Insider Brief
- World Quantum Day 2025, observed annually on April 14 in reference to Planck’s constant (4.14×10⁻¹⁵ eV·s), aligns this year with the United Nations’ International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, amplifying its global significance.
- Quantum-focused events are taking place across continents, including major industry conferences, public science fairs, hackathons, and high-level policy forums featuring international leaders and researchers.
- Highlight events include Saudi Arabia’s “Discovering Quantum Possibilities” forum, the Quantum.Tech USA industry summit, and educational celebrations from the Netherlands to Cameroon and Taiwan, showcasing the expanding global reach of quantum computing.
World Quantum Day (WQD) is celebrated globally every April 14 – a date chosen to reflect “4.14,” the first digits of Planck’s constant (4.14×10⁻¹⁵ eV·s). In 2025, this day takes on added significance as it falls within the United Nations-designated International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, marking 100 years of quantum mechanics breakthroughs. Across continents, quantum research institutes, companies, and community groups are hosting events to spark public interest and highlight cutting-edge developments in quantum computing and technology.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of just some of the WQD 2025 events focused on quantum computing, spanning regions and formats. Each event features prominent organizations or speakers, major industry or institutional support, and unique activities from hackathons to conferences, illustrating the worldwide excitement around quantum computing.
1. “Discovering Quantum Possibilities” – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (In-Person/Hybrid)
Hosted by the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) Saudi Arabia in partnership with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and Saudi Aramco, this high-profile forum in Riyadh is a flagship WQD 2025 event. Titled “Discovering Quantum Possibilities,” it convenes global experts from government, industry, and academia to explore advances in quantum computing and science. Key speakers include Dr. Talal Al-Sedairy (KACST R&D head), Dr. Mariam Nouh (KACST VP), Dr. Sebastian Buckup (World Economic Forum), Eng. Muhammad Al-Saiyari (Aramco’s Quantum Lead and Saudi Quantum Computing Association chair), Prof. Ibrahim Niaz (National Technology Development Program CEO), Ilyas Khan (CEO of Quantum Computing at Cambridge, Vice-Chair of Quantinuum), and Rebecca Krauthammer (Founder of QuSecure) – a lineup featuring CEOs and noted scientists. Dr. Basma Al-Buhairan, C4IR’s Managing Director, emphasizes that Saudi Arabia uses this platform to shape pro-innovation policies and raise awareness of quantum’s transformative potential.
Backed by major institutions and the World Economic Forum, the event also highlights 100 years of quantum science in honor of the 1925 origins of quantum mechanics. A standout feature is the announcement of winners of the “UpLink Quantum for Society” challenge – a global competition for quantum tech solutions to societal challenges, run with WEF’s UpLink platform.. This celebration builds on Riyadh’s successful inaugural WQD event last year (300+ in-person attendees and 5,000+ online viewers).
2. Quantum.Tech USA 2025 Conference – Washington, D.C., USA (In-Person with Online Content)
Quantum.Tech USA 2025 is one of the year’s largest quantum computing industry conferences, strategically timed around World Quantum Day. Taking place April 14–16 in Washington, D.C., it kicks off with a “Cryptography Spotlight Day” focused on quantum-safe encryption, followed by two days of main conference sessions and expo. The event is organized by Alpha Events and is expected to draw over 450 thought leaders from government, finance, tech, and academia. Attendees will delve into real-world case studies and the latest trends in quantum computing, sensing, and communication. The agenda highlights critical topics like scalability and error correction, quantum security, commercialization strategies, workforce development, and public-private collaboration.
This conference boasts an 80+ speaker lineup, including top experts and decision-makers. Notable confirmed speakers range from Carolyn Mercer (Chief Technologist, NASA) to Rick Muller (Director at IARPA), as well as industry leaders like Lockheed Martin’s quantum lead Dani Cougler and JPMorgan’s quantum research lead Obada Alia. With major quantum companies (IBM, IonQ, D-Wave, AWS and others) typically sponsoring or exhibiting, Quantum.Tech USA serves as a commercial hub – “the largest global gathering of quantum experts focused on real-life applications” since 2019. Attendees can expect product demos, government announcements, and networking with vendors and startups.
