The Joint Research Centre (JRC) hosted a round table on the potential applications of quantum science and the development of new technologies in the areas of computation, simulation, communication, metrology and sensing. Dominique Ristori, JRC Director-General, stressed the potential of new quantum developments to boost growth and jobs in the EU.

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) and DG Enterprise organised a high level roundtable on the potential applications of quantum science that included the participation of 2012 Nobel Prize Winner in Physics, Serge Haroche, for his work on quantum systems, along with several representatives from research and industry. In 2009, the Commission already announced a strategy that included the quantum science.

At the roundtable, Dominique Ristori, JRC Director-General, stressed the potential of new quantum developments to boost growth and jobs in the EU. He highlighted the leading role of European research in this area and called for a transformation of this knowledge into concrete market applications, a step where Europe is traditionally weaker than its competitors.

The European Commission highlighted that Europe plays a leading role in quantum research, and European scientists are among the frontrunners in this field. Quantum technologies promise to revolutionise many areas of science and technology, providing for instance super-fast computers, fully secure communications, more accurate measurement devices and sensors or extremely precise clocks that could be the basis for new GPS systems.