The picture is clearer than ever: Europe is losing ground to the United States and China in the crucial fields of quantum technologies and artificial intelligence. If this trend is not quickly reversed, there is a risk that Europe will compromise its ability to compete technologically and its role in future geostrategic scenarios.
The Ced2023 report on frontier technologies sounds the alarm, emphasizing that the Old Continent is in search of a definitive solution. Meanwhile, Italy, despite possessing significant potential, must strike a balance between new regulations and national excellence.
Europe and Italy must act urgently, accelerating targeted industrial and innovation policies. Rosario Cedda, Ced President, underscores the importance of leveraging the vast potential of skills and technologies that Italy and the EU possess. The gap is widening, especially in the fields of quantum technologies and artificial intelligence, where the United States has taken technological leadership, and China is rapidly making strides.
The report thoroughly analyzes the international positioning concerning quantum technologies and artificial intelligence, considering them frontier technologies. Merely looking at the number of publications or patents is not enough; quality, measured in terms of citation impact, is crucial.
What does the Ced2023 report say?
In the field of quantum theories, the United States leads with 47.3% in high-impact scientific publications, significantly surpassing China (27.6%). Germany, with 17%, stands out among other EU economies, including France (7.4%), Spain (5.7%), and Italy (5.5%).
Looking at high-impact patents considered “Top 10%” (those for which protection has been sought in at least 3 of the 4 major global patent offices), the United States maintains a strong global position at 45.7%, followed by Japan at 23.3%, the EU at 18.4%, and China at 14.1%. Italy, lags behind with a 2% share in quantum technology patents.
In artificial intelligence, the United States also leads in terms of cited scientific articles, with 40.2%, followed by China with 31.5%. Italy, despite its potential, still faces challenges, with a 3.6% share.
The ranking of the “Top 10%” in terms of citations paints an even clearer picture. The evidence confirms the global leadership role played by the United States, with a share of 52%. The EU follows at a distance with 17.5%, then Japan (15.3%), and China at 12.6%. Italy is present with a 0.6%.
It is time to accelerate and implement a truly intelligent, systemic industrial and innovation policy that can develop crucial technological capabilities for the future. For Italy, despite its position of weakness, the report suggests that the country can enhance technological competitiveness by leveraging the excellence present in the national territory in frontier technologies.
