It’s a real privilege to welcome Olivier Ezratty to the @HPCpodcast. Based in France, Olivier is one of the most respected independent voices in quantum technologies: an author, educator, and advisor who has spent years bridging the gap between deep science and real-world understanding. Through his widely read blog Olivier Ezratty’s blog (Opinions Libres) and his work with the Quantum Energy Initiative, he brings both technical rigor and a grounded perspective to a field that is often difficult to navigate.

Olivier is also well-known for his monumental open-source book, Understanding Quantum Technologies, a continually updated reference that spans everything from quantum physics fundamentals to hardware, software, ecosystems, and geopolitics. Offered freely to the community, the book has become a go-to resource for engineers, researchers, and decision-makers, reflecting Olivier’s mission to provide free open access to high-quality knowledge in this rapidly evolving field.

Beyond writing, Olivier teaches at leading French institutions, advises governments and industry bodies, and co-hosts a long-running quantum podcast that tracks the latest scientific and commercial developments. You can follow his work and connect with him on LinkedIn. Olivier brings a rare combination of depth, clarity, and intellectual honesty.

We’re delighted to have him with us today in a lively, candid, and wide-ranging discussion of the state of Quantum Computing.