Is Europe Poised To Lead the Quantum Computing Race?

Mar 10, 2026 - Forbes

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The German-based Jülich Supercomputing Centre announced in February 2025, that it is permanently incorporating the U.S.-based D-Wave annealing quantum computer after three years of successful hosting and usage. The system will be connected to JUPITER (Joint Undertaking Pioneer for Innovative and Transformative Exascale Research) supercomputer, Europe’s first and only exascale supercomputer (1018 calculations per second, 1000 times faster than previous systems).

A previous article discussed the state of quantum in the United States. While the U.S. clearly currently leads, will Europe emerge as a dominant competitor?

After missing the AI, semiconductor, social media and smartphone booms, and a struggling automotive sector, will quantum technology provide Europe with a new commercial edge?

Clearly, the United States values early quantum work in Europe, and the potential its market it provides. The question is what it means for European leadership in the emerging field of all things quantum? Is Europe destined to become a quantum incubator for the United States?

Read the full article here.