A revolution as human as it is technological · understanding the second quantum revolution · “Art & Quantum” trail of the World Quantum Cannes Festival, 17–18 November 2026.
We are living through the second quantum revolution: mastering phenomena such as superposition and entanglement is paving the way for quantum computing.
Two quantum revolutions
First quantum revolution. Understanding the properties of matter. It made lasers and electronic components possible.
Second quantum revolution. Directly controlling and harnessing superposition and entanglement, notably for quantum computing.
Three notions to get started
A qubit is neither quite 0 nor quite 1: it is both at once, until it is measured.
01 · The bit. The basic unit of classical computing. It takes the value 0 or 1.
02 · The qubit. The unit of quantum computing: a superposition of 0 and 1; measurement yields one of the two, according to probabilities.
03 · Entanglement. Several qubits bound by a common state: their measurements remain correlated, even at a distance.
A film to convey ideas through images
Engineers, physicists, humanists and artists have created a short film that, through animation and visual storytelling, offers reference points for approaching these concepts without any technical background. An initiative by Antonella Guidazzoli and CINECA VisitLab, presented at WAICF 2025 and continued at the World Quantum Cannes Festival.
From research to applications
In Bologna, CINECA pairs its Leonardo supercomputer with two quantum computers: hybrid classical–quantum computing in the service of simulation, optimisation and AI. An IQM quantum computer will be present during the festival, on the Quantum Art stand hosted by Diana Vicinelli Landi and presented by CINECA Bologna.
Discover the other stages of the trail: Arotin & Serghei – Infinite Time Machine, Studio Above&Below – Quantum Lens, Video works and From the visible to the invisible.