Can We Now Engineer Nature Itself?

After The Quantum Revolution

What if some of the most important questions in physics are still waiting to be properly asked? In this episode of The Quantum Economy Podcast, Anders Indset speaks with Chiara Marletto, physicist at the University of Oxford and co-developer of Constructor Theory alongside David Deutsch. Constructor Theory is one of the most ambitious new frameworks in fundamental physics today, going beneath the laws of motion to ask a deeper question: what is possible, what is impossible and why. In this conversation, they explore: * What Constructor Theory is and how it offers a new way to think about physical reality, from information and thermodynamics to the physics of life and the mind * Why time may be more fundamental and more difficult to explain than current physical theories suggest * Why physics is not only a technical discipline, but also a deeply creative act of imagination and explanation * Why both the education system and the funding system increasingly struggle with forms of knowledge creation that cannot easily be measured or categorized * Why many of the most important research questions today do not fit existing institutional frameworks and therefore often remain underexplored * Why progress in science depends on creating environments where difficult and foundational questions can still be pursued This is a conversation about knowledge, creativity, physics, and the institutional structures that shape what kinds of questions society is willing to explore. Episode breakown: 00:00 - Introduction: Why Physics Needs a Revolution 02:37 - Constructor Theory Explained: A New Foundation for Physics 09:09 - Why Quantum Mechanics Can't Explain Information & Life 19:36 - Is Darwinian Evolution Just Physics? Reductionism Debate 30:47 - What Is Time Really? A Physicist's Surprising Answer 38:03 - Quantum Theory at 100: Why We've Stopped Making Progress 50:42 - The Physics of Consciousness & What AI Gets Wrong 1:01:18 - Why Science Funding Is Killing Fundamental Research About Chiara Marletto https://www.linkedin.com/in/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiara-marletto-1b2338227/]chiara-marletto-1b2338227/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiara-marletto-1b2338227/] https://www.chiaramarletto.com/ [https://www.chiaramarletto.com/] https://www.constructortheory.org/ [https://www.constructortheory.org/] About Anders Indset Anders Indset is the world’s leading business philosopher and the author of seven international bestsellers. With recent works such as The Singularity Paradox: Bridging the Gap Between Humanity and AI and Ex Machina – The God Experiment, his thought leadership has expanded far beyond economics and classical philosophy – earning him recognition from leading scientists and technologists, including prominent physicists. As the founder of tomorrowmensch, he invests in breakthrough science and technologies and convenes leading thinkers, investors, and entrepreneurs shaping the future. NEW BOOK The Quantum Economy https://andersindset.com/shop/The-Quantum-Economy-p803754261 [https://andersindset.com/shop/The-Quantum-Economy-p803754261] https://andersindset.com/ [https://andersindset.com/] https://tomorrowmensch.com/ [https://tomorrowmensch.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/andersindset/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andersindset/] https://www.linkedin.com/company/tomorrowmensch/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/tomorrowmensch/] https://www.instagram.com/andersindset [https://www.instagram.com/andersindset] https://andersindset.substack.com/ [https://andersindset.substack.com/] http://x.com/andersindset [http://x.com/andersindset]

