The Quantum Talent Gap
Most people start to understand that Quantum Technologies will be the next game changer after AI. However, few realize the challenges created by the shortage of quantum-trained professionals, and how this will impact IT, cybersecurity, and business in general.
In this article, I just want to share, in a simple, straight-to-the-point way, why the quantum revolution matters, why the lack of quantum skills is becoming a real problem, how companies can start acting today, and how we at QuRISK are working to bridge that gap with the help of AI.
This is a quick read, made for anyone curious about how to prepare their organization and their people for what’s coming next.
⚛️ The Quantum revolution and the urgency to prepare
Quantum technologies are no longer confined to labs. They’re entering business, cybersecurity, and infrastructure.
The quantum computing market is expected to reach $4.24 Billion by 2030, growing at over 20% CAGR (Grand View Research, 2024).
And according to BCG, the broader quantum tech ecosystem could generate up to $850 Billion in economic value by 2040.
🚨 This revolution also brings new risks. Quantum computers will eventually break today’s encryption, making Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) essential for future cybersecurity.
It’s urgent for companies to begin their quantum-resilience journey, since full migration can take 5 to 10 years, which aligns closely with the expected timeline for mature quantum computers.
Companies must begin hiring IT and cybersecurity professionals skilled in quantum technologies. Soon, they will also need experts trained in other quantum-related domains, not limited to IT or security, to accompany this transformation and explore the new opportunities quantum adoption power will unlock.
That means we will need a lot more quantum-trained people in various domains.
🧠 The skills shortage: a hidden threat to Quantum progress
Quantum tech isn’t just complex, it’s deeply interdisciplinary. It mixes physics, maths, computer science, cryptography, and systems engineering.
And here’s the problem: the workforce simply isn’t ready.
“Only 1 qualified quantum professional for every 3 job openings”. Today in 2025, less than 50% of quantum jobs may be filled. (McKinsey, 2023)
In Europe, some roles (like quantum photonic engineers) have “a pool of barely a dozen candidates.”(Sifted, 2024)
95 % of organizations admit they don’t yet have a quantum strategy or roadmap. (ISACA Quantum Computing Report, 2025)
The result? Businesses eager to explore quantum use cases or migrate to PQC are limited not only by budget, but also by people.
And as mentioned, cybersecurity is only the first domain exposed to the need for quantum-proficient professionals …
💡 How companies can start preparing now
From my experience in IT management consulting and digital transformation, one lesson always proves true: every technology transformation fails or succeeds based on people.
Quantum adoption is no different. Companies that start preparing now will lead this transformation. Here’s how they can begin:
Map existing quantum skills and gaps. Who understands PQC, quantum risk, or quantum algorithms?
Train and upskill current IT and cybersecurity teams. Make quantum literacy part of the culture.
Build cross-functional teams. Combine quantum specialists with traditional IT, risk, and security experts.
Engage HR early. Develop competency frameworks, talent pipelines, and partnerships with academia.
The sooner this begins, the better prepared organizations will be for the coming quantum era.
Companies can also seek support from specialized consultants, such as QuRISK, although even here, demand far exceeds supply.
There simply aren’t enough quantum experts to meet the demand.
So we asked ourselves: how can we use technology itself to close the knowledge gap?
🚀 Meet oQo — Quantum Knowledge, Powered by AI
If human resources dedicated to Quantum are scarce, and universities can’t adapt fast enough, then AI must step in to help professionals self-train and stay ahead. At first glance, our problem is solved. Publicly available Large Language Models (LLMs) are progressing at a stunning pace. But the quantum field is unlike any other: it’s evolving, complex, and often uncertain. What’s true today might be wrong tomorrow.
That’s why we’re building a Quantum Knowledge Database (QKD): a high-quality, verified, and continuously updated knowledge base, free from web noise.
Our quantum experts at QuRISK curate and maintain this database, enriched with proprietary data from our Quantum Risk and Cybersecurity Lab (QRC Lab).
From this foundation, we’re training a specialized LLM, and the result is our beta AI: oQo.
🦉 Like the owl that symbolizes it, gifted with night vision, oQo helps professionals navigate the complex and dark realm of Quantum.
oQo is designed to be much more than a Q&A tool. Beyond its current MVP (Minimum Viable Product), it will include modules that generate personalized information streams, adapting content by role and expertise:
💼 A marketing professional can follow quantum market trends and innovation.
🔐 A CISO will receive advanced, technical cybersecurity updates.
It will also include self-learning modules to help professionals build quantum fluency.
Ultimately, our vision is for oQo to become an interactive, open platform that promotes collaboration across the quantum ecosystem, with community-driven modules encouraging discussion on various topics such as research, hardware comparisons, or innovation brainstorming on how quantum can best serve society.
In the short term, oQo is our answer to democratize quantum knowledge, upskill professionals, and bridge the global talent gap.
🧩 Conclusion: build your quantum-ready workforce NOW
Quantum is no longer tomorrow’s topic, it’s today’s challenge. The organizations that prepare their people as well as their technology will lead in the next decade.
Ask yourself:
✅ Do we have a quantum roadmap?
✅ Are we mapping our cryptographic inventory for PQC migration?
✅ Are our teams and leaders ready for quantum adoption and quantum resilience?
If not: start now.
🔗 Let’s Connect
If you’re passionate about quantum technologies, cybersecurity, or the future of AI-driven knowledge, I’d love to hear from you.
Together, let’s build a workforce ready for the quantum age.
🌐 Learn more: 👉 www.qurisk.fr 👉 www.myoqo.ai
