{"id":17633,"date":"2025-07-15T10:01:48","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T08:01:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uni.lu\/snt-en\/?post_type=news&p=17633"},"modified":"2025-12-11T15:07:02","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T14:07:02","slug":"think-again-why-the-next-tech-revolution-starts-where-science-began","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.uni.lu\/snt-en\/news\/think-again-why-the-next-tech-revolution-starts-where-science-began\/","title":{"rendered":"Think again: why the next tech revolution starts where science began"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What if protecting our future meant getting back to basics? As coding and data science dominate today\u2019s study trends, the next tech leap may lie in taking a step back to basics like physics and quantum.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In quantum technology, core subjects like physics could hold the key to building the most secure communication systems yet. This shift to quantum communications was centre stage at the University of Luxembourg\u2019s second Quantum Breakfast event, held in partnership with the Chambre de Commerce. Titled \u201cAre you ready for Quantum Communications?\u201d the event brought together experts from government, research, and industry including speakers from SES, Luxinnovation, and the University of Luxembourg (Uni.lu). Together, they explained how Luxembourg is preparing to secure its digital sovereignty, aka independence, through quantum communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the first Quantum Breakfast explored what quantum algorithms could do<\/a>, this second session was all about how we\u2019ll communicate through quantum and keep related capabilities safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nWhat is quantum communication?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re used to thinking of secure communication as a software issue: passwords, encryption, two-factor logins. But these traditional tools are built on mathematical complexity, and quantum computers will eventually crack them. In fact, some experts estimate that by 2030, quantum computers may be powerful enough to decrypt today\u2019s most advanced codes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s where quantum communication comes in. Rather than relying on hard-to-solve math problems, quantum communication uses the laws of physics to protect information. One key principle is quantum key distribution (QKD)<\/strong>. QKD allows two people to share an encryption key using entangled particles – like photons – that instantly affect one another, even across great distances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If someone tries to intercept the key, the quantum state changes, and the intrusion is immediately detectable. This makes eavesdropping physically impossible without detection. Unlike conventional encryption, which can be broken with enough time and power, quantum-secured communications are \u201ctamper-evident\u201d (meaning any attempt to intercept them is detectable from the start).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As SnT Professor Symeon Chatzinotas<\/a> explained, \u201cWe can\u2019t store or regenerate quantum information yet, but quantum key distribution lets us create a bridge – an exchange of keys – between different points. It\u2019s a foundational step.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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