What Nobody Tells You About Qubit Count

The quantum computing race is obsessed with one number: qubit count. But what if that’s simply not the right metric? In this episode, Anders Indset speaks with Thomas Luschmann, Co-Founder and COO of Peak Quantum — a Munich-based deep-tech startup that embeds error protection directly into the hardware architecture, rather than relying on costly error correction after the fact. In this conversation, they explore: * Why more qubits alone will never deliver industrially useful quantum computing and what "better qubits" actually means * How Peak Quantum's hardware-intrinsic approach compares to cat qubits, fluxonium, and topological qubits * What it really takes to turn world-class university research into a fundable deep-tech company * Whether Europe can build a sovereign quantum future or whether economic reality will force its best startups to look elsewhere * What it means to build technology that may already be beyond our full understanding and what that tells us about where humanity is headed Thomas also shares Peak Quantum's 12-month proof-of-concept roadmap and his honest take on deep-tech fundraising, talent, and the asymmetry of who gets access to the first truly powerful quantum machines. Whether you're interested in quantum hardware, European innovation, or the deeper questions at the edge of science and society, this conversation goes well beyond the qubit count. About Thomas Luschmann https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-luschmann/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-luschmann/] https://www.linkedin.com/company/peak-quantum-computing/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/peak-quantum-computing/] https://peakquantum.de/ [https://peakquantum.de/] About Anders Indset Anders Indset is the world’s leading business philosophers and the author of seven international bestsellers. With recent works such as Ex Machina – The God Experiment and The Singularity Paradox: Bridging the Gap Between Humanity and AI, his thought leadership has expanded far beyond economics and classical philosophy – earning him recognition from leading scientists and technologists, including prominent physicists. As the founder of tomorrowmensch, he invests in breakthrough science and technologies and convenes leading thinkers, investors, and entrepreneurs shaping the future. NEW BOOK The Quantum Economy https://andersindset.com/shop/The-Quantum-Economy-p803754261 [https://andersindset.com/shop/The-Quantum-Economy-p803754261] https://andersindset.com/ [https://andersindset.com/] https://tomorrowmensch.com/ [https://tomorrowmensch.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/andersindset/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andersindset/] https://www.linkedin.com/company/tomorrowmensch/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/tomorrowmensch/] https://www.instagram.com/ [https://www.instagram.com/andersindset]andersindset [https://www.instagram.com/andersindset] http://x.com/andersindset [http://x.com/andersindset]

Can We Now Engineer Nature Itself?

What if quantum computing allowed us to engineer nature at the atomic level? In this episode of The Quantum Economy Podcast, Anders Indset speaks with Professor Michelle Simmons, Founder & CEO of Silicon Quantum Computing and one of the world’s leading quantum materials scientists. For over 25 years, Simmons has pioneered a new approach to quantum computing, building systems atom by atom in silicon. This goes beyond faster computation. It opens the possibility to understand, simulate, and ultimately engineer nature itself. In this conversation, we explore: * What it means to engineer nature at the atomic scale * The race to build a fault-tolerant quantum computer * Why silicon-based, atom-level qubits could unlock scalability * How quantum systems allow us to simulate and recreate materials (“quantum twins”) * The convergence of quantum computing and AI * The philosophical implications: Are we moving from observing nature  to designing it? Michelle shares insights into her company’s roadmap toward a million-qubit quantum computer by 2033, and how her team is already delivering early products that accelerate AI and solve real-world problems. Beyond technology, this episode explores the mindset behind innovation, where competition, collaboration, and curiosity come together to tackle some of the hardest challenges in science. Whether you're interested in quantum computing, artificial intelligence, deep tech, or the future of innovation, this conversation offers a rare inside look at one of the most advanced fields shaping our world. About Michelle Simmons https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-simmons-34662921a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-simmons-34662921a/] https://www.linkedin.com/company/silicon-quantum-computing-pty-ltd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/silicon-quantum-computing-pty-ltd/] https://www.sqc.com.au/ [https://www.sqc.com.au/]About Anders Indset Anders Indset is the world’s leading business philosophers and the author of seven international bestsellers. With recent works such as Ex Machina – The God Experiment and The Singularity Paradox: Bridging the Gap Between Humanity and AI, his thought leadership has expanded far beyond economics and classical philosophy – earning him recognition from leading scientists and technologists, including prominent physicists. As the founder of tomorrowmensch, he invests in breakthrough science and technologies and convenes leading thinkers, investors, and entrepreneurs shaping the future. NEW BOOK The Quantum Economy https://andersindset.com/shop/The-Quantum-Economy-p803754261 [https://andersindset.com/shop/The-Quantum-Economy-p803754261] https://andersindset.com/ [https://andersindset.com/] https://tomorrowmensch.com/ [https://tomorrowmensch.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/andersindset/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andersindset/] https://www.instagram.com/ [https://www.instagram.com/andersindset]andersindset [https://www.instagram.com/andersindset] http://x.com/andersindset [http://x.com/andersindset]

What If Europe’s Biggest Weakness Becomes Its Advantage?

