On January 24, 2025, the Austrian Foreign Ministry hosted the kickoff event of the Quantum TechDiplomacyTalks series, according to Quantum Science Austria. The initiative was co-organized by the Austrian Ministry for European and International Affairs, Quantum Science Austria (quantA), and the Innsbruck Quantum Ethics Lab. Director General Ambassador Elisabeth Kornfeind opened the event.
Under the theme “Beyond the Digital Age: Dimensions of TechDiplomacy in a Quantum World,” the event explored the intersection of quantum technology with geopolitics, security, and ethics. Daniel Hikes-Wurm from the Austrian Ministry of Defence outlined defense and security aspects of quantum technology, while Matthias C. Kettemann from the University of Innsbruck addressed governance and ethical challenges. Claudia Reinprecht of the Austrian Foreign Ministry moderated the discussions.
Separately, the Austrian Foreign Ministry and the Austrian Ministry of Defense had embarked on a joint project with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) to explore the peace and security dimensions of quantum technology. Austria also introduced a new initiative on the ethics of quantum technology at UNESCO. The TechDiplomacyTalks series was scheduled to continue throughout the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology 2025.