Can a cat make computers faster, communications more secure, and sensors more accurate? In this talk, Yasser Omar introduces the principles of quantum physics in anon-technical way, including the enigmatic Schrödinger’s cat, to illustrate how these concepts can be applied in the development of revolutionary information technologies.The potential consequences of quantum technologies for the information society are also discussed, considering their impacts on quality of life, health, security, citizenship, sovereignty, environmental sustainability, and our understanding of the Universe.

Yasser Omar is a professor at Instituto Superior Técnico(IST), a doctor in physics from the University of Oxford, and founder of QuTe Lab—Quantum Technologies Laboratory, where wireless quantum communications were demonstrated for the first time in Portugal. He is involved in leading theEuropean quantum technologies program, is a member of the advisory board of CERN’s Quantum Technology Initiative, and is president of PQI—Portuguese Quantum Institute