Why is 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology?

June 12, 2024

The United Nations has made a big announcement: 2025 will be the “International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.” The goal of this statement is to make more people around the world aware of quantum science and how it can be used through different events all year long. This choice was made after a motion was started by Mexico in May 2023 and backed by nearly 60 countries by November of that same year. At the UNESCO General Conference, it was made legal.

Historical Context and the Centenary Celebration

German scientist Werner Heisenberg will have written a famous paper that laid the groundwork for quantum mechanics. This was a turning point in the history of physics. Classical physics was changed in important ways by Heisenberg’s work. This made it possible to understand quantum phenomena seen in the late 1800s and early 1900s. With the “uncertainty principle,” he made history and won the Nobel Prize for these kinds of accomplishments.

Global Endorsement and Support

Well-known groups like the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics, Chemistry, and Crystallography, as well as the International Union of History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, have backed the statement. These support shows that advancing quantum science and technology on a world scale is widely seen as important and appreciated.

Impact and Potential of Quantum Technologies

As quantum technology is talked about more in public and in the workplace, especially in terms of quantum computers, there is a strong opinion in the scientific community that these computers will soon be able to do work. It is expected that these advances will completely change areas like electronics, clean energy, and pharmaceuticals by making computers much faster.

Planned Activities and Global Outreach

Stakeholder Engagement: A lot of different groups are planning to be involved in the 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. People, groups, schools, companies, and governments are all involved. The goal of the project is to help more people understand and value quantum science and its possibilities.
Global Initiatives and Events: A steering group at the UN is in charge of planning global projects and events. The goal is to get more people interested, even those who don’t know much about quantum technologies. On January 14, 2025, there will be a formal opening in Berlin. There will be a lot of teaching and promotional events this year.

National Initiatives: Case Study of India

The Indian government launched the “National Quantum Mission” in April 2023 to show how important this new technology is. The project, which has a budget of Rs 6,000 crore and will run from 2023 to 2031, is led by the Department of Science and Technology and works on key areas such as communication, sensing, metrology, materials, devices, and quantum computing.

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