Beyond AI: Anders Indset’s Vision of the “Quantum Economy”

Autor: Baybora Veröffentlicht am: Juli 25, 2025 Veröffentlicht in: Blog

Artificial intelligence (AI) – especially the rise of generative AI (GenAI) – has reshaped our world in recent years. Yet some thinkers believe an even bigger revolution is on the horizon. One of them is Anders Indset, a Norwegian-born business philosopher and futurist, who argues that the next great transformation is the emergence of what he calls the “Quantum Economy.” In his 2019 book The Quantum Economy (Quantenwirtschaft), Indset introduced this concept as a new vision for the future of capitalism beyond the current digital era[1]. He boldly proclaims that “The Old Economy is dead. So is the New Economy. … What follows is the Q Economy – the Quantum Economy.”[2] This Quantum Economy, according to Indset, represents a paradigm shift that goes beyond AI and the internet – blending breakthrough technologies (like quantum computing) with a more humane, sustainable approach to how we live and do business.

From the Old and New to the “Quantum” Economy

Indset’s idea of a Quantum Economy arises from a critique of our current path. The “Old Economy” of the 20th century industrial age is long gone, and even the “New Economy” of the digital tech boom is reaching its limits[2]. “The Silicon Valley dream of endless growth for everyone can never and will never happen,”Indset warns[2]. In his view, we need to rethink capitalism itself for a post-digital age. The Quantum Economy is his proposal for this next stage – not literally an economy run on quantum physics, but a new mindset and system inspired by it.

In simple terms, the Quantum Economy means embracing complexity and change instead of clinging to rigid, linear models. Indset often draws an analogy from quantum physics: unlike the predictable, either-or logic of classical systems, quantum systems can exist in multiple states at once. Likewise, our future economy must move beyond “either-or” binary thinking to “both-and” solutions[3]. In the Quantum Economy, old finite frameworks (winner vs. loser, endless expansion vs. collapse) give way to more dynamic, “infinite” games of collaboration and adaptability[4][5]. As Indset puts it, “In the new quantum paradigm, it is no longer about either-or, but about both-and. It is not about winning or losing, but about playing as long as we can.”[3]

At its core, the Quantum Economy is about “humane capitalism” – a capitalism refocused on human and ecological wellbeing. Indset believes our current capitalist model is “obviously a finite model” if it fails to include the human (“Mensch”) and the planet in its equation[6][7]. He argues for an “infinite” approach to business and economics that prioritizes long-term human growth over short-term profits[8][4]. In practice, this means rethinking how we use resources and how we define progress. For example, Indset advocates that in a Quantum Economy we will:

Reduce and reuse more: shifting from hyper-consumption to circular and regenerative economic models (repair, recycle, and repurpose)[9]. Sustainability isn’t just a slogan here – it becomes a business imperative as companies must be efficient with resources to thrive in the long run[10][11].
Rethink education and institutions: radically updating how we educate future generations and govern society. Indset calls for “new global institutions” and a redefined education system to prepare people for a fast-changing, tech-driven world[9]. He emphasizes moving “from a knowledge society to a society of understanding,” where human judgment and ethics guide technological progress[12].
Bridge the human-technology gap: finding ways to close the divide between tech elites and the broader population[9]. Indset’s Quantum Economy is “built on the belief that we don’t solve problems, we work and strive for better problems.”[13] In other words, continuous improvement and “positive progress” for humanity are the goals – ensuring advances in AI, quantum computing, and other tech serve all people, not just a few[13][14].
Inject compassion into capitalism: echoing the Dalai Lama’s insight that “Capitalism is a working model, but it needs compassion,” Indset stresses the need for empathy and human values in economic decisions[10][12]. The Quantum Economy envisions growth not just as financial gain, but as human growth – improvements in quality of life, understanding, and solving meaningful problems.

In essence, the Quantum Economy is a call to upgrade our economic “operating system”. It’s about leveraging exponential technologies while also reinventing the rules by which those technologies impact society. Indset sees this as a pivotal choice for humanity: “Technology will save mankind, but who is going to save the Mensch (the human being)?”[15] We must proactively design our future economy – an “infinite” game that harnesses tech for good – rather than let outdated models lead us to a dead end.

