Dear everyone
I feel honored to be here today – speaking in front of such a brilliant and ambitious crowd.
We know quite a bit about many things – yet, we have gathered in celebration of the unknown.
Most of us use a computer, a phone or other devices on a daily basis – several even.
We look up the words we don’t understand.
We look at the weather forecast that we can’t predict.
And we talk to people far beyond the limits of our own human voices.
We take the helping hands that technology has to offer. Yet, most people have no idea how the technology at hand actually works.
Some might have slight notions about electricity, semi-conductors and endless sentences made up of zeros and ones – but not the full picture.
Now – a quantum computer – that’s another matter entirely.
With risk of lightly stepping on the toes of my rather well-informed audience – one might just say, that no single individual fully comprehends how a quantum computer works.
Not yet at least.
You know far more than most – myself included – but in order to take full advantage of the technology, we must search the unknown.
For this very reason, you have put together the Quantum Computing Programme.
The programme that we are gathered today to inaugurate.
I believe we have a rather thrilling endeavor ahead of us.
The world’s first programmer
To me – a quantum computer seems like a hybrid of sorts.
A set of principles and mechanics, technology and a source of great opportunity located somewhere in the conjunction between history, science and philosophy.
I wish to briefly mention someone that may serve as an inspiration in this regard.
Ada Lovelace was born in 1815 – and she herself, was also a hybrid of sorts.
Mathematician, inventor, translator, poet, engineer and the world’s first programmer.
Also, she is the unofficial holder of the coolest name in history – but that one is on me.
Ada Lovelace wrote an algorithm 100 years prior to the invention of the modern computer.
The algorithm is called Note G and was designed to find Bernoulli numbers.
So why do I care to mention her today?
Well, she was one of the first to realize the immense opportunities of the computer, without having ever seen or used one.
Amongst other things, she predicted how algorithms could be used to create music.
In our case, we have ideas and complex theories on the many applications of a fully functional quantum computer.
Now and for the next 12 years, we must try to realize those ideas and theories.
As Minister for Higher Education and Science, I appreciate the ambition of the Novo Nordisk Foundation as well as the University of Copenhagen and the Niels Bohr Institute.
And as a person, I envy your curious minds.
Let that curiosity be our fuel.
Part of the solution
With the grant of 1.5 billion kroner and an ambitious approach, we take a vigorous step towards unraveling some of the possible solutions that the fully functional quantum computer can offer.
We are all aware of how cyber security has become an increasingly important issue. In recent years, we have seen numerous examples of hacking, data breaches and manipulation of information used as hybrid warfare.
The use of quantum mechanics will be key to maintaining an acceptable level of cyber security in the future – especially because we are not the only ones looking to unlock the secrets of the quantum realm.
In life science and in the development of medication, quantum computing can make a crucial difference.
The immense processing power can help us personalize treatments based on individual genomes and other data.
Something that would take years on a regular computer – or even be simply impossible.
Also, it might contribute with new insights in the extremely complex climate crisis we are facing right now, and in the years to come. A new climate deal was landed at COP28 this Wednesday which further proves its relevance.
We need all the technological help we can get.
There are numerous possible applications, but I believe I made my point.
Today’s inauguration marks an important step towards the development of critical technology and infrastructure.
Technology that our society will depend on in the future.
I realize that you are very well aware of the importance of your own work, but as Uncle Ben famously told Peter Parker:
“With great power, comes great responsibility.
Ecosystem of science and innovation
In Denmark, we have one of the best science environments in the world.
We have talented students, excellent universities, innovative companies and ambitious, hard-working scientists.
People travel here to take part in research, study and find their dream job.
Denmark comes from a position of strength, when it comes to quantum research.
We must be strategic and diligent to further expand it.
Following the launch of the National Quantum Strategy, the Government is committed to further strengthen research, academic collaboration, education of new talent, and to develop use cases and test facilities in order to create a strong Danish ecosystem in quantum.
Also, we must foster bilateral and multilateral opportunities to collaborate with like-minded countries – and discuss policy issues such as research security and as well as principles for the responsible use of quantum technology.
The Quantum Computing programme has potential to draw companies and start-ups to Denmark, something that our society benefits from in many ways.
The Novo Nordisk Foundation has earmarked a part of the grant to the Quantum Foundry which will help fabricate materials and hardware in the process.
The foundry is a great example of how a scientific project can create jobs and fertile ground for new companies.
Once again, a big warm thank you to the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the University of Copenhagen and all of you.
Everyone present today is contributing to the Danish science environment – which we all should be very proud of.
I look forward to working with you in the future.
Finally, I want to say thank you for your time.
We are about to set out on quite a thrilling journey that will require hard work and collaboration across organizations, companies and borders.
We don’t quite know, where we will end up, but I think that’s a part of the excitement.
I am quite sure about one thing though.
Ada Lovelace would have loved to be part of this event – and even though she isn’t, she is still a part of the journey that started many years ago.
I wish all of you the best of luck in the coming 12.
Thank you!