Toespraak van minister Kamp bij de workshop Quantum technologies for Europe

Toespraak | 06-04-2016

Ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you for being here today. I’m honoured to tell you about the Netherlands’ vision on quantum technology. A vision that we – the Presidency holder − share entirely with Commissioner Oettinger.

In one of his State of the Union addresses, President Barack Obama pointed out that we're at a crossroads. He said: 'We know that the nation that goes all-in on innovation today will own the global economy tomorrow.' And we couldn’t agree more.

By the end of this decade, Europe will have invested nearly 80 billion euros in Horizon 2020 – the world’s biggest research and innovation programme. It aims to boost the EU’s GDP by 800 billion euros and create 3.7 million new jobs. These figures speak for themselves. There’s no lack of ambition. And investing in game-changing technologies is part of that ambition.

The Commissioner and I called for an ambitious European strategy because we believe that Europe should invest in key enabling technologies now to make us competitive in the future. Quantum technologies could radically change our economy and society. We're entering a new era in technology, with innovations that could have the same impact as the transistor, laser and internet have had over the past century. Quantum technologies are at the heart of a fourth industrial revolution. And Europe has a unique opportunity to lead the way.

Our scientists in this field are among the best in the world. Two of them will be speaking here today. I hope to learn more from Professor Alain Aspect about the mind-boggling concept of teleportation and the entanglement of photons over large distances − the 'spooky action at a distance' that even Albert Einstein couldn’t accept.

Not only does Europe have leading scientists, it also has the world’s biggest research body. We have around 2,500 public researchers, compared with 1,500 in the US and Canada. Each year Europe spends around 550 million euros on public research. Part of this research is funded by the European Commission via programmes like the European Research Council, the Seventh Framework Programme and Horizon 2020. Other parts are funded nationally by member states.

Isn’t it time to build on this scientific excellence and start reaping the social and economic benefits of quantum technology? The answer is yes. Advancements in science and the urgency to solve major challenges relating to climate, energy and security are taking quantum technologies from the lab to the factory to the market. Under Moore’s law, computer chips have been getting smaller and smaller. But there’s a limit to conventional technology – and we’re likely to reach that limit within the next decade or so. This calls for nanoscale technologies where quantum effects play a dominant role.

Let me give you a few examples. Quantum sensors will give us a lot more accuracy − enabling breakthroughs in inertial navigation, brain imaging and MRI scans. Quantum computers and simulators will provide us with computational power far beyond the reach of any supercomputer. Potentially, we could design new materials for energy solutions, develop tailor-made drugs and simulate complex systems like protein folding. And quantum communication will allow us to send and encrypt data in a fundamentally secure way, making espionage and hacking impossible. These and other applications make quantum technologies a strategic stake for our future prosperity and security.

Other parts of the world have also noticed the potential of quantum technologies. Looking at investments worldwide, we see a dramatic increase over the past decade. Especially in the US, where industries and institutions are starting to invest. Google, IBM, Intel and Microsoft are all doing so for their own strategic reasons. China is also heavily involved. Last year when I visited Beijing, I learned that China is planning to invest billions in creating a quantum communications link between Beijing and Shanghai. It also intends to launch a satellite to connect other parts of the country.

So where does this leave Europe? Well, I’m glad to say that we’re still in pole position. Our research is top notch. And it’s striking that international companies like Microsoft and Intel are choosing labs in Europe to partner with. When the Commissioner invited relevant European industries to Brussels last year, it became clear that Bosch, Alcatel-Lucent, Thales, ASML and other companies are keen to support a European endeavour and are willing to invest. And a few months ago, Airbus Defence and Space announced it would be investing in an R&D line for quantum software and algorithms.

Innovation is a dynamic process. It flourishes in a climate that fosters talent, knowledge, entrepeneurship and funding. Technology is moving faster and faster. It took 59 years for the telephone to catch on. 14 years for the PC. And eight for the internet. Innovation is no longer a linear path from research to product to people. Today, research and industry work together. In many cases fundamental breakthroughs wouldn’t be possible without the support of industry. On the journey from science to innovation to application, new innovations with different applications will emerge. Applications we’ve not yet dreamt of.

Take a look at the timeline behind me. Between now and 2035, quantum technologies will put real applications on the market. To make this happen in Europe, we need to give our undivided attention to the entire quantum ecosystem: education, basic research, engineering and startup venture funding. A European flagship programme should include all these elements. Because without skilled people there will be no quantum industry. Without basic research the well of new ideas will dry up. Without engineering capacity we will lose our manufacturing industries. And without new businesses there will be no new jobs. I’m looking forward to preparing a programme together with other member states, the Commission, and the science and industry stakeholder communities.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Europe has a strong track record in high-value science and creative concepts. But it can also be a little too conservative when it comes to entrepreneurship and risk-taking. Quantum technologies give us the opportunity to overcome this.

In the words of the late Johan Cruyff, our European football legend: 'There’s only one moment in which you can arrive in time. If you’re not there, you’re either too early or too late.'

Looking at the state of quantum technology, it’s clearly not too early to act. Let’s not be too late. The time to scale up European investment in quantum technologies is now.

Thank you.