Exploring global quantum collaboration at Chicago Quantum Summit and qConnect

25th November 2025

Article by Alexia Yiannouli

Photo from Chicago Quantum Summit (left) and qConnect (right)

Earlier this month, Catherine Lefebvre (Applications Lead and Senior Advisor at OQI) attended a series of quantum events across North America.

In Chicago, one of the US’s main quantum hubs, she had the opportunity to present OQI at the Chicago Quantum Summit. Held 3-4 November, the 8th annual Summit brought together global leaders from across industry, government and academia to foster dialogue around shaping the future of quantum technology, showcasing breakthrough research and exploring workforce development efforts. 

During her talk, she showcased our four main activities – from developing quantum computing use cases to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to our global capacity building activities, such as hackathons, Quantum Diplomacy Games and regional events taking place worldwide, as well as to our global governance and quantum diplomacy activities. All these core activities are possible thanks to the global collaboration of OQI partners, members and friends, many of whom also attended the Summit.

Following the Summit, Catherine attended qConnect 2025, hosted in Calgary 5-6 November, an industry event gathering businesses, startups, government and investors to foster quantum collaboration. During qConnect, Catherine participated on a panel exploring the theme of international collaboration and export control in quantum computing.

Panellists included Kathrin Spendier (Technical Prize Director, Quantum Applications, XPRIZE) and Tina Dekker (Intellectual Property Lawyer, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)), with moderation by Mercedes Gilroy (Executive Producer, Coin Edge Consulting). During discussions, Catherine brought forward the perspective of OQI on international collaboration, stressing the importance of incorporating multidisciplinarity in the collaborative approach and the global governance of quantum computing. 

Catherine exposed our approach to ensuring that the technology is developed inclusively and accessibly, in an effort to mitigate the digital divide. She also stressed the importance of multilateral collaboration, outlining the necessity of anticipation and science diplomacy for impactful multilateral collaboration. 

Fellow panellists provided key insights into initiatives such as the XPRIZE Quantum Applications Competition — a bottom-up approach that contributes to accelerating research in quantum algorithms. Discussions also centered around regulation measures in quantum computing and examined how they can contribute support for global innovation and collaboration. 

Through attending this series of quantum events across North America, at OQI we reaffirm our mission towards ensuring that quantum computing is developed equitably, for the benefit of humanity.