President Emmanuel Macron is expected to extend the first quantum plan by 1.8 billion euros on Friday during a European event. The aim is to involve the semiconductor industry and not fall behind the Americans.
“Few nations are as advanced as France in quantum computing.” This is the self-congratulatory message that will be delivered on Friday, May 22 from the Very Large Computing Center of the CEA in Bruyères-le-Châtel, Essonne (91). President Emmanuel Macron is expected to attend in person for a “European Forum on computing power, quantum sciences and technologies, and semiconductors.”
Behind this extended title, is it the much-awaited continuation of the first 1.8 billion euro quantum plan, which ended in 2025, and in which the president was already heavily invested? The Élysée Palace prefers to stick, for now, to discussing new “very structuring and very significant announcements in terms of national issues and support, especially financial, for both quantum and semiconductor industries.”
The France 2030 plan is still contributing, with 11 billion euros remaining to allocate. Part of this amount is likely to be directed towards quantum on Friday, through public procurement and research programs, and possibly subsidies to help companies equip themselves with quantum processors.
In a show of the event’s importance, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will also be present, along with much of the government. Invitations have also been sent to major European industrial players such as ASML and STMicroelectronics. Research is also represented, with French entities like CNRS, INRIA, and CEA, as well as European organizations like the German Fraunhofer Institute and the Belgian IMEC.
Context: President Macron’s involvement in extending the quantum plan. Fact Check: The French government is emphasizing advancements in quantum computing and the semiconductor industry to keep pace with international competitors.