Quantum Agent of the Future connecting to a Quantum Computer

AI and GenAI as Catalysts for a Quantum Leap

If the Quantum Economy is the next revolution, today’s AI boom is one of the forces propelling us toward it. The astonishing advances in AI and especially Generative AI (such as GPT-4, DALL-E, and other large language models) have not only transformed industries but also highlighted the limits of classical computing. Indset notes that while the world is busy debating AI’s risks and ethics, “an even more far-reaching revolution is quietly taking shape: the explosive union of quantum computing and next-generation, large-scale AI models.” Think of it as “AI on steroids”, sometimes dubbed the dawn of “Quantized Intelligence.”[16] In other words, the convergence of AI and quantum computing could amplify innovation in ways that make today’s AI breakthroughs look modest.

Quantum Tech Meets Intelligence: IBM’s Quantum System One (shown above) is an example of cutting-edge quantum computing hardware that could fuel Indset’s envisioned Quantum Economy. Quantum computers use qubits that can represent multiple states simultaneously, enabling computations far beyond the reach of classical binary computers. Indset suggests that pairing such quantum technology with advanced AI will spur a new era of problem-solving power and economic possibilities[17]. Major companies – from IBM and Google to Amazon and Microsoft – are racing to develop quantum systems, software and applications, a race that is “accelerating by the day.”[18]

One reason AI and quantum belong together is that each can greatly enhance the other. Today’s most powerful AI models (like OpenAI’s GPT series or Google’s upcoming Gemini) still run on traditional computer chips. They excel at pattern recognition and generating content, but they operate within the constraints of classical computing. Quantum computing promises to lift some of those constraints. By integrating quantum algorithms, future AI might explore countless possibilities in parallel instead of plodding through one calculation at a time. As Indset writes, a quantum-enhanced AI could generate “simultaneous probability distributions across millions of potential solutions” rather than following a strictly linear logic – a bit like tapping into supercharged intuition[19]. This could help AI systems crack problems that were previously unsolvable or solve in seconds tasks that would take classical computers eons[17].

Conversely, AI is helping accelerate progress in quantum research. AI and machine learning techniques are used to optimize quantum hardware, correct errors in quantum bits, and even discover new quantum algorithms[17]. In short, AI is both driving demand for quantum computing (by pushing against the limits of current computers) and offering tools to advance it. This symbiosis is laying the groundwork for the Quantum Economy. Indset emphasizes that the marriage of quantum tech and AI could “solve some of the largest bottlenecks we currently face,” from more secure communication to entirely new kinds of economic engines and business models[17].

The implication is that as AI gets more powerful, we will inevitably turn to quantum technologies to continue that momentum – ushering in a new economic era. Just as steam power and electricity once rewired the economy, and more recently the internet did, the fusion of AI with quantum computing could transform everything from drug discovery and materials science to finance and logistics. It’s a “quantum leap” not just metaphorically, but literally powered by quantum mechanics.

What the Quantum Economy Means for Everyone

What would it feel like to live in a world shaped by the Quantum Economy? Indset paints a picture of profound technological and social change. On one hand, we might enjoy astonishing new capabilities: medicines tailored by AI-quantum simulations, climate fixes devised by superintelligent systems, abundant clean energy as tech drives its cost toward zero[20]. Problems that once seemed unsolvable could be tackled by quantum-enhanced AI “creative leaps”, which might even anticipate issues before we humans notice them[21][22]. The economy could be boosted by new industries and “quantum services” that we can barely imagine today – much like the internet economy of the 2000s was unimaginable a few decades prior.

On the other hand, this revolution comes with human questions. If machines (guided by quantum computing and AI) start solving problems faster and better than we can, what is left for us to do? Indset and others have warned of the risk of “Homo obsoletus” – the scenario where humans become essentially obsolete[23]. As Stephen Hawking cautioned, sufficiently advanced AI could one day render humans irrelevant[24]. The Quantum Economy forces us to confront this possibility. Indset’s philosophy, however, is not to succumb to fear but to proactively redefine human purpose in the new era. He suggests that rather than competing with intelligent machines, we should co-evolve with them – focusing on uniquely human qualities and ensuring technology is aligned with human values[13][12].

