Quantum physics, or the wealth of possibilities. From the mysteries of reality to the technologies of tomorrow – Free public lecture

On 17 November 2026 at 6:30 pm, EDHEC Quantum Institute will host a free public lecture as part of the World Quantum Cannes Festival. Admission is subject to availability. Like artificial intelligence a few years ago, quantum technology is moving beyond the circle of specialists to become a strategic issue. Long seen as a field reserved for experts, it is now attracting the attention of major companies, particularly in banking, pharmaceuticals, energy and aerospace. Many are monitoring developments, exploring potential applications and already launching experiments. In this context, understanding quantum technology is becoming a shared concern, extending beyond laboratories and innovation departments. To make these developments accessible to a wider audience, EDHEC Quantum Institute is organizing a public lecture entitled “Quantum: The Wealth of Possibility. From the Mysteries of Reality to the Technologies of Tomorrow” on 17 November 2026 at 6:30 pm at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, in Conference Room 1. The lecture will bring together Lionel Martellini, a professor at EDHEC for more than 30 years, with a PhD in astrophysics and founder and director of EDHEC Quantum Institute, and Charles Antoine, a quantum physicist, science communicator and associate professor at Sorbonne University. At the intersection of physics, finance and today’s major technological challenges, Lionel Martellini’s career reflects EDHEC Quantum Institute’s ambition: to bring the fundamental sciences into dialogue with the economic world and society. Together with Charles Antoine, he will offer the audience an engaging and accessible perspective on a field often seen as abstract, yet already central to many strategic discussions. Designed for a non-specialist audience, the lecture will offer a lively, clear and practical introduction to quantum science, with no scientific background required. It will help participants understand what quantum physics tells us about reality, why it challenges our intuition, and how it is paving the way for new technologies in fields as varied as computing, communications, measurement and modelling. Through this lecture, EDHEC Quantum Institute continues its mission to share knowledge and foster dialogue between science, business and society. The aim is simple: to help everyone better understand the major scientific changes underway, beyond the hype and misconceptions. Registration is free but required. https://event-quantuminstitute.edhec.edu/conference