The Círculo Ecuestre hosted this Tuesday the conference The future is quantum: the disruption ahead following AI and its impact on the economy, a session dedicated to exploring the potential of quantum computing as the next great technological revolution, destined to transform sectors such as cybersecurity, the pharmaceutical industry, finance, logistics, energy, or artificial intelligence.
The event featured the participation of Víctor Canivell, president and co-founder of Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech, one of the leading European companies in the development of quantum computing. The session was introduced by Tirso Gracia, member of the Governing Board of the Círculo Ecuestre, who opened the meeting by noting that this technology is set to solve “extremely complex mathematical problems” that are currently unapproachable for traditional computers.
During his address, Canivell explained that the main promise of this technology lies in its capacity to “do things that are impossible today.” Among the most relevant examples, he highlighted its impact on cybersecurity, given that in the future it could potentially break current cryptographic systems, making it essential to advance towards post-quantum cryptography.
The speaker also addressed the role of quantum computing in the study of materials and molecules, with direct applications in fields such as chemistry, pharmaceuticals, the electric automotive industry, or the development of more efficient batteries. In this regard, he argued that quantum computing “will not serve to do everything better,” but rather to resolve specific calculations that are particularly complex and of great economic interest.
The conference at the Barcelona club also served to reflect on the relationship between quantum computing and artificial intelligence. Canivell pointed out that the data centers of the future will be hybrid, combining conventional systems with quantum systems capable of tackling certain calculations much more efficiently and with lower energy consumption.
Canivell highlighted Barcelona's role as a potential European hub for quantum technologies, thanks to its network of research centers, universities, scientific talent, and infrastructures such as the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, the Institut de Ciències Fotòniques, or the ALBA synchrotron. “Barcelona has a very significant scientific and technological foundation to become a key hub for this new industry,” he stated.
Regarding Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech, Canivell explained that the company is working from Barcelona on its own quantum computing architecture oriented, among other areas, towards optimization problems.
The meeting concluded with an overview of issues such as talent, university-industry collaboration, the need to manufacture proprietary technology in Europe, and the opportunity for Barcelona to lead a new industrial era linked to quantum computing.