Practically, this means education and adaptability will be more important than ever. In a quantum economy, rote knowledge may matter less than creativity, critical thinking, and ethical judgment – things machines can’t easily replicate. Indset advocates for cultivating a “society of understanding” where people are taught to navigate ambiguity and continuous change[12]. Lifelong learning would likely become the norm, as the half-life of technical skills shortens and quantum-era jobs demand hybrid skills (part technical, part humanistic). We may also see new forms of organization at work: flatter hierarchies or decentralized “quantum organizations” that leverage technology without rigid top-down structures[25].

Another key implication of Indset’s Quantum Economy is a shift in values around growth and success. Sustainability and long-term resilience take center stage, replacing the 20th-century obsession with short-term GDP growth. Businesses might be measured not only by profit, but by their contributions to societal “progress” – for example, how they help improve problems like climate change or inequality. Indset talks about striving for “better problems”[13]: instead of thinking we’ll solve everything and be done, we continually raise our aspirations to the next hard challenge. This mindset could foster more innovation (since there is always a next problem to tackle) but also more humility, acknowledging that no solution is permanent in a complex, evolving world.

Crucially, the Quantum Economy is not just about technology – it’s about people. Indset emphasizes the need to carry everyone along in this revolution, not just tech giants or early adopters. He calls for bridging the gap between the “technocratic elite and the working class,” ensuring that the benefits of AI and quantum breakthroughs are widely shared[9]. This might involve new policies, economic models (like universal basic income or novel wealth distribution mechanisms), and global cooperation to manage powerful technologies responsibly. Indset’s formation of initiatives like the Quantum Economy Alliance – aimed at “quantum literacy” and bringing philosophers, scientists, and business leaders together – underlines the importance of a broad societal conversation. The choices we make now in regulating AI, investing in education, and prioritizing certain innovations will shape whether the coming quantum era exacerbates divides or improves human welfare.

Conclusion: Embracing the Quantum Revolution with Humanity in Mind

Anders Indset’s vision of the Quantum Economy challenges us to think big. It is a call to recognize that the post-AI revolution is approaching, and we must be ready to shape it. This next revolution is not only about deploying quantum computers or smarter AI; it’s about rethinking the very foundations of our economy and society in light of these technologies. Indset urges leaders and citizens alike to approach the future with “scientific optimism” and courage[10][13]. He considers himself a “positivist by choice” – choosing optimism and hard work over doom-and-gloom[13]. That optimistic ethos is at the heart of the Quantum Economy: the belief that, if we infuse our economic system with humanistic values and harness our best tools, we can continuously improve the human condition.

The transition to a Quantum Economy won’t happen overnight. But it’s already underway in pieces – from cutting-edge quantum research labs to forward-thinking companies adopting AI for good. Indset notes that what was theory just a few years ago is rapidly becoming reality[26]. We stand at a pivotal point where we can choose to adapt and guide these changes, or risk being overtaken by them. His message is ultimately one of empowerment: we have the ability to “upgrade” our societal OS (operating system) and ensure that technology serves humanity, not the other way around[15][27].

In an age when AI writes poetry and quantum devices solve equations that stumped us, Indset’s Quantum Economy reminds us that the true measure of progress is human benefit. By anticipating the next revolution now – and infusing it with wisdom, compassion, and foresight – we can hopefully unlock the full potential of both machines and people. The Quantum Economy, in Indset’s words, is “humane capitalism” where tech-driven innovation and human growth go hand in hand[28]. It’s a future where we don’t just seek to solve today’s problems, but constantly strive for better ones – ensuring that the pursuit of knowledge and improvement never ends.

LinkedIn Teaser (Preview): “The Old Economy is dead. So is the New Economy… What follows is the Q Economy – the Quantum Economy.” – Anders Indset[2]. After the AI and GenAI wave, futurist Anders Indset argues the next big revolution will come from quantum technology and a new human-centric approach to business. Curious about what the “Quantum Economy” means for our future? Read the full blog to find out how quantum tech + human ingenuity could redefine the game.

Sources:

Anders Indset – The Quantum Economy: Saving the Mensch with Humanistic Capitalism (Book description)[2][3][15]
Anders Indset on LinkedIn – “What is the Quantum Economy?” (talk transcript, 2023)[6][4][13][27]
Anders Indset, BuiltIn – “How Quantum Computing and Advanced AI Are Redefining the Boundaries of Human Thought” (2025)[16][17][19][24]
Anders Indset – Wikipedia (background on Quantum Economy concept)[1]