Europe is often seen as strong in science but weak in execution. In quantum technology, this is starting to change. In this episode of The Quantum Economy Podcast, Anders Indset speaks with Prof. Tommaso Calarco, Director at Forschungszentrum Jülich and one of the key figures behind Europe’s Quantum Flagship. They discuss the current state of quantum technology in Europe, the global race with the US and China, and how Europe is moving from research into real-world deployment. Quantum systems are being deployed and tested in public infrastructure, supercomputing platforms, and communication networks across Europe. This episode covers: * The future of quantum computing and quantum infrastructure in Europe * Europe’s role in the global quantum technology race * The challenge of venture capital, scale-up funding, and deep tech investment * Different approaches to quantum computing, including neutral atoms, semiconductors, and NV centers * How quantum communication infrastructure is being developed * Why quantum can strengthen European collaboration and technological sovereignty The conversation also explores broader questions: * How quantum systems influence our understanding of information, probability, and decision-making * The role of education, quantum engineering, and interdisciplinary skills * How quantum technologies and AI influence society and governance A grounded and forward-looking conversation on quantum and Europe’s position in the next wave of technology innovation. About Tommaso Calarco https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/research/research-fields/information/quantum-technology/tommaso-calarco [https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/research/research-fields/information/quantum-technology/tommaso-calarco] https://qt.eu/ [https://qt.eu/] About Anders Indset Anders Indset is the world’s leading business philosophers and the author of seven international bestsellers. With recent works such as Ex Machina – The God Experiment and The Singularity Paradox: Bridging the Gap Between Humanity and AI, his thought leadership has expanded far beyond economics and classical philosophy – earning him recognition from leading scientists and technologists, including prominent physicists. As the founder of tomorrowmensch, he invests in breakthrough science and technologies and convenes leading thinkers, investors, and entrepreneurs shaping the future. NEW BOOK The Quantum Economy https://andersindset.com/shop/The-Quantum-Economy-p803754261 [https://andersindset.com/shop/The-Quantum-Economy-p803754261] https://andersindset.com/ [https://andersindset.com/] https://tomorrowmensch.com/ [https://tomorrowmensch.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/andersindset/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andersindset/] https://www.instagram.com/andersindset [https://www.instagram.com/andersindset] http://x.com/andersindset [http://x.com/andersindset]

What Comes After The Internet?

Most of the attention in quantum goes to computing. But there is another layer and it’s already being built. Quantum networking is already being tested on real telecom infrastructure from New York to Deutsche Telekom’s network in Berlin. In this episode of The Quantum Economy Podcast, Anders Indset speaks with Noel Goddard, CEO of Qunnect, about how quantum is being built, tested, and run in real infrastructure. They discuss what quantum networks actually are, how they differ from today’s internet, and why security is emerging as the first practical use case. The conversation also explores the technical challenges of building quantum infrastructure, the realities behind the hype, and what it takes to turn deep-tech research into deployable hardware. Looking ahead, Noel outlines a longer-term vision: connecting quantum computers, sensors, and data centers — and building the foundation for a new layer of the internet. A grounded and forward-looking conversation on quantum, infrastructure, and the future of information systems. About Noel Goddard https://www.linkedin.com/in/noel-goddard-b973225/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/noel-goddard-b973225/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/noel-goddard-b973225/About Anders Indset Anders Indset is the world’s leading business philosophers and the author of seven international bestsellers. With recent works such as Ex Machina – The God Experiment and The Singularity Paradox: Bridging the Gap Between Humanity and AI, his thought leadership has expanded far beyond economics and classical philosophy – earning him recognition from leading scientists and technologists, including prominent physicists. As the founder of tomorrowmensch, he invests in breakthrough science and technologies and convenes leading thinkers, investors, and entrepreneurs shaping the future. NEW BOOK The Quantum Economy https://andersindset.com/shop/The-Quantum-Economy-p803754261 [https://andersindset.com/shop/The-Quantum-Economy-p803754261] https://andersindset.com/ [https://andersindset.com/] https://tomorrowmensch.com/ [https://tomorrowmensch.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andersindset/]andersindset/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andersindset/] https://www.instagram.com/andersindset [https://www.instagram.com/andersindset] http://x.com/andersindset [http://x.com/andersindset]