Let’s introduce Fabienne Marco to our audience! Who are you? If you had to describe yourself in 1 sentence, what would you say?

Quantum enthusiast with a passion for politics, and a hopeless idealist dedicated wholeheartedly to the Quantum Social Lab - where science meets society, and curiosity meets creativity.

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What are the most

A- Fascinating research

B- Impactful research

C- Fun and whimsical research

You are leading these days?

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Fascinating research: Exploring innovative approaches to integrating diverse theoretical and mathematical frameworks into quantum-powered neural networks is both intellectually challenging and incredibly exciting. My research focuses on synthesizing abstract mathematical concepts, systems theory, and information theory into cohesive quantum-enabled models, with particular emphasis on emerging fields such as Quantum Natural Language Processing (QNLP). A key aspect of this endeavor is enhancing interpretability, allowing clearer insights into the complex inner workings of quantum neural architectures. Ultimately, my aim is to contribute to the development of a new family of quantum algorithms, condensing these sophisticated paradigms into a unified, interpretable framework.

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Impactful research: Exploring innovation cycles that authentically engage the Global South, bridge disciplinary divides, and advance the responsible development of emerging technologies stands among today’s most crucial research endeavors. As technological transformations continue to reshape our world at unprecedented speed, we find ourselves within a delicate geopolitical moment—one where technology holds the dual potential to either deepen global divisions or become a profound catalyst for unity and progress. I am convinced that technology can be both a hero and a villain, depending on how we choose to shape and engage with it. If approached thoughtfully and ethically, it holds the power to make the world a better, more inclusive place. In response, our research must explicitly embrace ethical responsibility, guiding innovation toward bridging societal divides and healing the persistent digital gap rather than widening it.

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Fun and whimsical research:

Can art teach quantum? We had to find out.

Right now, one of the most exciting parts of my research explores how artistic interventions can change the way people engage with quantum technologies. We’re experimenting with playful ideas - like using "superpowers" as metaphors for quantum concepts - to see if creativity can lower the barriers to understanding. In January, we took this exploration live by hosting an event that brought together musicians, stand-up comedians, and artists of all kinds. The result was a wild, inspiring mix that showed just how powerful the intersection of art and science can be for sparking curiosity and reshaping public perception of emerging technologies.

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You head the Quantum Social Lab. What’s the mission behind it?

The Quantum Social Lab’s mission is to anticipate and address the ethical, legal, social, and policy implications of the emerging quantum world.

While quantum technologies and their applications are still in an early phase of development, their expected and probable influence on various economic sectors and society as a whole is tremendous. Looking specifically at the rise of generative AI, we have already seen that regulating and shaping new technologies is a complex endeavor - and should be, given the profound potential impacts of quantum technologies on the digital divide, financial markets, and cybersecurity. It is crucial that we begin now to shape the development of quantum technologies in a responsible, proactive manner. To leverage the positive potential of quantum innovation while mitigating its risks, the Quantum Social Lab is working to develop frameworks that guide the development process from the outset—making it both participatory and ethically grounded.

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Quantum and… art? Your students are connecting worlds that rarely meet. Why does this multidisciplinary approach matter right now?

Technology is endlessly fascinating, profoundly shaping the ways we think, perceive, and interact with the world. Yet for me personally, art has always offered a necessary pause - a space for new insights, fresh perspectives, and unexpected reflections. Through artistic experiences, I often find myself engaging with topics I might otherwise have overlooked or dismissed.

Recently in Porto, I attended an exhibition that powerfully illustrated how children's games evolve within war zones, vividly portraying how young minds cope with adversity through play. It was a deeply moving experience and one of the most thoughtful interpretations of game theory I have ever encountered.

Art, therefore, acts as a powerful lens - opening new impressions and inviting novel trains of thought. This interplay between creativity and discovery continually informs my daily work, where I am fortunate to engage with one of the most remarkable technological frontiers of our time. Among the many student projects I have overseen, perhaps the most striking has been Medical Wonderland, an immersive blacklight installation that showcases recent breakthroughs in MRI technology. Through these vibrant intersections of art and science, we continue to discover new ways of understanding not only technology - but ourselves.

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AI… AI… AI… How has your use of it evolved over the years in your field of computer science?

Foremost, my definition of AI has evolved. Initially, I viewed AI strictly through the academic lens - as machine learning models and algorithmic tools, never conscious, simply methods to test hypotheses against pre-collected data. Today, however, AI has become more of a sparring partner: a companion when coding, a sounding board for exploring new ideas. Interestingly, I find myself gaining as much from the arguments AI doesn't propose as from the ones it does.

While AI has undoubtedly made certain aspects of research easier—refining language, accelerating drafting processes - it also carries a profound risk. By making writing and structuring tasks effortless, it can subtly lead to less critical thinking, particularly when AI-generated content is used uncritically to produce entire research articles and methods. In this tension lies both the potential and the peril of its deeper integration into academic life.

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If you could design an experiment without any limitations of time or money…what would it be?

If I could dream big, I would design a vast, magical labyrinth - an immersive, technology-driven environment where decision-making comes to life. Moving LED walls and interactive simulations would allow participants to step into historical and political crossroads, making real-time choices and immediately experiencing their consequences. The goal would be to reframe decision-making: to see whether, when faced with the weight and complexity of the moment, the same choices would be made again. By weaving together as many scenarios and perspectives as possible, this living labyrinth would become a dynamic arena for exploring how perception, emotion, and shifting contexts shape human judgment. It would be a place where history, technology, and imagination meet to inspire new ways of thinking about leadership, responsibility, and collective futures.

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If you could have a superhero power. What would it be?

Spacetime Sculpting

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Mystery dinner party…Dead or Alive, who would be 3 guests you would invite to your dinner party?

Stephen Hawking, Taylor Swift and Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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Question from our previous guest, Dr. Dante Lauretta : “As we advance toward the possibility of creating conscious experiences through highly advanced computers or artificial intelligence, what do you believe are our moral obligations in this endeavor? And, if we succeed in creating artificial consciousness, what might that reveal about the nature of our own consciousness and the human experience?"

As we edge closer to the possibility of creating conscious experiences through highly advanced AI, our moral obligations must be grounded in profound humanity and humility. Before reaching this critical point, we must be fully aware of the consequences - particularly in decision-making, in steering vital processes, and in influencing critical sectors such as health, finance, and the judiciary.

Moreover, the creation of artificial consciousness could become a mirror, forcing us to confront unresolved questions about our own minds: What does it truly mean to experience? To suffer? To desire? It might reveal that consciousness is not a static "thing" but a dynamic process - one more deeply entangled with context, embodiment, and interaction than we have previously understood. We might also come to realize that we, as human beings, are perhaps not as conscious as we have always believed.

In striving to create new forms of mind, we are inevitably exploring—and perhaps reshaping - the nature of our own. The greatest risk is not only technological but philosophical: that we create without understanding, and in doing so, lose sight of the profound responsibility such creation demands. It may be that, overwhelmed by the complexity of the world we have already built, we shift crucial decisions to machines - with outcomes we may neither foresee nor fully control.