Quantum Software ante portas: How to prepare for a new computing paradigm?

This article provides an overview of the current state and future challenges of quantum software engineering as quantum computing transitions from proof-of-concept to potential industrial adoption. While significant progress has been made in quantum hardware and cloud-based execution platforms, the article argues that innovation will depend critically on advances in software tools, programming abstractions, and engineering methodologies. Focusing on the constraints of the Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) era, it examines challenges related to hardware heterogeneity, software portability, hybrid classical–quantum architectures, and the lack of mature development environments. The article also highlights the urgent need for a new generation of quantum software engineers and coherent educational programmes, particularly in Europe, to bridge skills gaps and support the long-term evolution toward fault-tolerant quantum computing.