Insider Brief:
- The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will launch Quantum for Good this July as a new track at the AI for Good Global Summit, designed to align quantum innovation with global development priorities.
- The initiative focuses on equity, access, and impact, working to scale real-world quantum use cases and build inclusive standards, education pipelines, and international partnerships.
- Speakers from IBM, Algorithmiq, QuIC, and the UN will lead sessions on industry innovation, diplomacy, ethics, and standards, framing quantum’s role in shaping inclusive global futures.
- Quantum for Good marks the beginning of a long-term global effort, and ITU invites stakeholders across sectors to participate, collaborate, and help ensure quantum benefits all.
This July, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will launch Quantum for Good, a global initiative dedicated to ensuring that quantum technologies deliver real-world, inclusive, and sustainable impact. Set to debut as a dedicated track within the AI for Good Global Summit, Quantum for Good is designed to unite quantum innovation with global development goals.
The launch comes as part of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology and represents a turning point in the international quantum conversation: moving from promise to coordination, from experimentation to inclusive strategy.
Aligning Quantum Progress with Global Equity
While quantum technologies have the potential to create impact across various fields, from material science and drug discovery to energy optimization and post-quantum cybersecurity, Quantum for Good asks a deeper question: Who benefits from the quantum era, and how do we ensure no one is left behind?
Led by ITU in collaboration with partners across the United Nations system and global industry, Quantum for Good is working to:
- Identify and scale quantum use cases for climate, healthcare, cybersecurity, and digital inclusion
- Promote the development of inclusive global standards for responsible quantum innovation
- Build bridges across industries, geographies, and policy frameworks
- Strengthen global capacity through education, workforce development, and open access
Featured Sessions From Technical Leadership to Global Governance
The Quantum for Good track at the AI for Good Global Summit features a programming throughout the week, reflecting the initiative’s expansive scope, covering everything from research to global diplomacy and standards development.
Featured participants include:
- Thierry Botter, Executive Director, European Quantum Industry Consortium (QuIC)
- Sabrina Maniscalco, CEO and co-founder, Algorithmiq Ltd.
- Anne Dames, Distinguished Engineer, IBM
- Ali Taha Koç, CEO, Turkcell
- Najwa Aaraj, CEO, Technology Innovation Institute (TII)
- Sameer Chauhan, Director, United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC)
- Catherine Lefebvre, Senior Advisor for Open Quantum Institute (OQI), Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA)
- Justine Lacey, Director, Responsible Innovation, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
- Diederick Croese, Director, Centre for Quantum & Society, Quantum Delta
- Lisa Lambert, CEO, Quantum Industry Canada
Quantum for Good will feature thematic sessions addressing key challenges and opportunities at the intersection of quantum, society, and global development.
Featured sessions include:
- “Quantum for Good: Industry Leadership, Innovation, and Real-World Impact,” will explore how quantum developments can be translated into practical, scalable solutions that serve the global public good. Speakers will include industry executives, researchers, and policymakers representing global quantum initiatives across North America, Europe, Asia, and the MENA region.
- “Quantum Technology and Diplomacy: Why Should We Care?”
With speakers from Algorithmiq, the Moroccan UN Mission, and GESDA, this session explores how international cooperation can shape equitable quantum futures.
- “Quantum for All: Innovation, Access & Impact”
A panel on global access, inclusive development, and responsible quantum innovation, with voices from GESDA, TU Delft, CSIRO, and Quantum Delta Netherlands.
- “Future Standards for Frontier Tech: Quantum”
In a closing fireside chat, the Quantum Insider, along with leaders from Pasqal and Jinan Institute of Quantum Technology will discuss the timelines and trade-offs of global quantum standardization.
Together, these sessions curate a comprehensive and collaborative vision for how quantum technologies can be aligned with the priorities of governments, institutions, and societies around the world.
Seizing the Moment: A Call for Proactive Quantum Leadership
While AI has rapidly become embedded in global infrastructure, quantum technology remains largely confined to advanced research institutions and specialized labs. Without proactive coordination, experts warn quantum could deepen global disparities in both access and understanding, repeating patterns seen in earlier technological revolutions.
As Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General of the ITU, emphasized: “We have barely scratched the surface of what quantum technologies can do. These technologies can help fix the world’s biggest problems, from connectivity gaps to poverty and inequality to the climate crisis. However, this massive potential also comes with risks that we, at ITU, are already working to mitigate and address.”
Quantum for Good is not a one-off announcement but the foundation of a sustained global effort—an ecosystem designed to ensure quantum technologies are aligned with shared human priorities. ITU invites governments, academic institutions, nonprofits, startups, investors, and multilateral organizations to get involved now, helping shape a future where quantum benefits all.
To learn more or express interest in participating or sponsoring the Quantum for Good initiative, contact the ITU team at [email protected].
About ITU and AI for Good
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations’ specialized agency for digital technologies. Through its AI for Good platform, ITU leads global efforts to align emerging technologies with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Quantum for Good is the latest in a series of initiatives designed to ensure that innovation benefits all of humanity.
