We are publishing articles on our website from the essay collection Visio 2040 – When Things Were Done Boldly and Fearlessly in Finland. Juha Vartiainen, the founder of IQM, envisions Finland becoming a leader in innovation and sustainable solutions.
By the year 2040, Finland has risen to the forefront of innovation and sustainable solutions. The potential of quantum technology to transform societies has played a significant role in the latest advancement of Finland and other industrialized nations, where growth has been characterized by the widespread use of advanced AI methods and access to nearly unlimited computing resources. In everyday life, this is evident in individualized and efficient precision medicines, safe and reliable IT services, cheaper renewable energy, and lower food bills due to the use of more affordable fertilizers in agriculture.
With this positive development, IQM has grown into an international giant comparable to Nvidia, enhancing the operations of many other industries. Finland’s quantum ecosystem has flourished, and its ripple effects in the form of new jobs have spread widely across high-tech sectors and the service industry. This has generated diverse expertise and innovations, strengthening Finland’s position as a high-tech nation in global competition. The significant growth in high-tech exports has positively impacted Finland’s GDP and trade balance. As exports have increased, the country’s economic performance has improved, creating sustainable growth and a positive impact on the stability of the national economy.
This economic boom has also enabled investments in other key sectors, eased the sustainability crisis in public finances, and improved citizens’ well-being. Finland’s defense has been significantly strengthened as defense and security applications have advanced. The use of quantum technology in these areas has created new strategic opportunities, enhancing the country’s ability to respond to complex security challenges. Innovative solutions and technological advancements have strengthened Finland’s position as a leader and ally in security and defense.
The foundation for this development lies in the significant investments made by the Finnish government in the 2020s in quantum technology, faster commercialization of research results, the development of domestic expertise, and reducing dependency on other countries, even aiming for technological self-sufficiency. This transformation has been supported by the reform of education programs and active participation in international innovation networks. This has taken place in a global context where Europe is navigating between the United States and China. Finland has acted as a reliable partner for its allies, benefiting from and developing its own expertise and visibility. The European Commission’s 2023 decision to highlight ten critical technology areas, including quantum technology, is a concrete example of the shift in technology policy that Finland must respond to.
However, several factors could threaten the realization of this future vision, such as insufficient investment in research and development, a shortage of skilled labor, and weakened international cooperation. Another risk is that increased regulation may undermine the healthy growth of the ecosystem, leading to a technological advantage for competitors. A lack of capital could result in companies shifting ownership to competitor countries during the expansion phase.
My message to Finnish decision-makers is clear: the time for the quantum industry is now. We must invest boldly in new, winning technologies and reform our education system. Finland must leverage its strengths and capitalize on its expertise. Clear regulation and integrating private sector expertise into decision-making are key. Initiatives like Kvanttinova and the national quantum computer project are excellent examples of this. Development must not stop.
Juha Vartiainen, IQM
(Picture: Vision 2040 launch event 19.8.2024.)