Big Meetup: How will Quantum impact Business and Society?
On our launch and its aftermath
During the Big Meetup: How will quantum impact business and society, CQS took the stage. It was our official launching event. We invited five experienced women in the field of quantum and technology development in general, to talk to an audience of more than 100 participants about core questions on ELSA aspects of quantum. Our speakers were as follows:
- Jaya Baloo: Chief Information Security Officer Avast & Vice Chair of the EU Quantum Flagship Strategic Advisory Board
- Daria Robinson: Executive Director Diplomacy Forum at Geneva Science & Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA)
- Freeke Heijman: Quantum Delta Netherlands, co-founder & director of ecosystem development
- Eline de Jong: Working group member Quantum Impact Assessment and former member of the Project Group AI at the Scientific Council for Government Policy (WRR)
- Deborah Nas: Initiative Lead Centre for Quantum & Society and Professor at TU Delft
By using a mixed format of interviews and presentations, our speakers were able to exchange with the audience and create a truly interactive space. Throughout the session, these five professionals answered the questions from their expertise and as a reflection of their responsibilities and roles. To set the pace of a hybrid event like this and make participation and engagement the keys for knowledge co-creation, there was an open chat as well for our online participants, moderated by our colleague Julia Cramer.
Concerns on the application of quantum technology arose from the audience that considered ethical, legal and societal implications as core topics to discuss already at this stage of quantum development. Some of the international voices in the debate addressed issues like inclusivity, gender diversity, relevance of the topic to early education programs and strategic development with emphasis in the differences between countries regarding this technology, even within Europe.
We were very satisfied to hear that our colleagues from the quantum ecosystem, gave a positive feedback in the aftermath of the event, not only for its own setup, in-depth discussions and organization, but also for the relevance of addressing societal impact of quantum from the Centre for Quantum and Society.
Are you willing to contribute to our challenge of realizing positive societal impact with quantum technologies? Please contact us, and we will take you onboard.
Speak soon!