The Open Quantum Institute (OQI) has launched its operational phase at CERN, following a successful incubation period led by the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA). The three-year pilot aims to harness the power of quantum computing for societal benefit. The OQI, a multilateral science diplomacy initiative, will work on projects related to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), exploring applications of quantum computing in health, energy, climate action, clean water, and food security. The initiative is supported by the Union de Banques Suisses (UBS) and will be hosted at CERN from 2024 to 2026.
Launch of Open Quantum Institute’s Pilot Phase at CERN
The Open Quantum Institute (OQI) has announced the commencement of its operational launch at CERN. This follows a successful one-year incubation period led by the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA). The new three-year pilot, based at CERN, aims to further the progress made so far in the field of quantum computing.
The OQI was proposed, designed, and incubated through GESDA, in collaboration with approximately 180 experts worldwide. It is a multilateral science diplomacy initiative that brings together academia, technology companies, the private sector, the diplomatic community, philanthropy organizations, and global citizens. The goal is to promote more open and inclusive quantum computing. The OQI aims to facilitate equal access to emerging technologies, accelerate the potential of quantum computing for all society, and support the development of concrete quantum solutions aimed at achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
OQI’s Role in CERN’s Quantum Technology Initiative
During its pilot phase, the OQI will be hosted at CERN and supported by the Union de Banques Suisses (UBS). It will be part of CERN’s wider Quantum Technology Initiative (QTI), launched in 2020 and managed by the IT department. The QTI’s mission is to explore the full potential of quantum technologies and to maximize their societal impact. The OQI will work within this framework to push the boundaries of geography and disciplines to ensure that quantum computing is harnessed to tackle key global challenges.
CERN Director-General, Fabiola Gianotti, expressed optimism about the initiative, stating that CERN provides ideal conditions for the development of the OQI. She hopes that the initiative will not only be successful but also serve as a model of what scientific diplomacy can do to promote concrete projects of benefit to humanity.
Focus on SDG-Related Use Cases
The OQI will focus on selecting SDG-related use cases to explore applications of quantum computing in fields like health, energy, climate action, clean water, and food security. Potential projects include improving the sustainability of global food systems through quantum computing optimization, finding quantum machine learning solutions to improve medical imaging accuracy and early diagnosis of diseases, and using quantum computing simulation to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Enrica Porcari, Head of CERN’s IT department, emphasized the importance of the UN’s SDGs, stating that they represent the international community’s collective view of the greatest societal challenges today. She expressed pride in hosting the OQI at CERN and providing a platform for innovation, fostering real-world applications of quantum computing to address the SDGs.
Future Plans and Participation Opportunities
CERN will host the OQI from 2024 to 2026 and support three or four projects targeting SDG-related use cases. This will also lay the foundation for the next phase of the program and potentially become a reference point for other initiatives aimed at deploying quantum technologies to address societal challenges. GESDA will remain the science diplomacy advisor and fundraiser, helping to ensure the continuity of the initiative and contributing to its diplomatic engagement, while UBS will act as the lead support partner, ensuring further growth of the institute.
Organizations and individuals committed to human-centered, inclusive, and responsible quantum computing are invited to participate in the OQI. They can do so by submitting use cases for SDGs, developing educational tools, curating the diplomatic dialogue on quantum computing, and more. For full details on how to get involved, interested parties are encouraged to visit the OQI website and follow OQI on LinkedIn and X.
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