Objective
QPIC-AI is a joint EU–Republic of Korea research initiative that aims to develop AI-enhanced photonic quantum nodes for secure communications. The project addresses two critical barriers to the widespread deployment of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) environmental drift and reliance on manual calibration. By embedding lightweight artificial intelligence models into Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC)-based QKD systems, deployable on FPGA platforms, QPIC-AI will enable autonomous, self-calibrating quantum modules capable of maintaining stability in real-world conditions.
The project will co-design thin-film LiNbO₃ transmitter and receiver PICs with integrated dynamic polarization control, implement FPGA-based BB84 QKD prototypes, and deploy embedded AI for predictive drift compensation and closed-loop control. The resulting systems will be validated across operational testbeds in Europe and South Korea, demonstrating stable key exchange, reduced downtime, and improved error performance. In parallel the consortium will contribute to international standards bodies (ETSI, ITU-T, ISO/IEC, CEN-CENELEC) and deliver a joint EU–ROK Certification Gap Report, supporting convergence of certification frameworks.
Expected outcomes include a ≥30% reduction in system downtime, QBER variance maintained below 3% compared to manual calibration baselines, and contributions adopted in international standards. The project will raise the technology readiness level of AI-assisted QKD from TRL 2–3 to TRL 4–5, providing open reference designs, benchmark datasets, and field validation results. QPIC-AI brings together a well-balanced consortium of leading research institutes (NCSRD, AIT, ETRI) and industry (SKTelecom, SG) combining excellence in photonics, quantum communication, and AI for impactful results. QPIC-AI strengthens EU–ROK cooperation through shared testbeds, researcher exchanges, and joint workshops, advancing a sustainable transnational ecosystem for quantum-secure communications.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence
- natural sciences computer and information sciences computer security cryptography
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology ecosystems
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.4 - Digital, Industry and Space
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.2.4.2 - Key Digital Technologies
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL4-2025-03
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
153 41 AGIA PARASKEVI
Greece
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.