On October 13, 2023, the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) announced the creation of the Open Quantum Institute (OQI) at its third summit in Geneva. According to the Greater Geneva Bern area (GGBa), the OQI was officially launched as a three-year pilot to be hosted at CERN starting March 2024, with UBS serving as lead support partner.
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis spoke at the inauguration, stating that the launch “reaffirms Switzerland’s determination to continue to invest in science diplomacy.” The OQI was designed by GESDA in collaboration with approximately 130 experts from academia, industry, diplomacy, and philanthropy during a year-long incubation period.
Its primary objective is to employ quantum computing technologies to accelerate progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. During the pilot phase, the OQI will support three to four projects targeting SDG-related use cases such as food systems optimization, medical imaging, and carbon dioxide reduction. The institute will operate as part of CERN’s wider Quantum Technology Initiative.