Quantum Meets 2024 Plenary PART 3E INSIGHTS
THE GLOBAL STRUCTURE OF QUANTUM
“Quantum For International Organisations: Supporting the global quantum ecosystem” was the penultimate session for the Plenary Day with a focus on changes to economies and society, new structures for transmitting and communicating data, and much more. Prominent speakers included:
Elizabeth Thomas-Raynaud- OECD
Arinuma Sarkar- World Economic Forum
The OECD championed by Elizabeth Thomas-Raynaud highlighted the – “Strategic pillars” for Quantum’s flagship goals centred around COMPUTING + SIMULATION + SENSING + COMMUNICATION.
Thomas-Raynaud indicated her desire for the quantum ecosystem to navigate quantum technology policy challenges and opportunities responsibly, underpinned by the OECD mantra “better policies for better lives.”
In particular she emphasized the need for comprehensive international standards for quantum to guide policy makers adequately, and the development of a global forum for the technology where multi stakeholder dialogues could take place in order to put in place strategies to mitigate risks from the impact of any new, immersive technologies.
A direct focal point highlighted included further examination of sustainability, impact and resilience of society to quantum technology, and geopolitical fragmentation.
Whereby digital, security and privacy concerns are at their highest points, dual use concerns and the risk to quantum-centric values would also need to be taken into consideration. A focus group approach as identified that could adequately “build policy intelligence” would assist with the implementation of the organisation’s desire to embrace Quantum technology holistically through sensing, computing and communication, thus bringing together technology and policy experts under one roof.
Such a structure would facilitate the provision of clear insights and advice to OECD member countries whilst identifying policy issues. Stakeholders, government, academia and industry Thomas-Raynaud further declared would adopt a hybrid approach to quantum, where clear standards for measurements of the quantum phenomena were put into practice.
An effective international cooperation body would be, human centric, and reflect that societies we want whilst taking on board evidence-based government policies.
Arinuma Sarkar, the Thematic Lead for Quantum Technology, Centre for Fourth industrial Revolution, at the World Economic Forum declared the organisation’s efforts “in shaping the responsible development of Quantum Technologies and preparing for the transition to the Quantum economy.”
Sarkar highlighted the importance of establishing a framework for the “Quantum Economy Network” that would focus on applications, cybersecurity, Government and underlying policy. Sarkar embraced quantum as being a mechanism to inspire new business models, highlighting the need to develop a “Quantum Economy Blueprint.”
With the UK National Quantum Office launched in DAVOS during January 2024 and other European entities established to roll out the core values of quantum including but not limited to access and sustainability, the “QUANTUM OF SOCIETAL GOALS” initiative is born.
Whitepapers, reports and a Quantum readiness toolkit were earmarked as a governing basis for the technology moving forward.
Lisa Lambert of Toronto based Quantum Industry Canada, one of the leading voices of the final Plenary day session “The International Council of Quantum Industry Associations (ICQIA): shaping the global quantum sector,” elaborated on how Mike Lazaridis, co-founder of Blackberry has already teamed up with his former co-Founder Doug Fregin since 2013 to conceive Quantum Valley Investments.
Canada defines itself as an early quantum pioneer where emphasis is placed on the technology’s ability to “Support—Build—-Promote—and Inform.” Canada like its European counterparts is making inroads into the ecosystem by supporting founders who wish to start and grow Quantum-enabled enterprises. Lambert proudly announced that Canada enjoys the second highest number of quantum SMEs globally.