Building the quantum age

Quantum computing is often heralded as the next great technological leap: a tool that could one day reshape how we design materials, protect data, or model the world’s most complex systems. But behind the headlines lies a field still in its infancy: progress is hard-won and the science is unforgiving.

Europe finds itself in a global race defined as much by uncertainty as ambition. China and the United States are pouring vast resources into the field, while Europe’s efforts remain scattered. Belgium, however, has carved out an unexpected foothold thanks to imec, now one of the continent’s most advanced research hubs.

Professor Kristiaan De Greve, Program Director Quantum Computing at imec and professor at KU Leuven, recently demonstrated a scalable architecture for superconducting circuits, the same class of technology recognised by this year’s Nobel Prize in Physics. At TheMerode, he will strip away the hype and offer a clear, grounded look at where quantum computing actually stands today: its breakthroughs, its limits, and the scientific hurdles that still define the field.