On Science, Courage, and the Responsibility to Explore the UnknownOn 16th October, ESET Science Talks welcomed Nobel Prize-winning physicist Professor Serge Haroche to the Old Market Hall in Bratislava. The evening explored science, the power of knowledge and the questions raised by rapid technological progress. In conversation with Daniel Stach, host of the Czech TV program Hyde Park Civilization, Professor Haroche introduced us to the fascinating world of quantum physics - a field that explores the fundamental laws governing nature at the level of atoms and elementary particles. Our understanding of this microscopic world, where reality behaves very differently from our everyday experience, now forms the foundation of many of tomorrow's technologies, from quantum computers to secure quantum communication.

The discussion, however, extended far beyond physics. It explored questions that concern us all: How do scientific discoveries shape the world we live in? What role does knowledge play in building trust, security, and resilient societies? And in an era of breakthrough technologies, how can we preserve not only the courage to explore the unknown but also the wisdom to decide how new knowledge should be used? Professor Haroche also reflected on the role of science in society, the responsibility that comes with pushing the boundaries of knowledge, and why critical thinking is more important than ever in a time of rapid technological change, geopolitical uncertainty, and profound societal transformation.