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Quantum Innovation Summit Wraps Up 2025 Edition

The highlight event showcased key industry collaborations and groundbreaking research, reinforcing the UAE’s leadership in quantum technology.

Published

4 months ago

March 7, 2025

Joanna Melki

quantum innovation summit wraps up 2025 edition

The 2025 Quantum Innovation Summit, hosted by the UAE Cyber Security Council, has come to a close, after a wave of groundbreaking discussions, strategic partnerships, and ambitious plans for the future of quantum tech. The event solidified the UAE’s role as a global leader in quantum advancements, bringing together experts from government, academia, and industry.

Bridging Research And Industry

The summit featured heavyweights including Microsoft, IBM, D-Wave, Palo Alto Networks, IonQ, Quantlase, QuantumGate, PASQAL, ID Quantique, and Quantinuum. Over three days, attendees discussed important research and its real-world application, emphasizing quantum’s growing role in AI, computing, cryptography, and cybersecurity.

The event kicked off with the Quantum Futures Forum, a high-level gathering aligning quantum innovations with global security, economic resilience, and policymaking. The Quantum Debates provided a platform for industry leaders to address challenges in governance, investment, and commercial adoption, paving the way for a more collaborative quantum economy.

The official opening featured a keynote by H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, who underscored the critical role of quantum technology in national security. Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), followed with insights into TII’s advancements in quantum computing and cryptography, reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to cutting-edge research and development.

Academic And Industry Collaborations Take Center Stage

The summit placed a strong emphasis on fostering quantum talent and innovation. The Academic Aisle provided a platform for researchers and students to showcase their work, while the Vernewell QInnovision World Challenge Finals spotlighted groundbreaking quantum solutions, strengthening the UAE’s reputation as a hub for quantum entrepreneurship.

Key announcements during the event included:

VerneX Quantum Valley Launch – Vernewell Group unveiled this initiative at NYU Abu Dhabi’s Center for Quantum and Topological Systems (CQTS), aiming to drive quantum commercialization and deep-tech entrepreneurship.
ID Quantique & Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy Partnership – A major step forward in enhancing quantum-secure communications for maritime trade and global logistics.
Kipu Quantum & CQTS NYU Abu Dhabi Collaboration – Strengthening ties between academia and industry to advance quantum algorithm development and real-world applications.
Quantum Marine Conference – A joint initiative by Vernewell Group and Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy exploring how quantum technology can improve maritime cybersecurity and efficiency.
Vernewell Group & REACH Group MoU – A strategic partnership to accelerate quantum adoption both in the UAE and globally, reinforcing the country’s leadership in deep-tech ecosystems.

Honoring Innovation And Leadership

The summit also took time to recognize individuals driving quantum advancements: H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, H.E. Dr. Saeed Al Dhaheri, and H.E. Faisal Al Bannai were honored with National Achievement Leadership in Innovation Awards for their contributions to cybersecurity and digital transformation.

The FemTum Leap Awards also celebrated pioneering women shaping the future of quantum technology, reinforcing the need for diverse leadership in deep tech. Meanwhile, the QInnovision World Challenge highlighted innovative quantum-powered solutions poised to transform industries.

Looking Ahead: The Future Of Quantum

Reflecting on the summit’s success, Mrs. Malak Trabelsi Loeb, Founder of the Quantum Innovation Summit and CEO of Vernewell Group, shared:

“With the support of the UAE Cyber Security Council and our esteemed academic partner, the Center for Quantum and Topological Systems at NYU Abu Dhabi, alongside key industry and government leaders, [we have solidified our] position as a global platform for quantum advancement. The strategic partnerships and commitments made during this summit reinforce our mission at Vernewell Group to ensure quantum technology drives economic resilience, security, and sustainable progress on a global scale”.

As quantum technology continues to evolve, the Quantum Innovation Summit is set to return on April 7–9, 2026. With a broader global network and deeper industry collaborations, the event will remain a cornerstone for shaping the future of quantum computing, investment, and policy development.

Related Topics:Quantum Computing Quantum Innovation Summit

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Saudi EV Adoption Accelerates With BYD Expansion & Tesla Launch

Saudi Arabia’s EV market is gaining momentum as BYD plans major showroom growth and Tesla establishes a foothold in Riyadh.

Published

2 days ago

July 16, 2025

Nour Nasir

saudi ev adoption accelerates with byd expansion and tesla launch

Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to become a regional hub for electric mobility are drawing greater investment from global automakers. As part of Vision 2030, the Kingdom is targeting 30% electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the capital, Riyadh, by the end of the decade — an objective that’s now shaping the strategic interests of international EV brands.

Chinese manufacturer BYD is planning a substantial thrust into the Saudi market, building on its current footprint of three showrooms. According to Jerome Saigot, BYD’s managing director in the Kingdom, the company aims to open 10 showrooms by the end of 2026.

“Saudi Arabia is a complex market. You need to go fast. You need to think big,” Saigot recently told reporters. “We are not here to stay at 5,000 or 10,000 cars a year”.

The announcement follows Tesla’s entry into the Saudi EV space, with the US automaker opening its first showroom in Riyadh in April. Tesla joins early players like BYD and Geely in what remains a nascent but strategically important segment for the Kingdom.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has also ramped up its electric mobility agenda. Its efforts include major investments in Lucid Motors, the creation of local EV brand Ceer, and support for the rollout of national charging infrastructure.

Also Read: Twitch Launches Arabic Right-To-Left Interface For Web & Mobile

However, electric vehicles still only account for just over 1% of total car sales in Saudi Arabia, according to data from PwC cited by Bloomberg. Key challenges include high upfront costs, limited public charging access, and the added complexity of operating in extreme heat conditions.

In spite of those hurdles, Saigot views Tesla’s entry as a net positive. “The more Tesla communicates on marketing, the better it is for us,” he said. Saigot joined BYD in April, having previously held executive roles at Nissan and Great Wall Motor.

With multiple brands scaling up activity in parallel — and government-backed infrastructure investment underway — Saudi Arabia’s EV sector appears set for rapid acceleration over the next few years.