Quantum technologies: Businesses see Germany leading globally

• Broad demand for a political quantum strategy 
• Bitkom surveyed providers and users of quantum technologies 
• AI & Data Summit and Quantum Summit conclude with 1,800 participants

Berlin, 26 September 2024 – Germany is at the forefront of global research into quantum technologies and has the potential to lead in the development and application of quantum computing. This is the result of a survey of 87 companies, either already active as providers or users of quantum technologies or with corresponding plans, conducted on behalf of the German digital association Bitkom. While the study is not representative, it provides a significant insight into industry sentiment. According to the survey, 5 percent of respondents believe Germany leads globally in quantum technology research, 60 percent consider it among the frontrunners, while around a quarter (28 percent) see Germany lagging behind. Only 2 percent of the companies think Germany has lost touch with global developments. At the same time, three-quarters (77 percent) believe Germany can become a global leader in the development and application of quantum technologies. “Quantum technologies offer enormous potential across various industries, from optimizing supply chains and advancing drug research to predicting extreme weather events. Germany has established an excellent foundation in quantum technology; now we must succeed in translating this into market-ready products and solutions,” said Bitkom’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Bernhard Rohleder at the conclusion of Bitkom's two-day AI & Data Summit and Quantum Summit.

Next AI & Data Summit and Quantum Summit on 16 & 17 September 2025

Over 1,800 participants and more than 200 speakers from the digital economy gathered over the past two days at Kosmos Berlin. In addition to quantum technologies and their use in businesses, the latest developments in artificial intelligence and its practical applications were the focus of more than 140 keynotes, workshops, and panel discussions. Political figures included Federal Digital Minister Dr. Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Vice Chancellor Dr. Robert Habeck, and Mario Brandenburg, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Education and Research. The next AI & Data Summit and Quantum Summit will take place on 16 & 17 September 2025. 

What businesses need for adopting quantum technologies

The biggest challenges for adopting quantum technologies in their own companies, according to respondents, are the still immature technology (55 percent) and unclear economic benefits (43 percent). 39 percent cite their own investments in other future trends as a challenge, 38 percent point to a lack of practical applications, and another 38 percent highlight insufficient standardization. To advance discussions on the use of quantum technologies in companies, 59 percent call for financial support for quantum projects aimed at application development, 52 percent want better information on market-ready applications, and 51 percent seek collaboration with universities and research institutions. Additionally, 45 percent advocate for easier access to relevant hardware and infrastructure. A third of respondents (37 percent) believe an exchange with companies further along in quantum technology development would help, while 36 percent see value in expanding research activities in the field.

Currently, quantum technologies hold central (18 percent) or significant importance (29 percent) for 47 percent of the companies surveyed. In five years, this figure is expected to rise to 66 percent, with 23 percent considering quantum technologies as central and 43 percent as having significant importance to their business. Nine out of ten (91 percent) companies support the development of a long-term strategy by the German government to promote quantum technology in Germany. Rohleder concluded, “We need quantum technology made in Germany.”