Quantum computing harnesses the principles of quantum mechanics—superposition, entanglement, and interference—to process information in fundamentally new ways. While classical computing has transformed science and society, quantum technologies may enable an even deeper shift, including the simulation of complex quantum systems, efficient factorization of large numbers, and new approaches to hard optimization problems.
Progress in this field relies not only on engineering advances, but also on breakthroughs in physics, materials science, control theory, algorithms, and quantum error correction.
This raises fundamental questions: how far can quantum computing take us, and where will it have the greatest impact? Early experiments have demonstrated quantum advantage in specialized tasks, yet scalable, fault-tolerant systems remain a major challenge. At the same time, rapid theoretical and technological developments are reshaping our understanding of the limits of classical simulation, the role of noise, and the potential of hybrid quantum–classical approaches. These advances also challenge long-standing assumptions about computational complexity and the boundary between physical and computational possibility.
The Nobel Symposium on Quantum Computing will bring together leading researchers in quantum information science, condensed matter physics, computer science, and engineering to address these questions. The symposium will assess the current state and future potential of quantum technologies, with a focus on key challenges and opportunities.
Central questions include:
- Which problems can quantum computers realistically solve?
- How can scalable quantum architectures be achieved?
- How should we rethink modelling, simulation, and the concept of computation in light of quantum principles?
Convenors: Per Delsing, Artur Ekert, Göran Johansson, Francesco Petruccione
The programme will follow at a later stage.
The symposium is organized within the Nobel in Africa initiative, a STIAS programme in partnership with Stellenbosch University, under the auspices of the Nobel Foundation and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, and supported by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. Public lectures will be held in connection with the symposium.