The performance of quantum computers does not yet surpass that of current supercomputers. However, 2025 marks a real inflection point.
The performance of quantum computers does not yet surpass that of current supercomputers. However, 2025 marks a real inflection point. Around ten major players have included in their roadmaps the achievement of the utility threshold of around one hundred logical qubits by 2030. The trajectory is set. The time for wait-and-see is over. For digital companies, the challenge is to transform this technological dynamic into concrete decisions, aligned with their business priorities.
Target uses to create advantage
Quantum computing falls within a specific scope: that of scientific computing. It will not replace traditional IT or AI, but will complement them where current approaches reach their limits. Its potential is mainly focused on two main families of uses: simulation and optimization.
Simulation makes it possible to explore a massive volume of options when it comes to modeling complex systems, here a new fuselage, there new molecules. Optimization, for its part, aims to improve the allocation of resources and the operational performance of large organizations, both public and private. In both cases, quantum opens the possibility either of solving problems that are currently out of reach with existing hardware or of drastically reducing calculation times.
The scope remains targeted, but the impact can be decisive. The challenge is therefore not to multiply experiments, but to identify truly differentiating use cases and to structure a credible trajectory to capture their value.
Structuring the approach: the key role of ESNs
Identifying use cases is a first step, but it is far from sufficient. They must then be prioritized, arbitrated, dimensioned computing power requirements and assess their eligibility in light of available or future solutions. In other words, moving from technological intuition to a structured operational strategy. It is on these decisions that the solidity of a quantum trajectory depends.
In this structuring environment, ESNs occupy a central position. They have an essential dual reading: detailed understanding of business issues and mastery of technological architectures. Starting from a concrete problem (optimization, modeling, planning), they know how to formalize it, evaluate its relevance with regard to current quantum capacities and direct towards the most suitable solutions, whether hybrid or quantum. This ability to link industrial ambition and technological reality is essential to avoid the gap between promise and execution.
Europe at a pivotal moment
Like any major technological breakthrough, quantum questions Europe’s ability to compete collectively with the major digital powers. The continent nevertheless has solid assets: recognized academic excellence, first-class research networks
plan, a diversified industrial fabric and a dynamic deeptech ecosystem, supported by structuring initiatives such as the European Quantum Flagship and the French Quantum Plan endowed with 1.8 billion euros. The challenge, as often, is now that of scaling up: transforming excellence into industrial leadership, coordinating investments and structuring players capable of lasting influence in global competition. European ESNs can support this move to scale over the long term by supporting all the driving forces, researchers, industrialists, investors and digital players, to enable emerging European champions to structure themselves and accelerate. It is probably under this condition that quantum can become a real lever of technological and industrial sovereignty for Europe.
