The Quantum Economy Podcast

In this episode of The Quantum Economy Podcast, Anders Indset sits down with Dr. Pavel Hrmo, CEO and co-founder of ZuriQ — a Swiss quantum computing startup spun out of ETH Zürich.

ZuriQ is taking a radically different approach to one of quantum computing’s biggest challenges: scalability. Instead of relying on traditional one-dimensional ion chains, Dr. Hrmo and his team are developing a reconfigurable two-dimensional ion array using Penning trap architecture — a breakthrough that could unlock a new path toward large-scale, practical quantum systems.

Together, Anders and Pavel explore whether trapped-ion systems could become the foundation of scalable quantum computing, how ZuriQ’s architecture differs from players like IonQ and Quantinuum, and how Europe positions itself in the global quantum race.

They also dive into deeper questions:

• When will quantum computing create real economic impact?

• How will AI and quantum computing converge?

• Will AI accelerate quantum breakthroughs — or will quantum redefine AI?

• Are there fundamental limits to computation and energy?

• And are we approaching a “post-theory” era where machines outperform human understanding?

From error correction and qubit scaling to AGI, creativity, and the philosophy of technology, this episode explores the intersection of physics, artificial intelligence, and the future of human agency in a world increasingly shaped by advanced computation.

A conversation about quantum systems and the limits of human understanding.

Episode breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

01:51 Quantum Computing Innovations

04:59 ZuriQ’s Unique Approach to Scaling Qubits

07:30 Challenges and Opportunities in Quantum Computing

10:44 Comparing Quantum Technologies: Trapped Ions vs. Others

13:36 The Role of Engineering and Physics in Quantum Development

16:41 Economic Implications of Quantum Computing

19:38 The Future of Quantum Ecosystems

22:31 The Intersection of Quantum Computing and AI

25:54 The Nature of Creativity in AI and Quantum

28:38 Philosophical Implications of AI and Quantum Computing

34:04 The Intersection of AI and Human Creativity

36:34 The Limitations of AI in Understanding

41:03 Quantum Computing and Its Implications

43:58 The Role of Human Judgment in an AI-Driven World

48:07 The Future of Quantum Computing and Its Challenges

56:44 Ethical Considerations in AI and Quantum Technology

58:47 The Future of ZuriQ and European Tech Landscape

About Pavel Hrmo

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavel-hrmo/

About Anders Indset

Anders Indset is the world’s leading business philosophers and the author of seven international bestsellers. With recent works such as Ex Machina – The God Experiment and The Singularity Paradox: Bridging the Gap Between Humanity and AI, his thought leadership has expanded far beyond economics and classical philosophy – earning him recognition from leading scientists and technologists, including prominent physicists. As the founder of tomorrowmensch, he invests in breakthrough science and technologies and convenes leading thinkers, investors, and entrepreneurs shaping the future.

NEW BOOK

The Quantum Economy: https://andersindset.com/shop/The-Quantum-Economy-p803754261

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What does it really take to make quantum computers work at scale? Anders Indset hosts Steve Brierley, founder & CEO of Riverlane, to unpack fault-tolerant quantum computing's potential to revolutionize chemistry, materials science, and climate tech.

Discover why qubits are so fragile, how 25 years of error rate improvements still fall short, and the trillion-operation leap needed for real-world impact. Steve reveals Riverlane's real-time error correction stack—accelerating hardware roadmaps by 3-5 years across superconducting, trapped ions, neutral atoms, silicon spins, and NV centers.

Key insights:

• Crossing the QEC threshold: From 1,000 to billions of error-free operations
• Quantum + AI/HPC: Hybrid workflows for next-gen supercomputing
• First applications: Quantum chemistry, materials design, efficient catalysts
• Quantum computers as "programmable models of nature" for new physics discoveries

They also tackle big questions: Are quantum machines or nature's simulators? Can quantum-AI uncover new elements or physical laws? Is consciousness computable?

