The Quantum Leap: How Fundamental Science Becomes Technology

The session was moderated by Sergey Kulik, Professor and Scientific Director of the Center for Quantum Technologies at Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU). He described quantum technologies as a somewhat “provocative” topic. On the one hand, the field is “overheated with promises and expectations”; on the other, real, working devices are already emerging, and people can now “get their hands on them.”

Ekaterina Solntseva, Director for Quantum Technologies at ROSATOM, noted that Russia has historically had a strong foundation in quantum physics, which has enabled the field to develop rapidly.

Nevertheless, Solntseva said, quantum technologies will not replace classical computers but will exist alongside them, much like cars and space rockets. These technologies offer distinct capabilities, including guaranteed secure data transmission and measurements that are thousands of times more precise. Meanwhile, ROSATOM has brought together 80% of Russia’s research teams working in this field. The state corporation is also a global leader in building nuclear power plants abroad.

“Learning to build power plants outside our own country is a distinct competency, and ROSATOM has mastered it better than anyone else in the world. That means we know how to work internationally with complex technological solutions. We hope to organize our work in quantum technologies along the same lines as our work in nuclear technologies,” Solntseva concluded.

Anton Guglya, General Director of the International Center for Quantum Technologies Group, described how the field is moving toward practical applications. For example, the center is working with Gazprombank to test digital twins of quantum computers for marketing optimization, credit scoring and document processing. Quantum communications are also advancing, including links between Earth and satellites, along with quantum sensing.

Vladimir Shevchenko, Rector of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, suggested looking at the quantum race through the lens of history. Quantum mechanics originated in Germany, but the list of leading countries has since changed. This serves as a reminder that the field cannot afford to rest on its laurels. There is already a need to rethink how quantum mechanics is taught. “We teach the way we did 15 years ago, even though enormous changes have taken place over that time,” the rector observed.

The process of updating education is already underway. The International Quantum University, a consortium of five Moscow universities, has admitted its first 25 master’s students, and the next step is to expand the initiative to BRICS countries. “We have a road map, and we will bring in colleagues from BRICS universities with which we have already reached agreements. This will give our students the opportunity to complete part of their studies using the quantum infrastructure at partner universities. Conversely, students from those countries will be able to come here and work with us, enriching their educational experience,” the MEPhI rector said.

Pavlos Lagoudakis, Academic Secretary, First Vice-Rector and Head of the Hybrid Photonics Laboratory at Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech), posed a fundamental question: What does basic science need to turn discoveries into practical applications? He noted that the journey from discovery to technology is a long one. The transistor, the internet and the laser all took considerable time to become commercial products. Progress requires infrastructure, engineers, a supportive culture, entrepreneurship and sustained funding. “We need to set aside time and money for making mistakes and conducting research that yields no results. Only bold experiments can lead to scientific discoveries,” Lagoudakis stressed.

At the end of the discussion, participants exchanged views on how quantum infrastructure should be distributed around the world. Solntseva advocated a distributed network of international centers and laboratories across different countries. Shevchenko pointed to CERN, where fundamental research has given the world unexpected technologies. Guglya, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of retaining domestic capabilities: “I would prefer the technologies we develop here in our country to stay here... This is our sovereignty.”

Yet all the experts agreed that no single country or laboratory can build the quantum future alone. It grows out of education, national scientific traditions and the ability to combine deep fundamental research with the courage to pursue practical applications.