Europe stands at a crossroads that could define its technological destiny for generations—and the answer might just be quantum.
As European nations cast their gaze toward both Eastern and Western powers, a critical question emerges with increasing urgency: How can we unite our diverse countries to claim leadership in the technological revolution that's unfolding before us? More importantly, where should we concentrate our collective strengths and resources to secure our position in this rapidly evolving landscape?
This month marks a pivotal milestone in Europe's technological journey. IBM is set to unveil the continent's very first IBM Quantum System Two—representing their most sophisticated quantum computing technology to date—at the IBM-Euskadi Quantum Computational Center located in the coastal city of San Sebastian, Spain. This isn't just another tech announcement; it's potentially Europe's declaration of intent in the quantum race.
But here's where it gets controversial... While the entire world seems obsessed with artificial intelligence—and rightfully so—there's another technological revolution brewing quietly in the background that could be even more transformative: quantum computing. Industry analysts project this emerging field will generate a staggering $850 billion in value by 2040. The significance is so profound that UNESCO has officially designated 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. If European nations can successfully capitalize on this moment, quantum computing could become the continent's secret weapon—a genuine competitive advantage that reshapes not only Europe's economic landscape but potentially influences global progress for the better.
However, reaching this ambitious goal won't happen by accident. It demands a carefully crafted policy framework built on several key pillars: maintaining technological neutrality (avoiding lock-in to specific vendors or approaches), embracing and promoting open-source software development, channeling substantial funding toward algorithm development and practical application research, and—crucially—ensuring accessibility remains low so that researchers, startups, and institutions of all sizes can participate. The good news? Europe already possesses a significant advantage: its historically strong leadership in physical sciences combined with deep technical expertise across multiple disciplines creates an ideal foundation for quantum leadership.
And this is the part most people miss... You might be wondering: in an era where AI-powered computing seems to be solving everything, why do we even need quantum computers? The answer is both simple and profound. There exist certain categories of extraordinarily complex problems that traditional classical computers—no matter how powerful—simply cannot solve efficiently or sometimes at all. These include simulating molecular behavior for breakthrough drug discovery and advanced materials science, as well as optimizing massive, interconnected systems in sectors like finance and logistics where countless variables interact simultaneously.
Consider some real-world examples already emerging. Earlier this year, HSBC, the major UK-based financial services institution, published groundbreaking research demonstrating what experts believe represents the world's first empirical evidence showing quantum computers' practical value for addressing genuine business challenges—specifically in algorithmic bond trading. Meanwhile, E.ON, ranking among Europe's largest energy providers, is actively investigating how quantum computing capabilities could revolutionize energy pricing strategies, especially when dealing with unpredictable weather patterns or shifting consumption behaviors from newly electrified industrial sectors.
Beyond maximizing the operational efficiency of power grids and transforming financial services, researchers are exploring an exciting range of additional possibilities. These include optimizing complex global shipping routes and logistics networks, and perhaps most intriguingly, helping scientists understand intricate chemical reactions at the molecular level—work that could accelerate the discovery of revolutionary new materials and life-saving medicines.
Building the Foundation: Quantum Infrastructure for Europe's Growing Ecosystem
The introduction of Quantum System Two in Spain builds upon momentum established just last year when IBM deployed Europe's first dedicated quantum data center in Germany, featuring multiple installations of their most advanced quantum computing systems.
What's happening in Spain's Basque Country serves as a compelling preview—a microcosm, if you will—of what could unfold across the entire European continent. The quantum computer now operating at the IBM-Euskadi Quantum Computational Center in San Sebastian represents an expansion of the region's commitment to this technology, a journey that began several years ago and has successfully brought together scientists and researchers from across Europe in unprecedented collaboration.
These rapid, successive deployments responding to surging user demand represent exactly the kind of aggressive infrastructure development Europe needs to guarantee that its industries, academic research institutions, and governmental bodies secure leading positions in successfully harnessing this transformative technology. Perhaps most significantly, these installations directly advance the European Commission's ambitious Quantum Europe Strategy, which explicitly aims to establish Europe as the undisputed global leader in quantum computing by 2030.
There's a fascinating historical parallel worth noting. Exactly one century ago, IBM first established its presence in Spain by installing tabulating machines for the country's national telephone and telegraph company—cutting-edge technology at that time that proved essential for connecting people and businesses across distances. Fast forward a hundred years, and IBM is now offering Europe's industries, research centers, and governments an entire data center filled with quantum computers, including the continent's inaugural IBM Quantum System Two. These represent equally crucial components in what promises to be an equally transformative historical moment.
Here's the question that should spark debate: Is Europe moving fast enough, or are we already falling behind in the quantum race? By taking decisive, coordinated action right now—not next year, not eventually, but immediately—the continent's interconnected ecosystem of researchers, businesses, and policymakers can position themselves at the forefront of developing quantum applications that deliver advantages previously thought impossible.
What's your take? Do you believe quantum computing will truly be Europe's differentiator on the global stage, or is this just another overhyped technology that will underdeliver? Should European governments be investing even more aggressively in quantum infrastructure, or should those resources go toward AI development instead? Share your perspective in the comments—let's hear whether you think Europe is making the right bet.
The perspectives and opinions shared in this commentary represent exclusively those of the author and do not necessarily align with or reflect the official positions, opinions, or beliefs of Fortune or its editorial team.
This article was originally published on Fortune.com on October 12, 2025.