00:00 Introduction

01:37 The Fragility of Qubits and Error Correction

04:40 Engineering Challenges in Quantum Computing

07:40 Exploring Different Qubit Modalities

11:48 Commercial Pathways for Quantum Computing

13:58 The Role of Quantum Computing in Chemistry

18:40 The Intersection of Quantum Computing and AI

21:33 Quantum Mechanics: A Model of Nature

24:39 Exploring New Physics with Quantum Computers

34:34 Exploring Quantum Simulations and Reality

37:36 The Future of Quantum Computing and AI Convergence

42:07 The Implications of AI and Quantum Technologies

49:24 The Nature of Consciousness and Human Uniqueness

56:20 The Future of Quantum Error Correction and Industry Impact

About Steve Brierley

https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-brierley-72127a142/

About Anders Indset

Anders Indset is the world’s leading business philosophers and the author of seven international bestsellers. With recent works such as Ex Machina – The God Experiment and The Singularity Paradox: Bridging the Gap Between Humanity and AI, his thought leadership has expanded far beyond economics and classical philosophy – earning him recognition from leading scientists and technologists, including prominent physicists. As the founder of tomorrowmensch, he invests in breakthrough science and technologies and convenes leading thinkers, investors, and entrepreneurs shaping the future.

NEW BOOK

The Quantum Economy

https://andersindset.com/shop/The-Quantum-Economy-p803754261

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https://tomorrowmensch.com/

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In this episode of The Quantum Economy Podcast, Anders Indset speaks with Enrique Solano (CEO of Kipu Quantum) about the future of quantum computing, quantum AI, and artificial intelligence — and why waiting for a universal, fault-tolerant quantum computer may be the biggest mistake in the industry.

Solano challenges the dominant narrative around quantum technology. Universal quantum computers are not imminent, logical qubits are not yet scalable, and noisy quantum hardware is not useless — it’s an opportunity.

At the center of the conversation is his concept of quantum intelligence: hybrid classical-quantum systems that combine quantum computing and AI to unlock reasoning beyond both human cognition and classical supercomputers.

A sharp and contrarian discussion about quantum advantage, quantum-enhanced machine learning, AI hallucinations, and whether intelligence truly requires consciousness.

Episode breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

01:48 Unconventional Thinking

04:30 The Role of Creativity in the Age of AI

07:34 Challenges in Quantum Computing

10:40 The Reality of Quantum Hardware

13:38 Exploring Quantum Applications and Limitations

16:53 The Future of Quantum Computing and Its Impact

19:39 Innovations at Kipu Quantum

22:43 Commercial Implications of Quantum Technologies

38:38 Advancements in Quantum Computing and AI

41:03 The Future of Quantum Intelligence

47:06 Philosophical Perspectives on Reality and Consciousness

53:39 The Nature of Human Intelligence vs. AI

59:04 The Vision for Artificial Human Intelligence

01:07:54 Promising Developments for Humanity's Future

About Enrique Solano

https://www.linkedin.com/in/enrique-solano-812631154/

About Anders Indset

Anders Indset is the world’s leading business philosophers and the author of seven international bestsellers. With recent works such as Ex Machina – The God Experiment and The Singularity Paradox: Bridging the Gap Between Humanity and AI, his thought leadership has expanded far beyond economics and classical philosophy – earning him recognition from leading scientists and technologists, including prominent physicists. As the founder of tomorrowmensch, he invests in breakthrough science and technologies and convenes leading thinkers, investors, and entrepreneurs shaping the future.

NEW BOOK

The Quantum Economy: https://andersindset.com/shop/The-Quantum-Economy-p803754261

https://andersindset.com/

https://tomorrowmensch.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andersindset/

https://www.instagram.com/andersindset

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In this episode, Anders Indset speaks with Carlos Moreira, founder and CEO of WISeKey and SEALSQ, one of the world’s leading voices on digital trust, cybersecurity, quantum security, and sovereign technology. Recorded around the World Economic Forum in Davos, the conversation explores why trust has become critical infrastructure in the quantum age.

