28/11/2025
Sabancı University hosted the International Year of Quantum (IYQ) Global Event on the Ethical, Legal, and Social Aspects (ELSA) of Quantum Technologies. Held on the Altunizade Digital Campus on November 20-21, the event brought together leading ELSA experts, community organizers, and academics in the field of quantum technologies.
Hosted by Sabancı University Vice President for Research Prof. Dr. Mehmet Yıldız, the event was the culmination of six regional online workshops held in different regions of the world (Europe, North America, South America, Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa).
Opening Address by Burç Mısırlıoğlu
The International Year of Quantum (IYQ) ELSA Global Event began with an opening speech by Prof. Dr. Burç Mısırlıoğlu, Vice Dean for Research at Sabancı University's Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences. In his speech, Mısırlıoğlu touched upon the 100-year history of quantum theory and outlined quantum milestones from both theoretical and technological perspectives. Burç Mısırlıoğlu introduced Sabancı University Physics Program faculty members to guests from around the world, providing information about the research, workshops, and collaborations with national and international events undertaken within the University's Physics Program.
"We are on the verge of the quantum revolution."
Following Mısırlıoğlu, Prof. Dr. Zafer Gedik, a faculty member in the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, spoke, explaining that the foundations of quantum were laid 100 years ago, but that it has been a part of our daily lives for the last 80 years. "The invention of transistors 80 years ago was a crucial step that changed our lives," he said. "Now, with quantum technology, we are on the verge of a second revolution. We are delighted to host a conference where we will address who will use this technology today, as well as its ethical aspects and impact on our social lives."
On the first day of the event, Özlem Salehi Köken, a researcher at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences at Sabancı University and co-coordinator of QTürkiye, gave a presentation on QTürkiye's work. Following this, Dr. Mira Wolf-Bauwens, Head of GESDA's Enterprise Development Unit, Pieter E. Vermaas from Delft University of Technology, and Zeki Can Seskir from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology gave presentations on research covering the ethical, legal, and social impacts of quantum technologies.
Following this, in a session focused on the regional and global implications of quantum research, Bruna Shinohara de Mendonça, founder of the Quantum Ethics Project, presented on North America; Fabienne Marco from the Technical University of Munich presented on Europe; and Arsev Umur Aydınoğlu from the Middle East Technical University presented on the Middle East and North Africa.
The first day of the event continued with presentations by Clarissa Ai Ling Lee from Monash University Malaysia on Asia; Carla Hermann Avigliano from the University of Chile on South America; and Dorcas Attuabea Addo from the University of Winneba on Sub-Saharan Africa, all covering quantum studies and research from an ELSA perspective. At the end of the day, Claudia Fracchiolla from the American Physical Society shared information about the events of the International Year of Quantum worldwide.
The Role of Technology Companies and Governments in the ELSA Framework
The second day of the event began with presentations by Mira Wolf-Bauwens, former Head of Responsible Quantum Computing at IBM, Büşra Kamiloğlu from Microsoft Türkiye, and Malak Trabelsi Loeb from the Vernewell Group, examining the role of major technology companies and industry in the ethical, legal, and social aspects of quantum technologies.
The session then addressed the role of governments in the ELSA framework. Dongyoun Cho from IISS Europe, Adrian Schmidt from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, and Shantanu Sharma from the Indian QET Council delivered presentations. The session concluded with an evaluation session moderated by Ayşe Ayda Gerçek.
Bruna Shinohara de Mendonça, Carla Hermann Avigliano, Abdulmalek Baitumal, founder of QLibya, and Nicolas Ayala Arboleda from Young Pugwash addressed the role of science communication and outreach activities in the ELSA framework of quantum technologies. At the closing of the session, an evaluation was made, moderated by Arsev Umur Aydınoğlu.
The event concluded with an open discussion session titled "Roadmap for a Responsible Quantum Decade."