3. World Quantum Day Dutch Quantum Ecosystem Celebration – Enschede, Netherlands (In-Person)
The Netherlands’ quantum community comes together on April 14 for an all-day event at the University of Twente, celebrating the nation’s vibrant quantum computing and technology ecosystem. Co-organized by the University of Twente and Quantum Delta NL (the Dutch quantum innovation hub network), this gathering will showcase breakthroughs from all five major Dutch quantum hubs – Delft, Eindhoven, Leiden, Twente, and Amsterdam. Attendees from industry, academia, and the public can join keynote talks, interactive workshops, and networking sessions highlighting the latest research and startups in quantum computing, communication, and sensing. In particular, a keynote by Dr. Sofia Vallecorsa of CERN will kick off discussions on quantum applications in high-energy physics. Panel discussions and breakout sessions throughout the day cover topics like photonic quantum computing, talent development, a national quantum network, and industry use-cases for quantum tech.
A unique highlight is the official opening of the House of Quantum Twente, a new innovation center, which will be celebrated as part of the program. Major Dutch institutions and companies in Quantum Delta NL are involved, making it a showcase of public-private partnership in quantum R&D. The event runs 10:00–18:00, with an evening program in Dutch for the general public. With hands-on demos and student project pitches alongside expert talks, the Enschede WQD celebration exemplifies how an entire country can collaboratively spotlight its quantum computing achievements and ambitions. It’s a cornerstone European event for WQD 2025, reflecting the Netherlands’ status as a quantum technology hotspot.
4. QuanTour: The Return – Berlin, Germany (Hybrid In-Person/Online)
In Berlin, the German Physical Society (DPG) and local universities are hosting QuanTour – The Return, an engaging hybrid event at the historic Urania science venue to mark World Quantum Day. This event is centered on the return of “Europe’s most famous quantum emitter” – a traveling single-photon source that has been journeying across 12+ European quantum labs as part of the open-science outreach project “QuanTour”. The afternoon kicks off with a keynote by Prof. Oliver Benson (Humboldt University Berlin), a leading quantum optics researcher, who will introduce the science of creating single light particles (photons) and what quantum experiments can do with them. Organizers Ulrich Bleyer (DPG), Prof. Doris Reiter (TU Dortmund), and Dr. Tobias Heindel (TU Berlin) will then present highlights from the QuanTour project, sharing stories and demos from its European trek.
As an official outreach initiative of UNESCO’s International Year of Quantum, QuanTour’s finale in Berlin uniquely blends science education with a pan-European collaboration. Attendees – ranging from students and the public to scientists – can witness a live demonstration of the quantum light source and hear from researchers who hosted it across Europe. The event’s hybrid format means a wider audience can join online to “get to the bottom” of quantum optics mysteries.
5. YQuantum Hackathon 2025 – New Haven, USA (Hybrid Student Event)
Yale University’s student-led YQuantum 2025 Hackathon offers a dynamic celebration of WQD focused on the next generation of quantum computing talent. Held over the weekend of April 12–13 at the Yale Quantum Institute in New Haven (just before WQD), this hackathon immerses university students from around the world in cutting-edge quantum programming challenges. Teams compete in two tracks: an “Advancement” track pushing the frontiers of quantum algorithms and hardware (e.g. optimizing quantum error correction or developing new algorithms), and an “Application” track applying quantum algorithms to real-world problems in fields like healthcare, logistics, or finance. The goal is to “design the solutions of tomorrow” by leveraging today’s quantum computers and simulators.
YQuantum has attracted significant industry and institutional support. Major sponsors in 2025 include leading quantum companies and tech firms such as Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Quantinuum, Quera Computing, QBraids, IonQ, and even aerospace/defense giant Raytheon. These sponsors often provide challenge problems, APIs or mentorship to participants. Yale’s own quantum computing pioneers (part of the 30+ research groups at YQI) are on hand as mentors, and the event is organized by the Yale Undergraduate Quantum Computing group with faculty oversight. The hackathon fosters collaboration across universities – students from Stanford, UCLA, Brown, and many others participated (YQuantum advertises representation from dozens of institutions). Prizes and recognition are awarded for the top projects, some of which may lead to further research or startup ideas.
