Page 137 - AI Standards for Global Impact: From Governance to Action

AI Standards for Global Impact: From Governance to Action

International cooperation and early, inclusive governance are essential to steer quantum
technologies toward widespread use and benefits. No single entity can build the quantum
ecosystem alone – a global supply chain and standards are needed to ensure innovation is not
siloed. Good Part 4: Quantum for

Together, diplomatic action to bridge the quantum divide, early adoption of technical
standards, and global collaboration on workforce skills and ethics could form the backbone of
a responsible, inclusive quantum future. Advancing Quantum for good will require balancing
openness, security, and shared standards so that innovation is not siloed but genuinely benefits
all.

22�5 The road to lasting impact

After a series of quantum-focused talks and panels, the wrap-up sessions attempted to answer
the big question: Quantum – hype, hope, or reality? There was a unanimous sense that the
field has unprecedented momentum in 2025 with record-breaking investments being made
in quantum startups and national programs, steady progress in hardware (quantum bits are
increasing, new error-correction milestones, etc.), and growing public awareness. Yet, experts
cautioned that practical utility and scalability are the true measures of quantum technology’s
success – and by those measures, there is still a long road ahead. In other words, promise still
outweighs proof in 2025.

The closing keynote offered a grounded but hopeful perspective: the quantum journey is a
marathon, not a sprint. Drawing historical parallels, the keynote reminded the audience that
the revolutionary impacts of classical computing did not happen overnight but were a result of
decades of incremental advances in transistors, software, and engineering. Quantum technology
may well follow a similar trajectory. Significant breakthroughs will require patience, sustained
research, and coordinated investment across the "full stack" – from fundamental physics and
materials science through to hardware engineering, software development, and algorithm
design. Progress will also come in waves, with perhaps unforeseen Eureka moments along
the way. “We don’t yet know the killer application of quantum computing, and the only way
to find it is to build these machines,” the speaker noted, emphasizing the need for continued
experimentation and innovation.

In conclusion, quantum technology’s future is bright but must be approached with both
enthusiasm and realism. The Quantum for Good track reinforced that tremendous possibilities
are on the horizon if quantum science is harnessed for societal benefit but achieving this will
demand global collaboration, policy guidance, and a steadfast focus on ethical, inclusive
development. The next steps involve turning the insights from these discussions into action:
launching collaborative projects, developing standards and governance frameworks, investing
in education, and continuing to communicate the value of quantum innovation to the public and
policymakers. With 2025 being a landmark year of quantum awareness and coordination, the
stage is set for a new era where "quantum for good" can truly move from aspiration to reality.

22�6 Future directions

In this year of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, at a time when global
attention is finally turning toward a field that has, for decades, remained largely invisible outside
research labs, the question now is how to sustain that attention once the banners come down.

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