By Paulina Assmann, CEO and co-founder of Sequre Quantum and expert member of Chile’s Advisory Commission on Quantum Technologies
Chile’s National Quantum Technologies Strategy arrives at a pivotal moment. Not only does it consolidate years of scientific research, it also brings an urgent discussion to the forefront: how we protect our data, our critical infrastructure, and ultimately our digital sovereignty in an increasingly vulnerable world.
Quantum technologies are no longer just a laboratory promise. They are beginning to define who controls their systems, who can guarantee the confidentiality of their data, and who depends on technologies developed beyond their borders. In this context, Chile holds a valuable asset: real capabilities built over decades, supported by advanced human capital, scientific infrastructure, and knowledge that can now be translated into concrete solutions.
At the international level, leading countries have understood that the focus is no longer solely on research, but on bringing quantum technologies into real-world applications. Securing communications, strengthening cybersecurity, and preparing existing systems for a post-quantum scenario are already part of an active global agenda. Chile joins this conversation with a clear advantage: it is not starting from theory, but from developments that already work and can scale.
This is where the strategy gains real meaning. Talking about quantum technologies is talking about national security, technological autonomy, and the ability to decide how—and with what tools—a country protects its critical information. This is not an abstract or distant debate; it is a decision that directly affects governments, companies, and individuals.
From the perspective of those who have worked to bring quantum science from the laboratory into real operational environments, we know that trust is as important as innovation. The technologies that will underpin future digital security must be robust, auditable, and capable of integrating with existing infrastructure. Incorporating this learning into the roadmap was essential.
In this sense, the newly presented roadmap sends a clear signal. Chile is choosing to take quantum technologies seriously as a strategic pillar—not to replicate external models, but to build from its own strengths a meaningful contribution to the global ecosystem. In a world where digital security and technological sovereignty will become increasingly decisive, that choice matters—and it matters a great deal.
