Beyond the Hype:

What Quantum Really Means for AI, Security, and the World in 2025

What is quantum computing and why is it in the spotlight this year?

F. Bitouzet: „Quantum computing is set to be a game changer in tech. It promises to be a giant – if not quantum – leap in computational power. Calculations that would take a classical super computer thousands of years can be done by a quantum computer in a matter of minutes!

The way in which quantum computers work is mind-bending. Classical computers use ‘bits’ in a sequence to perform actions. These bits are either a zero or a one. Quantum computers use ‘qubits’ instead. A qubit can be both a one and a zero at the same time – a state called quantum superposition. The superposition of qubits allows calculations to be run simultaneously, rather than calculations being run in succession. It’s complicated, so to help us visualise this, let’s use an analogy. If you play chess against a super computer, it will calculate the best way to checkmate you by trial and error, simulating every move one by one until it has found the winning choice. A quantum computer will run through these same moves in the same manner, but simultaneously – you’ll be checkmated much, much faster.

What’s exciting is that quantum computing is almost mature. Right now, we’re seeing practical applications of the technology that were, until recently, only theoretical. The technology, year on year, is becoming more tangible. This is why computational power quantum is in the spotlight this year: it’s the United Nations Year of Quantum Science.“

What will quantum computing mean for cybersecurity?

F. Bitouzet: „There is often a misunderstanding about quantum and cybersecurity. People are afraid that Quantum’s calculation power could be used to break existing codes in a blink of an eye. This fear was understandable a few years ago, but the threat is no longer the same.

Firstly, the cybersecurity industry has anticipated the arrival of quantum tech with the creation of post quantum encryption solutions. Secondly, quantum computers will be so expensive and technically specific that they’ll likely only be available to nation states and a select few of the world’s largest companies. You won’t have a quantum computer on your desk, and nor will the guys who want to break into your Netflix account.

There are, however, some larger threats that have the potential to rewrite cybersecurity on an international level. Cyber attacks like Harvest Now, Decrypt Later, are taking on national security infrastructures and quantum will need to solve the threats posed by its own existence.“

What is the threat of ‘Harvest Now, Decrypt Later’ (HNDL), and how is the cybersecurity industry anticipating it?

F. Bitouzet: „Quantum computers are already having an effect on cybersecurity. Bad actors are collecting encrypted information with the aim of waiting until quantum computers become fully functional. Once they have access, whether through renting the computers or otherwise, they will be able to use the quantum computers‘ astronomical ability to decrypt the harvested data. This process is known as a ‘Harvest Now, Decrypt Later’ (HNDL) attack, and it means the quantum threat is real, right now.

Scott Crowder, Vice President of Quantum Adoption of a widely known and listed US IT and consulting company based in Armonk, expertly summarised the urgent need for organizations to adopt quantum-safe security measures at last year’s VivaTech festival. He stated, “the advent of quantum computers means that we need to change our asymmetric cryptography because Shor’s algorithm says that when these computers get large enough, basically asymmetric cryptography is toast.” Quantum computers will be able to crack the standard encryption that secures our internet as well as wider infrastructures like banks.

In the short term, HNDL attacks have urgently accelerated the need to secure against quantum computers at every level. Globally, we’ve started to see organizations, enterprises and governments implementing quantum-safe security protocols. The Banque de France has successfully tested quantum-resilient communications. In Germany, the BSI has urged public and private stakeholders to begin quantum transition planning now.

Quantum-safe technologies — such as Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) — are emerging as strategic tools for securing digital infrastructure at scale. These systems allow operators not only to defend against quantum-enabled attacks but to proactively enhance anomaly detection and breach prevention.

In the long term, quantum computing can defend and enhance our cybersecurity landscape. Quantum algorithms will be able to identify patterns and anomalies in real-time, enabling security systems to detect and respond to cyberattacks more efficiently.“

How has the world, and Europe, acted on quantum?

F. Bitouzet: „Global powers are investing heavily in Quantum. Led by China, global investment is  approaching the €50bn mark. In 2023, Germany laid out a €3bn investment plan and we are four years into France’s almost €2bn quantum roadmap – but the figure is increasing dramatically year on year.

Europe is becoming a central player in quantum with promising startups such as Planqc in Germany and Pasqal and Candela in France. The challenge is to maintain our lead. Cooperation between France and Germany is key to unlocking the potential of quantum and securing Europe’s position at the forefront of the industry.“

What can you tell us about startups in the quantum industry?

F. Bitouzet: „There are high upfront costs when it comes to quantum technology that makes the market feel inaccessible – it’s one reason why we’re seeing the industry financed by geopolitical superpowers. Although it’s close, the market is yet to reach full maturity and there are currently only a few tried and tested revenue models.

However, as the technology evolves, we’ll see the number of these models explode. Last year, we saw some 367 startups in the industry, with more entering year on year. And this isn’t only in computing and cybersecurity.

There are many alternative applications for quantum. Extraordinary innovations like quantum sensing, which lets operators analyse anomic-level data, are providing separate pathways for startups to enter into the industry. With applications across navigation, defense and diagnostics, quantum sensing serves as a great example of the diversification of the quantum market.“

How will quantum tech impact AI?

F. Bitouzet: „Quantum computing has the potential to be revolutionary for AI. We’ve talked about the extraordinary power of quantum computing, and this power means more calculations at quicker speeds. Trial and error tests to refine newer models of AI will be more efficient. AI and quantum will most likely exist in a symbiotic relationship where AI can in turn support quantum by, for example, improving its algorithms.

A secondary effect of quantum computing is the reduction in power required to run AI. Data center power usage is currently expected to surge six-fold in 10 years – a problem that must be addressed. This surge in energy could be cut drastically by quantum computing’s hyper-efficient processing and irregular energy consumption that does not scale with increased amounts of computation.“

What next?

F. Bitouzet:„The most widely used online search portal and the listed US IT and consulting company, are hoping for a fully operational quantum computer by the end of the decade. Jensen Huang, CEO of a US technology company best known for the development of graphics processing units (GPUs), has meanwhile predicted that it will be 15 to 30 years before quantum computers are commercially viable. Quantum computing poses an existential threat to our cyber landscape. But it also offers an opportunity for global collaboration and discovery. No-one is quite sure exactly when they will arrive, but the technology is coming, and it is set to have a transformational effect across industries and the wider world around us.