New master's course bridges quantum technology and sustainability

The course explores the intersection of quantum technologies and sustainability, focusing on how quantum could be applied to sustainability use cases, and on fundamental aspects of thermodynamics in computation. It was created by director of the QSE master’s program, Nicolas Macris, in collaboration with members of the Geneva Science Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) Foundation and the Open Quantum Institute (OQI), and the EPFL Center for Quantum Science and Engineering (QSE Center).

“As EPFL is introducing courses in sustainability at both at the bachelor’s and master’s levels, we decided to create a domain-specific elective class focused on quantum,” says Macris.

“The next generation of quantum leaders developing solutions”

The weekly course began with guest lectures from Marieke Hood, executive director impact translator at GESDA, Catherine Lefebvre, senior advisor at GESDA for OQI Philipp Kammerlander, Applications Expert at OQI, who introduced the students to the policy landscape and potential use cases for quantum technology to help achieve certain sustainable development goals (SDGs), while also explaining the limitations and uncertainties. The class then split into small groups for 20 minutes to think of a sustainability problem that could be addressed with quantum computing in the future.

“In order to be relevant, it needs to be a computational problem, and not all SDGs are linked to a computational problem,” explains Kammerlander.

Students also participated in a quantum diplomacy roleplaying game facilitated by Marianne Schoerling, senior program manager at GESDA, in collaboration with QSE Center executive director Philippe Caroff. In the game, students are brought to the year 2035, when there are viable quantum computers, but access remains unequal across countries, leading to conflict. The students then return to 2025 and take on the roles of ministers, CEOs, and researchers from different imaginary countries at an international conference to negotiate and agree on a future where quantum technologies are accessible to all.

“Playing the quantum diplomacy game with the students was not only fun, but an enriching experience to see the next generation of quantum leaders engaging in a multistakeholder and multilateral dialogue to develop solutions at the intersection of quantum and diplomacy,” says Schoerling.

The students immersed themselves into the game quickly and took on the roles of CEOs, ministers, ambassadors, professors, and civil society leaders, diplomatically and creatively responding to the conflicting agendas and motivations within their roles.

"Quantum could solve, in principle, problems that are today intractable by conventional computers,” says Schoerling. “But how can we ensure quantum is used to benefit all? By taking the quantum students on a journey from science anticipation, to use case development of quantum computing geared towards achieving the UN SDGs and the multilateral governance of the technology, we are equipping them for a world accelerated by science and technology."

“The Quantum Diplomacy Game was a highlight of the course for me!” says Emma Berenholt, a master’s student in the course. “We debated access, risks, and ethics in quantum technology. It taught me how crucial dialogue and trust are in shaping the future of science.”

Addressing energy costs

Along with these elements, the class also features a hard science component addressing thermodynamics of computation and costs of quantum versus classical computing, and analysis and benchmarks of energy consumption in current and near-term real quantum devices.

“Prof. Macris gave us insightful lectures on the thermodynamics of computation, exploring concepts like the Landauer principle and reversible computing,” Berenholt adds. “And Prof. Adrian Ionescu taught us about the energy demands of AI, offering a valuable comparison with quantum technologies.”

The semester-long course will end with group projects that will either be related to current SDG use cases or new ones that they can propose.

“The links between sustainable development and quantum are not obvious, even to experts in those domains,”says Caroff. “Still, the dialogue and ties initiated by GESDA and OQI are fascinating, and thanks to this first course, we experienced the fantastic engagement and enthusiasm of our EPFL students to reach beyond their technical expertise. Internationally, several educators in quantum centers have expressed their excitement about introducing such a course in the future, and we hope that broadly sharing what has been learned from this first curriculum in quantum sustainability will inspire others to grow and develop their own courses.”