Moreira reflects on his three-decade journey from early work with the United Nations and the origins of the web in Geneva to building a global trust ecosystem spanning digital identity, post-quantum cryptography, semiconductors, satellites, and quantum computing. He explains why trust in the quantum era cannot be treated as a feature layered on top of technology, but must be embedded at the architectural level — comparable to energy grids or financial systems.

Together, they discuss quantum security, the coming “Q-Day”, the geopolitical implications of technology sovereignty, and why Europe must learn to scale global technology champions. The conversation also examines how quantum computing will reshape encryption, finance, AI, and digital identity, and what this means for governments, companies, and society.

Moreira shares his long-term vision for a human-centric digital future, where technology strengthens resilience, autonomy, and consent rather than control.

A focused, wide-ranging, and deeply personal conversation with one of the architects shaping the foundations of trust in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Episode breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

01:32 The Importance of Trust in Technology

04:42 Sovereignty and Decentralization in Technology

07:15 The Evolution of Digital Trust

10:22 Building a Trust Infrastructure

13:37 The Role of Quantum Computing

16:30 The Urgency of Post-Quantum Security

19:22 The Future of Identity and Consent

22:20 Cultural Shifts in Identity and Trust

34:32 The Evolution of Digital Identity

37:45 Empowering Individuals in the Digital Age

42:35 AI as a Tool for Enhanced Decision-Making

50:50 The Intersection of Humanity and Technology

57:19 The Future of Human Enhancement and Technology

01:02:37 Innovations on the Horizon: WISeKey and SEALSQ

About Carlos Moreira

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carloscreusmoreira/

About Anders Indset

Anders Indset is the world’s leading business philosophers and the author of seven international bestsellers. With recent works such as Ex Machina – The God Experiment and The Singularity Paradox: Bridging the Gap Between Humanity and AI, his thought leadership has expanded far beyond economics and classical philosophy – earning him recognition from leading scientists and technologists, including prominent physicists. As the founder of tomorrowmensch, he invests in breakthrough science and technologies and convenes leading thinkers, investors, and entrepreneurs shaping the future.

NEW BOOK

The Quantum Economy: https://andersindset.com/shop/The-Quantum-Economy-p803754261

https://andersindset.com/

https://tomorrowmensch.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andersindset/

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In this episode, Anders Indset speaks with John Martinis, Nobel Prize–winning physicist (Nobel Prize in Physics, 2025) and one of the key architects of modern quantum computing, recorded at the World Economic Forum in Davos

Martinis reflects on his journey from early superconducting qubit experiments to the landmark quantum supremacy breakthrough at Google, and explains why building a scalable quantum computer is ultimately a systems-engineering challenge where manufacturability matters as much as physics. He shares his perspective on how quantum computing will complement classical computing and AI, why meaningful economic impact will take time, and why progress is likely to be slower—but ultimately deeper—than today’s hype suggests. 

A focused and personal conversation with one of the scientists who helped turn quantum computing from theory into reality.

Episode breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

00:59 Quantum Supremacy

03:57 Engineer vs. Physicist

07:17 The Feynman Moment

11:16 Scaling Quantum Computing

20:42 From Academia to Industry

28:53 Economics of Quantum36:52 Where the Real Synergies Lie39:36 Consciousness, Language & the Limits of Computation

55:22 Why Progress Still Matters

About John Martinis

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-martinis-5856911a6/ https://www.physics.ucsb.edu/people/john-martinis

About Anders Indset

Anders Indset is the world’s leading business philosophers and the author of seven international bestsellers. With recent works such as Ex Machina – The God Experiment and The Singularity Paradox: Bridging the Gap Between Humanity and AI, his thought leadership has expanded far beyond economics and classical philosophy – earning him recognition from leading scientists and technologists, including prominent physicists. As the founder of tomorrowmensch, he invests in breakthrough science and technologies and convenes leading thinkers, investors, and entrepreneurs shaping the future.

