Empire State Review Contributor 
In 2025, the United Nations designated the year as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ), reflecting a century since quantum mechanics reshaped modern science. The proclamation, adopted by the UN General Assembly on June 7, 2024, highlights quantum’s role in sustainable development, education, and technology access—especially in underrepresented regions and communities. Led by UNESCO, the initiative supports global collaboration, gender equity in STEM, and broader quantum literacy.
In June and July 2025, several landmark scientific achievements emphasized the significance of this observance. On June 17, researchers in China demonstrated a parallel optical computing chip capable of processing 100 simultaneous wavelength-based operations using a soliton microcomb and Mach–Zehnder interferometer mesh—marking a milestone toward scalable, light-based AI hardware. Shortly thereafter, a team from the University of Strathclyde announced a novel method for assembling ultra-miniaturized optical devices, addressing a critical manufacturing challenge and paving the way for scalable quantum photonic chips used in telecommunication, sensing, and computing.
Complementing these hardware advances, international researchers in Vienna and Italy developed a quantum photonic circuit under Nature Photonics that enhanced machine learning performance. Their system used a photonic processor to outperform classical algorithms in classification tasks while consuming less energy—a promising step toward greener AI driven by quantum-enhanced hardware.
Another transformative breakthrough came just days ago: a collaborative team from Boston University, UC Berkeley, and Northwestern University created a “quantum light factory”—a 1 mm² silicon chip built with standard 45 nm CMOS manufacturing. The device integrates 12 microring resonators with built-in self-stabilizing photodiodes and control circuits, enabling quantum photon generation on a mass‑producible platform compatible with existing semiconductor infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory unveiled its first light images on June 23, 2025, capturing stunning views of the Virgo Cluster, Trifid and Lagoon Nebulae, and identifying nearly 2,000 asteroids. This massive dataset—set for full public release in 2027—provides an invaluable resource for astrophysics research and long-term observational science.
Together, these advances underscore the global momentum behind quantum science in 2025. The development of AI‑powered optical and quantum photonics chips not only promises progress in materials design and computational energy efficiency, but also signals the move toward scalable, manufacturable quantum technologies. The Rubin Observatory’s first light data further demonstrates quantum science’s impact in observational astronomy and data-rich scientific inquiry.
As the International Year unfolds, UNESCO and its partners are hosting outreach activities, educational campaigns, and events worldwide to increase public understanding and participation. The initiative’s goals include promoting quantum access in developing regions, supporting women in STEM, and fostering capacity-building for future generations of quantum researchers.
These breakthroughs reinforce the broader relevance of quantum science to societal challenges—from clean energy and healthcare to communications and sustainable development. They validate the UN’s call to elevate public engagement with quantum technologies and amplify their benefits globally.
2025 serves not just as a celebration of a scientific centennial, but as a pivotal moment when quantum science transitions from fundamental theory to real-world innovation. With these key discoveries and an organized global initiative underway, the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology is proving essential to a transformative second quantum revolution.
