In November 2023, the first “Alain Aspect symposium on the applications of Quantum Science” has been held in Sherbrooke, Canada, on the theme of Quantum for healthcare. This first symposium has brought together, under the chair of Prof. Aspect, about 50 participants, academic and industrial actors of the global quantum ecosystem, at Institute Quantique of Sherbrooke University (UdeS), for half a day, followed by visits in this rich ecosystem. The symposium has been the opportunity for speakers to formulate the state of the art for applications of quantum technologies in healthcare, put in evidence collaborative projects and look for ways to build stronger connections towards maximizing short term impact.

The next symposium will happen in the Paris region, in France, at iXcampus, an emerging hotspot for innovation, on 19-20 of November 2024. The 2024 Alain Aspect Symposium will focus “Quantum & Climate”. The symposium serves as a crucial platform fostering interdisciplinary collaboration by bridging the gap between quantum scientists and individuals engaged in climate change. By facilitating a dialogue between these two diverse groups, the event aims to uncover innovative solutions to computational challenges that lie at the intersection of quantum science and climate-related issues. This cross-disciplinary exchange of ideas and perspectives has the potential to spark groundbreaking advancements in computational methodologies tailored to tackle real-world problems in these critical areas.