OQI explores global opportunities and challenges of quantum computing at EuroDIG 2025

22nd May 2025

The European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG) 2025 took place 12-14 May at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, where Tim Smith, Coordinator of the Open Quantum Institute (OQI), participated in a workshop exploring the global challenges and opportunities of quantum computing. 

 

 

During the workshop, important topics were addressed to identify the threats and opportunities posed by the developing technology—exploring the necessary frameworks and steps towards complying with regulatory requirements and security standards to ensure the technology is developed for the benefit of all, not just a few. Joining Tim in the session was Mark Mattingley-Scott (Chief Revenue Officer, Quantum Brilliance) and Elif Kiesow, (Project Lead, IGF DC Internet Standards, Security and Safety (IS3C)), moderated by Wout de Natris-van der Borght, Coordinator, IGF DC Internet Standards, Security and Safety (IS3C)).

 

 

Discussions delved into the global implications of quantum computing, with participants exploring the current capabilities and future projections of its development. Tim emphasised that the second quantum revolution is already well underway—reinforcing the necessity to  learn from the lessons of AI, highlighting that multilateral governance and international collaboration are crucial to ensure that the development of quantum computing is for the benefit of society.

 

 

“It’s not a question of waiting for quantum computing,” explained Tim. “It’s a question of how to be involved in shaping its global governance and exploring its impactful applications for society and our planet.”

 

 

During the workshop, Tim showcased the work of OQI and our role as a novel science diplomacy instrument, offering a neutral platform for international collaboration to ensure that everyone benefits from the technology once it is realised. 

 

He also explored OQI’s capacity building efforts, focusing on underserved geographies—outlining activities such as quantum hackathons, distribution of educational materials and training programmes, and raising awareness with policymakers and diplomats through the Quantum Diplomacy Game.



But with opportunities also comes risks. Tim gave a note of caution: without inclusive quantum computing frameworks in place, there is a risk of the technology being monopolised by only a few. He stressed the importance of its development not being driven solely by strategic or commercial interest–advocating instead for developing governance models aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

 

The discussions from this session build upon those raised during a preceding webinar on 30th April, on the technical foundations and policy implications of quantum technology. During the webinar,  Tim also had the opportunity to showcase examples of our work towards developing SDG-focused use cases to tackle real-world global challenges and highlight our role in providing a neutral platform to accelerate multilateral dialogue—shaping effective quantum computing governance for the benefit of all. Find out more in the webinar recording.

 

 

And explore our pipeline of developing SDG-focused use cases.

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Join the Future of Quantum Computing!

Learn about engagement opportunities

OQI Partners are institutions that benefit from peer recognition for their scientific contributions or impact expertise.

Requirements:

  1. Either have served as OQI’s spearheading partners during its incubation phase or have consistently engaged resources to OQI’s work as OQI members for at least a year
  2. Commit to co-shape the OQI’s unique value propositions for the three years of the pilot throughout the 4A’s​
  3. Are vetted by the OQI Advisory Committee
  4. Abide to OQI’s values and openness principles

OQI Members are institutions that benefit from peer recognition for their scientific contributions or their impact expertise.

Requirements:

  1. Have disclosed their governance structure
  2. Commit to actively contribute on at least one of the 4A’s assiduously for at least one year​
  3. Have appointed at least one expert from their institution as focal point of contact for OQI and contributor to its working groups
  4. Abide to OQI’s values
  5. Have submitted a complete membership form with supporting documentation and are vetted by the OQI Management Team
  6. Qualify for partner level after having demonstrated their commitment for at least one year​

OQI Friends are individuals (such as experts from the private or public sector, countries, citizens) who are committed to open science, inclusivity and all values as set out in OQI’s charter and associate themselves with the OQI.

Friends socialise the OQI to their communities.

Downloadable PDF version of Charter

 

Description:

The Open Quantum Institute (OQI) is a multilateral governance initiative that promotes global and inclusive access to quantum computing and the development of applications for the benefit of humanity. As a novel science diplomacy instrument, it brings together research, diplomacy, private sector and philanthropy stakeholders. OQI is hosted by CERN during its pilot phase (2024-2026).

 

Mission:

Accelerating applications for humanity: Realising the full potential of quantum computing to have the widest possible societal impact by accelerating the development of use cases geared towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and succeeding framework , thanks to the combined forces of researchers, developers and entrepreneurs from academia and private sector as well as the United Nations, and large NGOs
Access for all: Providing global, inclusive and equitable access to a pool of public and private quantum computers and simulators available via the cloud
Advancing capacity building: Developing educational tools to enable everyone around the world to contribute to the development of quantum computing and make the most of the technology
Activating multilateral governance for the SDGs: Providing a neutral forum to help shape multilateral governance of quantum computing for the SDGs

 

Values:

Inclusivity, global scope
  • Enable people from all countries, regardless of whether they have any quantum computing capability of their own, to benefit from and to participate in the development of (i) quantum computing applications that address global challenges, in particular those that are closely related to their own specific challenges, and (ii) the multilateral governance of quantum computing for the SDGs
Openness
  • Share experiences, knowledge, and methods for the benefit of all, following Open Science best practice
  • Make openly available the results – outcomes of joint activities related to the OQI mission conducted by the OQI community – to society via open repositories and/or through the use of open licences
Focus on impact
  • Ensure that applications are developed for their quantum computing potential to tackle real-world problems that will benefit humanity
  • Consider and balance their ethical, legal, and societal implications
Independence
  • Enable everyone to participate free from individual, national, corporate or any other agendas
  • Develop applications with a technology neutral approach.
Collaboration
  • Foster a community of diverse expertise, backgrounds and geographies, enabled by international cooperation and diplomacy

 

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