February 10, 2025 | Washington, DC

On February 5, 2025, the Embassy of Switzerland in the United States, in partnership with the Open Quantum Institute at GESDA and Swissnex in Boston and New York, hosted the launch of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ), in Washington, D.C. This celebration happened simultaneously with the official launch at UNESCO in Paris.

The 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) recognizes 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics.

On this special occasion, a diverse group of 32 selected participants – foreign diplomats, U.S. government agencies, think tanks, academia and industry representatives – played the Quantum Diplomacy Game. The city of Washington was the first stop of this unique anticipatory game developed by GESDA for the Open Quantum Institute. The game will be activated in different parts of the world, such as Kenya, Malaysia, and Germany, on the occasion of the IYQ 2025.

The afternoon kick-off with some opening remarks about the educational nature of the game and GESDA’s broader mission to promote anticipatory diplomacy. Participants were also introduced to the Science Breakthrough Radar, a tool developed by GESDA to identify key scientific advancements, such as synthetic biology, space resources, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing in a 5, 10, 25-year time horizon. The exercise consisted in using a future scenario in order to assess the tremendous potential of quantum computing for the benefit of society and the planet, but also complex governance implications that could arise.

The Quantum Diplomacy Game, facilitated by Kaeri Martinez Medina, PhD candidate in micro-biology and president of the Penn Science Policy and Diplomacy Group at the University of Pennsylvania, engaged participants in real-world diplomatic scenario, challenging them to analyze complex issues, such as nations’ strategic interests, national security, supply chains, and intellectual property. The interactive nature of the game stimulated dynamic discussions and enhanced participants’ understanding of the importance of anticipatory diplomacy.

The event was followed by an official part at the Swiss residence, with opening remarks by Ambassador of Switzerland to the United States, Dr. Ralf Heckner. The debriefing of the game was co-moderated by Dr. Catherine Lefebvre, Senior Advisor at the Open Quantum Institute GESDA and Dr. Kate Weber, Head of Governance and External Affairs at Google Quantum AI. They provided the audience with key learnings and take-away lessons from the simulation game played during the afternoon.

The official part followed with a line of high-level speakers who delivered flash remarks on the theme of “Making International Year of Quantum a Success for All.”

• Hassana Howe, American Physical Society, Chief Experience and Engagement Officer
• George D. Thomas, Connected DMV, President & CEO
• Kate Waimey Timmerman, Chicago Quantum Exchange, CEO
• Mike Bennett, QSEnSE Quantum Leap Challenge Institute, Director for Workforce Development and Education
• Brendan Karch, Swissnex in Boston and New York, Interim CEO

The event concluded with a networking segment which provided a great opportunity to strengthen connections amongst many organizations involved in Quantum Science, Industry, Policy, Diplomacy, and Communication in Washington, D.C.

Organizations that participated in the Quantum Diplomacy Game in Washington, D.C.