Quantum Optics Seminar: Jacob Sherson

How to safely steer the quantum fleet through troubled waters

Investments into the 2nd quantum revolution are dramatically accelerating these years and so are the popular expectations. Still, there is virtually no academic research at the boundary between quantum technology development and industry evolution.

In this talk I will briefly review the management structure of the European Quantum Flagship and then focus on my own European responsibilities, efforts and research within workforce development and industry foresight. For the former, I will present the European Quantum Technology Competence Framework as a unifying language to refer to quantum skills and competences across universities and industry and review our ongoing efforts to create high quality both quantum mechanics and quantum technology education at all levels and to scientifically document the efficacy of the modules using eg eye tracking comparison of quantum experts and novices.

Next, I will review projections from roadmaps and consultancy report for the expected growth of the quantum technology industry and introduce a number of well-known concepts from the academic management literature concerning technology-driven industry growth. Then I will discuss our ongoing and planned research efforts to map quantum technology to these established industry growth patterns using both data-driven methods and expert future-scenario workshops. This should allow for the extraction of stakeholder specific action-recommendations for optimal quantum ecosystem evolution and the adoption of these will be incentivized through the upcoming European Quantum Readiness Center.