We live in an era where the boundary between the real and the possible seems to be dissolving. After the age of artificial intelligence comes the age of quantum - a force that is reshaping our understanding of the world as much as it opens new horizons for science, industry, and human thought. Quantum does not merely accelerate our calculations; it challenges our most fundamental certainties - those of determinism, causality, and even time itself. It reveals a universe where particles can exist both here and elsewhere, where the infinitely small shapes the infinitely large - a universe that, more than ever, confronts us with humility. But this revolution is not just abstract.

It carries within it the promise of tangible transformations: new medicines, unprecedented materials, unbreakable communications, better-controlled energy, safer transport. Provided, however, that this power serves humanity - and not the other way around.Like electricity once did, and digital technology more recently, quantum inspires both excitement and concern. It is up to us to understand it, to regulate it, and to embed it within the project of a civilization aware of its responsibilities. The danger does not lie in science itself, but in our refusal to make it an instrument of shared progress. It is in this spirit that Cannes - a city of culture and innovation - hosts the World Quantum Cannes Festival. This event continues a long tradition of openness, reflection, and boldness. It brings together researchers, industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to think collectively about this emerging new world.

As quantum promises to redefine technological and geopolitical balances, Cannes seeks to be a place where we anticipate, debate, and act - to ensure that the future remains human at its core.

"Like electricity once did, and digital technology more recently, quantum inspires both excitement and concern. It is up to us to understand it, to regulate it, and to embed it within the project of a civilization aware of its responsibilities"

David Lisnard Mayor of Cannes/President of the Cannes Lérins Agglomeration Community/Vice President of the Departmental Council of the Alpes-Maritimes

Throughout history, major scientific and technological revolutions have advanced humanity by transforming our beliefs, our models, and our ways of life. After the digital era and the age of artificial intelligence, a new chapter in this human adventure is now beginning: the quantum era.

By overturning our understanding of reality - where a particle can exist both here and elsewhere at the same time - quantum science paves the way for innovations that once seemed impossible: unprecedented computing power, unbreakable communications, revolutionary materials, and major medical breakthroughs. This revolution, both scientific and industrial, will transform our societies as much as it will challenge our relationship with knowledge, responsibility, and technological sovereignty. In the Alpes-Maritimes, we have chosen to anticipate these transformations. Through the SMART Deal, our department has embraced the challenge of sustainable, ethical, and locally rooted innovation. This program, unique in France, has placed digital transformation at the heart of local development - supporting businesses, research, and education while preserving environmental and human balance.

Today, this vision naturally extends into the quantum realm. Our ambition is clear: to make the Alpes-Maritimes a region of experimentation and trust, where technology remains at the service of collective progress.
It is in this spirit that we support the creation of the World Quantum Cannes Festival - a major international event bringing together scientists, industry leaders, investors, and policymakers around a shared ideal: transforming the power of quantum technology into tangible impact for society and for the future.

"This revolution, both scientific and industrial, will transform our societies as much as it will challenge our relationship with knowledge, responsibility, and technological sovereignty."

Since its creation, the Institut EuropIA has made it its mission to place technology at the service of humanity, society, and knowledge. We were the driving force behind the World Artificial Intelligence Cannes Festival (WAICF) - a pioneering event that brought together researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and citizens around an ethical, responsible, and human-centered vision of artificial intelligence. This initiative illustrated the Institute's conviction: every scientific and technological revolution - whether in AI, digital innovation, or emerging technologies - must be guided by humanistic principles, capable of transforming society without ever losing sight of dignity and the collective good.

Today, we stand at the dawn of a new frontier: the quantum era. This revolution goes far beyond computing power; it redefines our understanding of reality, causality, time, and space. Quantum technology promises unprecedented progress in key sectors such as health, energy, communications, finance, mobility, and environmental protection. Yet, if left unguided, this power also carries risks - ethical, social, and strategic.

The Institut EuropIA believes that quantum technology, like all disruptive innovations, must not only be mastered - it must be thought through, regulated, and directed toward the service of humanity and society. It calls for ongoing dialogue among researchers, businesses, investors, public authorities, and citizens. It advocates for the creation of an ecosystem where scientific discoveries can rapidly translate into real-world applications - always with discernment and responsibility. The World Quantum Cannes Festival fully embodies this vision. It serves as a European and international crossroads where scientific boldness, industrial ambition, and collective responsibility meet. It is a place where quantum science ceases to be an abstract concept and becomes a tangible force - one capable of shaping the future and addressing the great challenges of our time.

We at the Institut EuropIA are proud to support this initiative, convinced that the true value of a technology lies not only in its power or innovation, but in its ability to serve the common good, enrich human knowledge, and build a sustainable, inclusive, and human-centered future.

"This revolution goes far beyond computing power; it redefines our understanding of reality, causality, time, and space. Quantum technology promises unprecedented progress in key sectors such as health, energy, communications, finance, mobility, and environmental protection."

Marco Landi President of the EuropIA Institute