where it’s going to go.

Speaker

Leandro Aolita

Reason

This analogy is profoundly insightful because it reframes the entire discourse around quantum technology expectations. Instead of demanding immediate practical applications, it suggests that transformative technologies require time and experimentation to reveal their true potential. This challenges the common impatience with quantum development and the pressure for immediate commercial viability.

Impact

This comment serves as a philosophical anchor for the entire presentation, justifying the need for continued R&D investment despite uncertain outcomes. It shifts the conversation from ‘what can quantum do now’ to ‘what might quantum become,’ providing intellectual cover for long-term research investments and tempering unrealistic expectations.

Quantum computers will not be stand-alone machines that will solve entire problems on themselves. They will rather work as quantum hardware accelerators within high-performance computing architectures. So they will have to be integrated with AI, with classical hardware accelerators like GPUs.

Speaker

Leandro Aolita

Reason

This insight challenges the popular misconception that quantum computers will replace classical computers entirely. Instead, it presents a more nuanced vision of hybrid computing architectures where quantum systems serve as specialized accelerators, similar to how GPUs function today. This is a crucial technical and strategic insight that affects how the industry should develop.

Impact

This comment fundamentally reframes the quantum computing narrative from revolutionary replacement to evolutionary integration. It influences how researchers should approach algorithm development, how companies should plan their quantum strategies, and how the technology should be positioned in the broader computing ecosystem.

Even if you give us today a fault-tolerant large-scale quantum computer, like I said, we don’t have too many algorithms where we’re sure and confident that we’ll have exponential runtime speedups… we do need to put focus on quantum algorithms research.

Speaker

Leandro Aolita

Reason

This is a remarkably honest admission that challenges the field’s hardware-centric focus. It reveals a critical gap: the quantum community has been so focused on building quantum computers that it has neglected to develop sufficient algorithms to run on them. This insight highlights a fundamental imbalance in research priorities.

Impact

This comment exposes a strategic vulnerability in the quantum field and calls for a rebalancing of research investments. It suggests that even with perfect hardware, the field might not be ready to deliver on its promises, fundamentally challenging funding priorities and research directions across the quantum ecosystem.

Hackers or adversaries might be storing encrypted information transmitted. They will not be able to decrypt it now, but maybe in 10 years, when quantum computers are mature enough, then they will be able to decrypt it… So the migration really needs to start today.

Speaker

Leandro Aolita

Reason

This insight reveals the temporal complexity of cybersecurity in the quantum age. It introduces the concept of ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ attacks, where current data theft becomes a future security threat. This fundamentally changes how we must think about data protection timelines and urgency.

Impact

This comment creates immediate urgency around quantum-safe cryptography adoption, shifting the conversation from future preparation to present-day necessity. It transforms quantum cryptography from a future consideration to an immediate business and national security imperative.

We need coordination between governments, industry, and academia. We still need lots of R&D… Fragmentation, ideally, is not something that you really want. Duplication of efforts, this is something that we’re seeing a lot… exportation bans is also a big risk.

Speaker

Leandro Aolita

Reason

This comment addresses the geopolitical reality of quantum development, acknowledging the tension between national competition and the collaborative nature needed for scientific progress. It highlights how export controls and fragmentation could actually slow down the very technological advancement that nations are trying to accelerate.

Impact

This insight introduces a sobering geopolitical dimension to the technical discussion, suggesting that political fragmentation could undermine the scientific collaboration necessary for quantum advancement. It calls for a delicate balance between national interests and global scientific cooperation.

Overall assessment

While this transcript represents a monologue rather than a discussion, Aolita’s key insights fundamentally challenge several prevailing narratives in quantum technology. His comments collectively argue for: (1) patience with quantum development timelines, (2) a shift from hardware-centric to algorithm-balanced research, (3) realistic expectations about quantum-classical integration rather than replacement, (4) immediate action on quantum-safe cryptography, and (5) the need for international collaboration despite competitive pressures. These insights serve to temper hype while maintaining optimism, providing a more nuanced and realistic roadmap for quantum technology development. The presentation effectively bridges the gap between technical reality and public expectations, offering a mature perspective on one of technology’s most hyped fields.

What is going to be the killer application of quantum computing?

Speaker

Leandro Aolita (referencing a commonly asked question)

Explanation

This is described as ‘the trillion dollar question’ that requires building quantum computers to understand, as we need to develop and experiment with these machines to discover their most impactful applications

How do we discern what’s actually real, what’s really promising, and what is actually hype in the quantum sector?

Speaker

Leandro Aolita

Explanation

With so much noise and conflicting information in the quantum sector, from market valuations to tech leader opinions, there’s a critical need to separate genuine progress from hype

Need for more investment and research in quantum algorithms

Speaker

Leandro Aolita

Explanation

There are too few algorithms where we have confidence in exponential quantum runtime speedups. Even with a fault-tolerant large-scale quantum computer today, we don’t have enough algorithms to fully utilize it

How to effectively migrate to quantum-safe encryption schemes

Speaker

Leandro Aolita

Explanation

The migration needs to start immediately because adversaries might be storing encrypted information now to decrypt later when quantum computers mature. This involves both post-quantum cryptography and quantum key distribution

Which quantum computing platform will be the winner among competing technologies

Speaker

Leandro Aolita

Explanation

It’s not clear which of the different competing quantum hardware platforms (superconducting qubits, trapped ions, neutral atoms, etc.) will ultimately dominate

How to achieve better coordination and reduce fragmentation in quantum research globally

Speaker

Leandro Aolita

Explanation

There’s concern about duplication of efforts, fragmentation between countries and sectors, and export bans that could hinder progress in addressing the huge quantum challenge