UNESCO, Paris, Quantum ...

Why it's important for the international community to discuss deeptech

Feb 12, 2025

Last week I participated in the opening ceremony of United Nations’ International Year of Quantum. 2025 recognizes 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics, and the members of the United Nations have selected to celebrate this important emerging technology throughout the year.

The two day event featured scientists, government officials, companies, and three (!) Nobel laureates, Professors Anne L’Huillier 2023 Nobel Laureate in Physics, William D. Phillips, 1997 Nobel Laureate in Physics, and Alain Aspect 2022 Nobel Laureate in Physics. Oh yeah!

Why is this important?

Like many other deeptech fields, quantum technologies can be used for the good of the humankind, but they can also be used to exploit, break, and damage. It is important for the international community to come together and discuss the roles of these technologies beforehand, and not after the matter. We’ve all seen enough James Bond movies to know what happens if an evil criminal gets their hands on a weaponized technology.

Additionally, we want to develop these technologies so that they are created by and for a diverse audience. It does not happen organically, so organizations like UNESCO are needed to help.

Follow the different events, news and blogs in social media with hashtags #IYQ2025 #QuantumCurious #QuantumFuture #QuantumYear #STEMEducation

Here is our merry after party with the cool kids in a nearby bistro, photo via Juliette de la Rie, Colorful Matter. Thank you Juliette, and everyone who participated in the fun.

Upcoming events

I will be delivering a keynote at the IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Control, Computing and Communications (IC3). This conference serves as a platform for researchers, scholars, and industry professionals to exchange ideas, share insights, and discuss the latest advancements in these rapidly evolving fields.

Scheduled to take place in Feb 2025 at GL BAJAJ Group of Institutions, Mathura, I will speak (remotely) on the topic of ‘The role of Government in Advancing Quantum Technologies’.