As part of the seminar on CERN opportunities, Mr. Martin Gastal, CERN Advisor for Relations with Ghana, presented on the Quantum Technology Initiative (QTI) at CERN. The session, hosted by the Responsible AI Lab (RAIL) and the Quantum Computing and Assistive Technologies Lab (QCAT), explored how KNUST researchers and students can engage with one of the most exciting frontiers in modern science.

Mr. Gastal explained that while many quantum initiatives exist across CERN Member States and beyond, the QTI was approved in 2020 with a distinct purpose: not to compete with existing efforts, but to complement them. He described the initiative as one grounded in CERN’s existing expertise, with clearly scoped goals designed to maximize impact.

He outlined the four key areas of quantum technology: quantum sensing, quantum simulation, quantum computing, and quantum communication.

He announced that KNUST is part of the QTI Hub, a collaborative network that enables students to work on cutting-edge quantum applications at CERN. Mr. Gastal emphasized that CERN is actively helping universities integrate quantum computing into their curricula, ensuring that the next generation of scientists is equipped for the quantum era.

He also spoke about the Quantum Materials Hackathon 2026, which took place at CERN, as an example of the hands-on, collaborative opportunities available to partner institutions.

The presentation sparked an interactive question-and-answer session, with participants raising questions about the benefits AI can derive from quantum technologies, the accessibility of resources and datasets, and the barriers preventing quantum from solving real-world problems.

Mr. Gastal acknowledged that upscaling remains a significant challenge. He stressed that training enough people and building capacity in the field are critical to overcoming these hurdles and unlocking the full potential of quantum technologies.

Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, Principal Investigator and Scientific Director of RAIL and QCAT, challenged the researchers and students in attendance to move beyond discussions and actively seize the opportunities presented. “Work together, be imaginative and creative, and the sky is only a stepping stone.”