Technology & IT Services
Quantum Technology: An Emerging Field Becoming a Strategic Necessity
15 min read
Quantum technology is moving fast from research to strategy, set to reshape industries. For Danish boards, timing and readiness are crucial. Those who act early will gain advantage—quantum is no longer science fiction, but a strategic necessity.
At Odgers, we see quantum technology moving rapidly from the edges of research into the core of strategic business discussions. For boards and executive teams, the challenge is not to master the science, but to decide when and how to prepare for a technology that could fundamentally reshape industries.
Quantum technology remains a field that few fully understand. Yet its potential impact on business is enormous.
Beyond faster calculations, it promises breakthroughs such as new materials, life-changing medicines, and radically optimized global supply chains.The question for leadership is therefore not whether quantum technology will become relevant, but when. And as with any transformative technology, timing and readiness are decisive. To put this into perspective, Odgers spoke with Anne Marie Engtoft Meldgaard, Denmark’s Tech Ambassador at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who generously took time out of her maternity leave to share her reflections on what the global race for quantum means for Danish companies and their boards.
Quantum computing is not a question of ‘if,’ but ‘when.
A new geopolitical front
Anne Marie Engtoft Meldgaard points out that quantum technology has already become part of the global power struggle between the great powers. Where the field was once defined by open international research collaboration, it has now turned into a geopolitical technology race. The United States and China are investing massively in quantum technology, and the first fully functioning quantum computer will not only have scientific significance but also profound consequences for national security, competitiveness, and economic strengthEurope, including Denmark, however, has a unique opportunity. With strong research environments, a national quantum strategy, a growing start-up ecosystem and large investments from, among others, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, there is fertile ground to build an independent, competitive quantum industry.
What does this mean for Danish businesses?
That quantum technology is still in its early stages does not mean that leadership can lean back. On the contrary, timing is critical.Boards and executive teams should already:
- Closely follow developments and understand the technology’s maturity curve.
- Identify use cases in their own industry, for example, in energy, finance, logistics, or pharma.
- Consider the competitive situation: How might quantum technology change the rules of the game in their industry?
Ensure competencies in the board and leadership that can navigate uncertainty and make long-term decisions
This is not a question of waiting and seeing. It is an opportunity to make our industry relevant in the 21st century and strengthen our competitiveness. What makes quantum technology so extremely exciting is that it challenges aspects of our understanding of reality. On a subtle level, it becomes an ontological shift.
Leadership requires courage and new competencies
Navigating into the quantum era requires leaders who dare to ask new questions and embrace complexity. According to Anne Marie, it will be crucial to assemble teams with widely different backgrounds: from quantum physicists and chemists to philosophers, diplomats or entrepreneurs.This means that the leaders of the future must be able to balance technological insight, strategic judgment, and the courage to act in a field where there are no clear answers.
Odgers’ perspective
Quantum technology is no longer science fiction. It is an emerging reality with the potential to transform entire industries. The question is not if it will become a strategic necessity, but when.
As a global advisor in executive search, we see that the winners of the future will be the companies whose leaders detect technological shifts early and dare to act before their competitors do. You don’t need to be able to explain qubits in detail yourself, but you must have a strategy for how your company follows developments, builds partnerships, and knows when to invest.
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