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Thank you for having me. Today is a fantastic day for quantum science.
Quantum technology is still in its early stages. But the potential is endless.
And today it seems especially appropriate to have big hopes and dreams for what this technology can become.
Because today marks a big step towards realising quantum’s potential.
It did not take an army of astronauts to reach the moon. Just a few. It did, however, take thousands of engineers, astrophysicists, mathematicians, designers and countless other skilled people.
Each one playing a small, yet vital role.
The same goes for quantum. It will not be one genius who gets us there.
It will be thousands of dedicated and talented people contributing their small but crucial part. Each contributing their piece to a larger puzzle.
And one of those parts is the photonic chip. It is as tiny as it is essential.
It may be smaller than a speck of dust, but it holds the weight of years of research and collaboration.
It also represents something more: A shared vision. A belief that we can take fundamental science and translate it into technology that benefits society at large.
For years now, we’ve talked about European autonomy.
It began when Russia invaded Ukraine. It escalated when President Trump took office. When transatlantic uncertainty made it clear we need to become more resilient.
And the conclusion is clear. We need to strengthen Europe’s global competitiveness and innovation power. We need to be able to do more ourselves. To keep up in the current, global technology race.
Not because we want to turn our backs to the world but because we want to stand stronger in it.
And to do so, we need to be deliberate. Strategic.
We must invest in key areas of innovation—areas where Europe can lead.
Quantum is one of them.
Today marks a very tangible and concrete step towards a more independent Europe. A European collaboration between Denmark and France that will lead to the production of photonic chips.
It began in a lab right here at the Niels Bohr Institute just a few years ago. Scientists were working determinedly to bring two worlds together.
The world of nanomechanics and the world of quantum photonics. They did it.
And the result was a microscopic chip with an enormous potential.
Now, this invention is moving out of the lab and into production. And that is worth celebrating.
We often speak of technology transfer as a challenge. Today, we see it happening in real time.
From basic research to industrial capability – this is how innovation ecosystems are built.
It is inspiring what science can do. I am convinced that quantum-based technology will revolutionise almost all aspects of our lives in the not so distant future.
Computing power. Our public health. The way we communicate. The green transition.
We will look back at today as one of those crucial turning points. Not a headline-grabbing breakthrough, but a foundational step – quiet, precise, and powerful.
Congratulations to Riber and to NQCP.
This is a very small microchip but it is a giant leap for Europe and for quantum technology.
Thank you.