NEW BOOK:The Quantum Economy https://andersindset.com/shop/The-Quantum-Economy-p803754261

https://andersindset.com/

https://tomorrowmensch.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andersindset/

https://www.instagram.com/andersindse

thttp://x.com/andersindset

In this episode, Anders Indset speaks with Loïc Henriet, CEO of Pasqal, about quantum computing as it moves from theory into reality.

They discuss how quantum technology is leaving the lab, why neutral-atom processors are emerging as a scalable path, and how quantum will complement classical computing and AI rather than replace them. The conversation includes a clear 2026 outlook, explores Europe’s role in technological sovereignty, and opens a philosophical discussion on emergence, responsibility, and what quantum technology could mean for human agency in a world shaped by supercomputing.

A focused conversation on quantum advantage, leadership, and what it truly means for breakthrough science to become real.

Episode breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

02:11 From Curiosity to Capability

08:01 Between Promise and Reality

13:18 From Lab to Market

18:25 Quantum as a Strategic Asset

25:02 Quantum Meets AI

35:35 Measuring Progress

43:06 Technology, Responsibility and Society

47:31 A Reflective View on Quantum’s Future

About Loïc Henriet

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lo%C3%AFc-henriet-974b2a53/

About Anders Indset

Anders Indset is the world’s leading business philosopher and the author of seven international bestsellers. With recent works such as Ex Machina – The God Experiment and The Singularity Paradox: Bridging the Gap Between Humanity and AI, his thought leadership has expanded far beyond economics and classical philosophy – earning him recognition from leading scientists and technologists, including prominent physicists. As the founder of tomorrowmensch, he invests in breakthrough science and technologies and convenes leading thinkers, investors, and entrepreneurs shaping the future.

⁠https://andersindset.com/⁠⁠

https://tomorrowmensch.com/

⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andersindset/⁠⁠

https://www.instagram.com/andersindset⁠⁠

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NEW BOOK The Quantum Economy https://andersindset.com/shop/The-Quantum-Economy-p803754261

In this episode of The Quantum Economy Podcast, Anders Indset speaks with Andrew Cheung, Founder and CEO of 01 Quantum, about Q-Day, quantum computing, and the security risks already emerging today. They discuss why data can be stolen now and decrypted later, why the transition to quantum-safe security is more complex than most expect, and why execution speed matters more than technological hype.

A conversation about trust, leadership, and security in a post-quantum world.

Here’s the breakdown of the episode:

00:00 Introduction

01:52 Quantum Reality Check

09:26 Understanding the Quantum Risk

23:01 The Quantum Security Dilemma

32:44 The Global Quantum Race

37:09 Making Quantum Security Real

44:13 What Comes Next

About Andrew Cheung

https://www.linkedin.com/in/acheungquantum/?originalSubdomain=ca

Anders Indset is the world’s leading business philosophers and the author of seven international bestsellers. With recent works such as Ex Machina – The God Experiment and The Singularity Paradox: Bridging the Gap Between Humanity and AI, his thought leadership has expanded far beyond economics and classical philosophy – earning him recognition from leading scientists and technologists, including prominent physicists. As the founder of tomorrowmensch, he invests in breakthrough science and technologies and convenes leading thinkers, investors, and entrepreneurs shaping the future.

NEW BOOK – The Quantum Economy https://andersindset.com/shop/The-Quantum-Economy-p803754261

About Anders Indset

https://andersindset.com/

https://tomorrowmensch.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andersindset/

https://www.instagram.com/andersindset

http://x.com/andersindset

In this episode, Anders Indset speaks with Johan Strömqvist – Founder & CEO of Single Technologies and a pioneer of 3-D DNA sequencing.Johan shares how his background in physics, photonics, and biotechnology led to the development of the world’s fastest 3-D imaging system and a radically new way to read the code of life.

