The plans are aimed at furthering the development of the technology for general use, as was said at the opening of the three-day meeting in Geneva. Quantum technology is one of eight concrete solutions the foundation has identified on its compass for scientific progress over the next five, ten and 25 years.
Gesda President Peter Brabeck-Letmathe said the proposals are the first steps in making emerging technologies generally accessible. According to the former Nestlé President, these range from quantum technology to phasing out oil.
Patrick Aebischer, co-chairman of the foundation and former head of ETH Lausanne (EPFL), explained that the application of quantum technology will enable digitization to take an unprecedented leap. New technology arrives earlier than expected.
This requires better preparation than the introduction of the Internet. According to Aebischer’s estimation, governments and companies will invest over $16 billion in quantum technology by the end of 2027. Gamers hope to learn more about the feasibility of the new technology from a study announced for 2023.
Brabeck-Letmathe cited the current situation regarding the Ukrainian war, energy and food crises as a good reason to have an organization like Gesda. Superpowers should not have access to scientific progress alone. This justifies the foundation’s role as an honest mediator.
Federal President and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis inaugurated the organization’s second summit on Wednesday. In the video message, Cassis gave science diplomacy a key role. Scientific advances had to be foreseen. In this way, its advantages can be enjoyed by everyone.
The Federal President will attend the meeting on Thursday and Friday, as announced by the Federal Foreign Office (EDA). He will meet with Singapore’s foreign minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, among others, on Thursday evening. Cassis will attend a ministerial panel on Friday.
According to the EDA, he explained beforehand that scientific breakthroughs are crucial for governments that have to deal with global challenges. Such advances should be used and shared fairly.
More than 1,200 people will attend the second Gesda summit meeting by Friday. Politics, diplomacy, science, business and non-governmental organizations are represented.
The federal government will support the foundation with three million francs per year from 2023. The state government justified its decision in March by establishing itself after a three-year pilot phase.
Gesda deals with scientific and technological trends and their impact on people, the environment and international relations. It promotes international dialogue. Gesda was established in 2019 by the federal government and the canton of Geneva with the support of the city of Geneva.
(SDA)