Keynote Speakers
Jeanette Miriam Lorenz
Fraunhofer Institute for Cognitive Systems IKS
Quantum computing beyond any hype: what it can do and what it cannot do
Since the beginning of 2023, PD Dr. habil. Jeanette Miriam Lorenz has been head of the department "Quantum Computing" at the Fraunhofer Institute for Cognitive Systems IKS. She has already been working as a Senior Scientist at Fraunhofer IKS since April 2021 on enabling reliable and robust quantum computing. Jeanette Lorenz studied physics and mathematics at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen and the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, followed by many years of research in experimental high-energy particle physics at CERN and in Munich. In 2014, she received her PhD with honors from LMU Munich. In 2020, she habilitated and has since been teaching at the Faculty of Physics at LMU as associate professor. She currently leads the consortium on applications of quantum computing within the Munich Quantum Valley.
Sadaf R. Alam
University of Bristol
Who Owns the Compute? Sovereign AI Supercomputing Infrastructure and the Next Decade of Intelligence
Dr Sadaf R. Alam drives Bristol's frontier supercomputing capabilities as Director of Advanced Computing Strategy and CTO at the Bristol Centre for Supercomputing (BriCS). Since joining the University of Bristol in 2022, she has led transformation of research computing and data services, co-founding Isambard-AI, national federated supercomputing resources, and sustainable digital research infrastructure (DRI) strategies. Previously CTO at CSCS (Swiss National Supercomputing Centre), she was chief architect for multiple generations of the Piz Daint systems and the MeteoSwiss operational forecasting platforms. With a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Edinburgh, and experience at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Sadaf blends deep technical expertise with visionary leadership in sovereign AI, HPC, quantum and data services architecture.
Abstract
The story of modern AI is usually told through models, but the more consequential story is about the supercomputing infrastructure beneath them: who owns it, who governs it, and on what terms nations can access frontier compute. Drawing on the design and delivery of national-scale AI research resources, this keynote argues that sovereign, open, and sustainable supercomputing infrastructure is becoming a foundational determinant of national capability, scientific competitiveness, and democratic resilience. It examines how federated and independently governed compute can serve as a basis for international collaboration rather than a barrier to it, and outlines the technical, economic, and governance challenges that will define durable AI capability over the coming decade.
Valeria Bartsch
Fraunhofer Center for Maritime Logistics and Services
Quantum Computing – a new drive for shipping?
Valeria Bartsch is Senior Scientist in Maritime Scientific Computing and Optimization at Fraunhofer CML, where she develops quantum computing approaches for maritime use cases, including logistics optimization. She previously built and led a Quantum Computing team in Kaiserslautern, advancing topics such as HPC-QC integration, quantum chemistry, and compiler technologies. With a background spanning particle physics at CERN, high-performance computing, and leadership roles in national and European quantum initiatives, she brings a rare combination of scientific depth and applied innovation to the question of how quantum computing could become a new driver for shipping.
Abstract
The presentation explores how quantum computing could become a new driver for shipping by addressing complex maritime optimization challenges with high economic and operational impact. Using practical Fraunhofer CML use cases such as maritime inventory routing for chemical tankers, cargo routing for bulk shipping, berth assignment, and tug boat scheduling, it highlights both the promise and the current limitations of quantum and hybrid quantum-classical approaches.