Together, Anders and Johan explore how biology is becoming programmable and why 3-D sequencing could transform what’s possible in life sciences. They discuss how AI and future quantum technologies may accelerate breakthroughs in genomics, synthetic biology, and regenerative medicine — from organs-on-demand to new ways of understanding the human brain.

They also reflect on global competition in deep tech, Sweden’s role as an innovation hub, and the ethical implications of a world where life itself becomes writable code.

Here’s the breakdown of the episode:

00:00 Introduction

01:55 From Engineering to Biotech

06:51 The Rise of 3D Sequencing

12:19 Making Life Visible

19:45 The Economics of Sequencing & Understanding Cells

27:29 Life Sciences Meets AI

37:51 Building Deep Tech

53:41 Ethics & the Future of Life Engineering

About Johan Strömqvist

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johan-str%C3%B6mqvist-5702492b/

About Anders Indset

Anders Indset is a leading business philosopher, author, and deep-tech investor. His latest book proposes Artificial Human Intelligence (AHI) as the future of humanity.

NEW BOOKThe Singularity Paradox: Bridging the Gap Between Humanity and AI https://www.amazon.com/dp/1394309643

https://andersindset.com/

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Anders Indset sits down with Steve Suarez – Founder & CEO of HorizonX, global quantum strategist, and former Global Head of Innovation at HSBC.

Steve explains how he fell in love with quantum technologies, why he created the Quantum Index, and what the data reveals about the industries and countries leading the global quantum race.

Together, Anders and Steve explore the future of quantum computing, the risks of hype, and why executive education is crucial for navigating the next wave of technological change. They also discuss the growing competition between Europe, the U.S., and the Middle East, and why the Gulf region is rapidly becoming a major deep-tech hub.

They reflect on the wider impact of emerging technologies, from new materials to personalized medicine, and why the coming decade may reshape how we think about innovation, value creation, and the role of humans in a rapidly accelerating world.

Here’s the breakdown of the episode:

00:00 Introduction

01:50 Foundations of the Quantum Era

11:42 Education, Measurement & the Reality of Quantum Progress

20:02 The Quantum Index in Action

31:45 Global Quantum Dynamics & Competitive Landscapes

39:45 Quantum Technology’s Impact on Society & Work

49:05 Consciousness, Technology & the Future of Reality

About Steve Suarez

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevesuarez/

About Anders Indset

Anders Indset is a leading business philosopher, author, and deep-tech investor. His latest book proposes Artificial Human Intelligence (AHI) as the future of humanity.
NEW BOOKThe Singularity Paradox: Bridging the Gap Between Humanity and AI ⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/1394309643

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In this episode, Anders Indset speaks with Liz Parrish – CEO of BioViva, pioneering advocate for gene therapies, and likely the world’s most gene-modified person.

Drawing from her personal journey – from her son’s type 1 diabetes diagnosis to her own decision to undergo multiple gene therapies – Liz shares how she became one of the most influential voices in longevity and regenerative medicine.

Together, they explore why aging may become optional, how regulation is slowing down life-saving innovation, and how gene therapy could progress from a frontier technology to a universal tool for human health.

These are the topics Liz and Anders are talking about:

00:00 Introduction

01:49 The Journey into Gene Therapy

13:14 Innovation Through Breaking Boundaries

21:41 The Biology of Tomorrow

36:24 Where Technology Meets Life

46:16 The Coming Human Future

01:01:37 Consciousness, Experience, and the Human Condition

About Liz Parrish

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizlparrish/

About Anders Indset

Anders Indset is a leading business philosopher, author, and deep-tech investor. His latest book proposes Artificial Human Intelligence (AHI) as the future of humanity.

NEW BOOKThe Singularity Paradox: Bridging the Gap Between Humanity and AI https://www.amazon.com/dp/1394309643

https://andersindset.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andersindset/

https://www.instagram.com/andersindset

http://x.com/andersindset