Dialogue with Cologne Citizens: Simon Trebst Invited to the City Hall 

On June 2, 2025, the ML4Q Cluster of Excellence (Matter and Light for Quantum Computing) and the Kölner Wissenschaftsrunde (Cologne Science Forum) invited the public to an evening lecture in the Spanish Building of Cologne’s City Hall. In a fully packed Europasaal – with many guests even standing throughout the 90-minute event – Prof. Dr. Simon Trebst spoke about the current state of quantum computing research.

The event began with warm welcoming remarks from Deputy Mayor Ralf Heinen, who emphasized the importance of science communication and interdisciplinary exchange for Cologne as a hub of research and innovation.

Prof. Trebst then took the audience on a journey – from the first mechanical computing tools of the Inca civilization to classical computers and today’s quantum computing prototypes. He explained which areas of application are already being actively explored and where the technology is expected to gain relevance in the coming years.

The following discussion focused on both opportunities and challenges: What contributions can fundamental research make toward alternative hardware approaches? What role do intellectual property rights play? And how can collaboration between universities and major tech companies be made successful?

We thank the Cologne Science Forum for the opportunity to present our cluster’s research to the public.

Impressions