6. “2025 Quantum Centennial” Science Fair – Taipei, Taiwan (In-Person)
In Taiwan, World Quantum Day is celebrated with a large-scale quantum science fair aimed at students and the general public. The Physical Society of Taiwan, the Physics Research Promotion Center, and the National Taiwan Science Education Center in Taipei have teamed up to host the “2025 Quantum Centennial – World Quantum Day Science Fair” on April 12–13. This two-day in-person fair transforms the National Science Education Center’s lobby into an interactive playground of quantum technology. Visitors of all ages can explore hands-on exhibits demonstrating principles of quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing. Live science demonstrations and expert mini-lectures run throughout the day, illustrating phenomena like superposition and entanglement in accessible ways. One highlight is a screening of “Game On,” an immersive short film that blends science and imagination to reveal wonders of the quantum world.
The event also infuses fun and competition – for example, a “Quantum Tic-Tac-Toe Championship” invites visitors to try a twist on a classic game using quantum rules. Top researchers from Taiwan’s leading quantum institutes will be on site to guide the activities and engage with attendees. Admission is free, and attendees even receive a “challenge pass” to encourage trying all interactive stations. Commemorating 100 years of quantum mechanics, this science fair’s unique value lies in its public outreach focus: it brings quantum computing and physics concepts out of the lab and into a carnival-like setting. By sparking curiosity among students and families, Taiwan’s WQD science fair helps build broader awareness and excitement for quantum technologies in Asia.
7. Pawsey Supercomputing Open House – Perth, Australia (In-Person)
Australia’s quantum community is marking WQD 2025 with an open house at the Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre in Perth. On April 14, Pawsey’s facility – known for its high-performance computing infrastructure – will welcome visitors for a day of exploring the intersection of supercomputing and quantum computing. The event is structured into multiple 90-minute tour sessions throughout the day (free with registration). Attendees will get to meet quantum computing experts and see demonstrations that illustrate how quantum principles are being integrated into modern computing. Hands-on activity stations will let participants experiment with simple quantum algorithms and puzzles, offering a feel for concepts like qubits and superposition in an interactive way. There are even creative activities, such as designing quantum-themed art, to engage younger participants and newcomers in a fun manner.
This open house is organized by Pawsey in partnership with Australia’s quantum research networks (advertised via the Australian Institute of Physics and others. It aims to celebrate WQD by bridging the gap between traditional supercomputing and emerging quantum computing technologies. Pawsey engineers and guest researchers will be on hand to answer questions – for instance, explaining how classical HPC centers are preparing for quantum accelerators and what quantum computing could mean for fields like mining, finance, and medicine. By inviting the public into a national computing facility, the Pawsey Open House provides a uniquely immersive WQD experience. It underscores Australia’s commitment to public engagement in quantum science, highlighting the country’s growing quantum computing initiatives in a region not always in the global spotlight.
8. QWorld’s Online Quantum Day Talks – Global (Virtual)
QWorld, an international educational initiative, is celebrating WQD 2025 by hosting a series of six online talks and presentations open to participants worldwide. This virtual event brings together leading experts from different countries to discuss a wide range of quantum computing and science topics, making advanced concepts accessible to a broad audience. Each talk is an hour long and features live Q&A, allowing attendees – from students to professionals – to engage directly with the speakers. The program includes topics such as using nonclassical light as a resource for quantum information processing, quantum computing applications in industry, and overviews of the latest research breakthroughs. For example, one session by Dr. Saleh Rahimi-Keshari (IPM, Iran) covers “Nonclassicality as a resource for quantum-information processing,” exploring how quantum features enable tasks beyond classical limits. Another talk by Alain Chancé (quantum tech entrepreneur) addresses commercialization and market aspects.
What makes QWorld’s event stand out is its truly global reach and community-driven spirit. The talks are scheduled across time zones (with GMT timeslots) to allow participation from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. QWorld, being a grassroots network of quantum enthusiasts and educators across 65+ countries, uses this platform to promote public understanding of quantum technologies in a decentralized way. There is no cost to attend, and hundreds of attendees are expected online. By leveraging online connectivity, QWorld’s WQD celebration complements the in-person events elsewhere, ensuring anyone, anywhere can learn about quantum computing from experts during this special week.
