The technology of the future will have a total intervention in society, affecting business, education, research, security and defence. A recent report by KONGSBERG underlines the need to develop an overarching national quantum strategy. Today, Denmark has such a strategy, and Sweden is in the process of developing its own.
Concerns of falling behind
Terje Nilsen, Director of Disruptive Technologies in Kongsberg Discovery, which is part of KONGSBERG, recommends that our Norwegian elected representatives invest heavily in order not to fall behind.
"Disruptive or cutting-edge technology and new innovations can fundamentally change today's business models. Quantum sensors will be far better and more accurate than today's sensors. This can create great opportunities, but also new challenges. The development is fast, and we have no time to lose," says Nilsen.
Quantum sensing and quantum communication are experiencing great advancements. Although many companies do not find quake technology relevant today, he believes that everyone needs to understand what this is about and how the new technology can affect their own business in the time to come.
"We are participating in an international technology race. It is clear that if China or the United States suddenly come up with completely new technology, it could have very major consequences for society and business. A clear quantum strategy will be good for research, education and innovation in Norway – and for Norwegian security, value creation and competitiveness. Denmark has adopted a strategy, Sweden and Finland are well underway with theirs. The strategy must also address how the Nordic region can be an engine for quantum technology at the European level, Nilsen believes.
Has already established Nordic co-operation
In 2024, the Italian ex-Prime Minister Mario Draghi presented the report on the EU's future and competitiveness. In the report, he warns of the consequences for Europe if there is no investment in technology. Draghi wants to increase the effort significantly and believes that we must invest much more in heavy, basic research environments and establish far more effective mechanisms for quickly using the knowledge. He believes this is crucial for Europe to keep up with technological developments.
In 2024, the University of Oslo entered into a comprehensive collaboration agreement with the world-leading Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen. Dean Solveig Kristensen of the University of Oslo points out that the collaboration with the Niels Bohr Institute in education, research and collaborative projects will be a mainstay for the Norwegian cooperated going forward. A national strategy would be good to be able to strengthen this further.
"We in the Nordic Region are small countries on the outskirts of the world, but together we can make a difference. The collaboration agreement between the University of Oslo and the Nils Bohr Institute, which was formalized in the spring of 2024, has marked the start of what we believe will be a key starting point for research collaboration within the various directions of quantum technology in Norway," says Kristensen.
Preparing Norway for the quantum wave together
Earlier this year, SINTEF opened a renewed Gemini Centre for Quantum Technology, together with UiO and NTNU. Leading experts will strengthen Norwegian research on quantum technology at a time when it is playing an increasingly important role globally.
"Quantum technology is going to be hugely important for the world. If Norway is to have the opportunity to catch up, we must have cutting-edge expertise in this technology and an infrastructure that allows us to develop it for the benefit of our society. At SINTEF, we have already been working on quantum research for quite some time, and we see great opportunities in areas such as quantum computing, quantum sensors and quantum communication. It seems that our politicians have opened their eyes to this technology now, and together we can achieve a lot of exciting things in the race that has already started," says Trond Runar Hagen, Executive Vice President of SINTEF Digital.
Requires more knowledge and more innovation
Innovation districts are now being established around the strongest knowledge environments around the world to stimulate collaboration and help to adopt knowledge faster. Oslo Science City, Norway's first innovation district, was established 5 years ago. Director Christine Wergeland Sørbye is clear that we are now in a time that requires targeted investment.
"Quantum technology was absolutely central when the Danish King and Queen and the Norwegian Crown Prince Couple visited Oslo Science City last year. It is an expression of the national importance of our strong knowledge communities, and how important it is that we cooperate well to exploit each other's strengths. At Oslo Science City, we actively facilitate collaboration between the strongest knowledge environments and the business community and establish links to applications in important areas such as health, energy, the environment, safety and society. Now the time is ripe to set a clear course for the country. We would like to contribute actively to the work of developing a quantum strategy for Norway, which also ensures close Nordic cooperation," says Wergeland Sørbye.
The report and quantum technology in brief
The report "The Ecosystem Surrounding Quantum Technology" will be launched during a breakfast event in Oslo on 6 February. Around 20 experts from academia, business and research institutions have been interviewed and shed light on the importance of a national quantum strategy. In addition, our strengths and weaknesses are assessed, as well as the opportunities that lie in closer Nordic co-operation. The report is financed by KONGSBERG.
At the same time, the journal Apollon (Forsiden - Apollon) will present a special issue on quantum technology at the breakfast seminar on 6 February.
The University of Oslo, Sintef and Oslo Science City are working together with Kongsberg to increase awareness of quantum technology in general and point in particular to the need for a national quantum strategy.
Quantum technology is a collective term for all new technology that builds on the special properties of quantum mechanics. This means that we design systems that directly exploit the intricacies of quantum mechanics. Quantum technology can be divided into the three main areas of quantum computing, quantum sensors and quantum communication.
The Ecosystem Surrounding Quantum Technology
