“For quantum technology, the question is not when, but to start working now,” Marine Zec Gaspa, chief of staff at French photonic quantum computing company Candela, told Euronews Next. LON:)”.
The European Commission gave its consent and ordered the startup’s technology as part of its quantum call for proposals. This will enable researchers on the continent to reap the full benefits of this technology, including being at the forefront of tackling some of medicine’s toughest problems. Driving innovation to solve the most pressing industrial and societal challenges.
But “researchers can’t wait for the computing power to be unleashed to find out how quantum works,” Zec-Gaspar cautioned. Quantum, robotics and all technologies for the ecological transition are key technology trends to monitor in Europe, said the president of the European Innovation Council. However, access to funding and regulation makes it difficult for startups to get off the ground.
“It is very promising and very motivating that in Europe we have researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs working in this field to enhance our sovereignty,” said a senior European Commission official. Jean-David Maro, an official from Consumer Technology, told Euronews Next. Announcing this week’s Electronics Show (CES) in Amsterdam.
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A new European Commission has been established for President Ursula von der Leyen’s second term, with 26 members awaiting approval by the European Parliament.
Maro asserted that creating a unified market among the 27 member countries and increasing the number of technical talent will be key to the new commission’s success, but he also noted that there are challenges.
A report by economist and politician Mario Draghi warned that if Europe wants to compete globally, it needs to stimulate an environment favorable to innovation on the continent.
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One of the problems for Quandera is access to financing, Zek Gaspa said, adding that it is much easier for startups in the United States than in Europe.
The Draghi report found that Europe needs an additional investment of between 750,000 and 800 million euros per year to achieve key competitiveness and climate goals.
“This is possible if we work with valuable sectors and the public as well as the private sector, and if we work together, we can make this happen,” Maro said. “However, the regulatory environment also needs to be addressed to encourage further investment,” he added.
Global competition and China’s challenges
Regulation in Europe is problematic, especially when it comes to artificial intelligence. European Union President Gary Shapiro told US-based Euronews Next: “We are all battling high interest rates and a slowing economy, but the specific challenges facing Europeans are: “Many government regulations are hindering innovation.” and the organizers of CES.
While he welcomed European regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), he said there were concerns that other regulations in the U.S., particularly those related to AI, were “making it more difficult for small and medium-sized businesses to start a business.” said.
“I think there is growing concern,” he added. Mr. Shapiro called on the United States and Europe to cooperate more closely on regulating global technology competition. “Now we’re being challenged by China…and they have very little privacy there. They’re focused on the same future technologies that we’re all focused on,” he said. said.
“So the battle is not between Europe and America; it is freedom and innovation against totalitarianism and the violation of individual rights. We have to win the battle.” ”
Innovation and data protection
The European Union has passed an artificial intelligence law and a data protection law, but neither exists at the federal level in the United States. This poses a major challenge for AI companies, as the technology requires large datasets.
“The EU’s strict data privacy regulations naturally limit the use of data to train AI systems,” explains Parya Lotfi, co-founder of deepfake detection software company DuckDuckGoose.
“As a deepfake detection company, our core business is primarily based on processing large datasets. This regulation has allowed us to innovate and adapt, and as a result our systems are currently We are less dependent on data.”
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“While this adaptation has successfully overcome regulatory hurdles, it is worth noting that for AI systems in general, access to large amounts of data is essential to achieving high performance.” he added.
However, despite these obstacles, expansion into larger markets such as the US is promising, and the technology has attracted several global players, eliminating the initial trust barrier that startups often face. “It’s alleviating.”
European technology values
But one company developing artificial intelligence chips said it would agree to European standards rather than see European regulations as an obstacle to innovation.
Alexandra Pinto Castellanos, founder of OurSec, explained to Euronews Next that she is originally from Colombia, studied at Stanford University in the United States, then moved to Switzerland and settled in the Netherlands. “When I was younger, I wanted to start a company. Yes, but at the same time, there were many aspects of entrepreneurship that I didn’t like in America.”
“I moved to Switzerland and tried again to get to know the business ecosystem there, but I actually ended up liking it much more. I really appreciate the European and technical regulatory values. ”
“Contrary to what people are complaining about, I think we really need these regulations and privacy considerations to make sure this AI doesn’t get out of control,” he added.