9. “Quantum Shorts: Encore” Film Screening – Waterloo, Canada (In-Person)
The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) at the University of Waterloo is hosting a creative World Quantum Day event on April 14 evening: “Quantum Shorts: Encore.” This in-person gathering is a quantum-themed film festival screening and panel discussion held at Apollo Cinema in Kitchener-Waterloo. IQC will showcase the winning short films from the international Quantum Shorts contest – a competition that invites filmmakers to tell imaginative stories inspired by quantum physics. These brief films (spanning sci-fi narratives to abstract visualizations) bring quantum concepts to life through art and storytelling. During the screening, a curated panel of experts from IQC and the local quantum community will provide commentary, drawing connections between the films’ themes and the real quantum research happening in Waterloo. For instance, panelists like Kayleigh Platz (IQC’s communications director) and Fiona Thompson (IQC outreach officer) are set to offer insights and answer audience questions, with additional industry/academic speakers expected to join in.
Following the films and panel, attendees can mingle at a networking reception with refreshments – a relaxed setting for students, researchers, and the general public to discuss quantum ideas sparked by the movies. This event is part of IQC’s contributions to the International Year of Quantum and underscores the region’s rich quantum culture (Waterloo is home to multiple quantum startups and research centers). Major sponsors or partners for Quantum Shorts include the Centre for Quantum Technologies (Singapore) which runs the contest, and IQC as a host, demonstrating institutional support for combining science and art. The unique format of Quantum Shorts: Encore makes quantum computing and physics approachable, celebrating WQD in a way that highlights creativity and cross-disciplinary inspiration in the quantum world.
10. Quantum Physics: From Foundation to Technologies – Bari, Italy (Hybrid)
On April 14 at 3:00 p.m. CET, the University of Bari celebrates World Quantum Day with a distinguished speaker series titled “Quantum Physics: From Foundations to Technologies.” Held in Room A of the Department of Physics, this in-person event highlights Europe’s leading role in the global quantum landscape, featuring thought leaders Gunnar Björk, Gerd Leuchs, and Hugo Zbinden—each of whom has made major contributions to the advancement and dissemination of quantum science.
Organized within three synergistic national research initiatives—QUASIMODO, NQSTI, and ICSC—the event will explore how the second quantum revolution is transforming education, innovation, and industry across Europe. With over 50 active researchers and a new postgraduate Master’s program launching in 2024, the University of Bari continues to lead in bridging cutting-edge quantum research with technology transfer and international collaboration.
11. Africa’s Quantum Future: Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategies – Limbe, Cameroon (Hybrid)
Join the celebration on April 14 at 10 AM WAT for World Quantum Day as African Institute for Mathematical Sciences hosts experts from across the globe spotlight Africa’s growing role in the quantum technology ecosystem. Under the theme “Africa’s Quantum Future: Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategies,” this event brings together researchers and thought leaders to explore the continent’s potential to contribute to and benefit from quantum innovation.
Keynote talks by Prof. Ferdinand Evers, Dr. Obinna Abah, and Chinonso Onah will set the stage for a dynamic panel featuring leading academics and researchers, including Prof. Thomas Konrad and Dr. Etienne Wamba. From cutting-edge research to strategic development, the program offers a deep dive into how Africa can shape its quantum future.
12. International Quantum Computer Masterclass (Virtual, Spain/Global)
On World Quantum Day, a collaborative team in Spain is offering a “Quantum Computing Hands-On” online masterclass to engage students and enthusiasts in Spanish-speaking regions. Co-organized by CESGA (the Galicia Supercomputing Center) and IGFAE at the University of Santiago de Compostela, this virtual event is part of an international series of quantum masterclasses and is conducted primarily in Spanish. The session is free to join and is designed to raise awareness of the transformative power of quantum computing among young students. Participants will get an introductory tutorial on how quantum computers work and can try simple programming exercises on quantum platforms, guided by instructors. By using cloud-based quantum processors or simulators, attendees gain practical experience with qubits and quantum logic gates in real time.
This masterclass also highlights educational and career opportunities in the quantum technology field, aiming to inspire students to pursue quantum studies. As an official IYQ 2025 outreach event, it underscores international cooperation – though hosted in Spain, the online format has drawn attendees from across Spain and Latin America in the past. The organizers (CESGA and IGFAE) are supported by CERN’s QuarkNet network (the event link is managed via CERN indico) and other academic partners. The unique aspect of this event is its language accessibility and interactive approach: it brings quantum computing concepts to non-English-speaking audiences and does so in a hands-on manner rather than through lectures alone.
