News / Noteworthy
QuantWorld Launch: Making Quantum Technologies Accessible to Society
We launched a new open-access learning platform focused on quantum technologies.
On May 7, 2026, we officially launched QuantWorld , a new open-access learning platform supported by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space. QuantWorld was built through close collaboration with Fraunhofer AISEC and several TUM faculties to make quantum technologies more understandable, accessible, and connected to everyday life.
The launch event took place at the Carl Friedrich von Siemens Foundation in Munich and brought together researchers, partners, and members of the public to learn more about the impact of quantum technologies and explore the newly released learning platform.
From quantum research to public understanding
Helena Gartmeier (TUM) , presenting Living World Mobility & Sustainability.
Quantum technologies are moving closer to real-world applications and are expected to influence key areas such as medicine, mobility, finance, cybersecurity, governance, and public decision-making. At the same time, many people still envision quantum technologies as something abstract, highly technical, or far removed from everyday life.
Rather than beginning with theory and abstract concepts, QuantWorld introduces learners to quantum technologies through thematic “Living Worlds”. These connect emerging technologies to questions and applications that are relevant to society, in areas including Banking & Security , Medicine Technology , Mobility , and Governance & Society .
Through these journeys, users can explore how quantum technologies may affect cryptography and IT security, medical imaging and drug development, traffic systems and sustainable mobility, as well as ethics, policy, and public participation. The platform is designed especially for non-expert audiences and supports accessible learning without requiring a technical background.
An event in two parts
The launch event was structured in two connected parts: an interdisciplinary research colloquium and the public presentation of the QuantWorld platform.
Part I: Interdisciplinary Research Colloquium
Nikolas Lukowicz (AISEC), presenting Living World Banking & Security.
The first part of the event focused on current research at the intersection of quantum technologies and society. Researchers presented interdisciplinary perspectives on many aspects of quantum technologies. These presentations highlighted the importance of looking at quantum innovation not only as a technical development, but also as a societal process.
The colloquium featured contributions by: Helena Gartmeier (TUM), Barbora Hrdá (TUM/AISEC/Yale/Northwestern), and Cecília Ayres Perez (TUM).
Fabienne Marc o (TUM), Franz Schilling (TUM), and Benedikt Wimmer (TUM) during the panel.
A key moment of the colloquium was the panel discussion “Quantum Research and Society – Who Shapes the Future?”, which brought together different perspectives on responsibility, participation, and public engagement in the field of quantum technologies. The discussion featured Fabienne Marco (TUM), Franz Schilling (TUM), and Benedikt Wimmer (TUM).
Part II: Public Platform Launch
The second part of the program focused on the presentation of the QuantWorld platform. The teams that directly worked on the platform introduced its concept, structure, and learning approach, showing how QuantWorld makes quantum technologies accessible to people without requiring specialist knowledge. This included contributions from Helena Gartmeier (TUM) on Mobility, Vivija Ceorkalo-Simic and Nikolas Lukowicz (AISEC) on Banking & Security, Gabriela Boechat and Cecilía Ayres Peres (TUM) on Governance and Quantum Basics, Franz Schilling (TUM) on Medicine Technology, and Head of QSL Fabienne Marco (TUM) on didactics, rationale, and motivation behind QuantWorld.
A presentation was also held by Eden Castaneira Rios (TUM) on the artistic interventions included in the development of the platform. By bringing artistic perspectives into dialogue with science and society, we opened other ways of engaging with quantum technologies beyond technical explanation alone.
Looking ahead
Group picture
The launch of QuantWorld marks the beginning of a growing open-access learning environment. The platform will continue to expand with additional content, learning modules, and a new Quantum Basics learning journey introducing the scientific foundations behind quantum technologies.
With QuantWorld, the Quantum Social Lab contributes to a broader effort to make quantum technologies understandable and discussable beyond expert circles — and to invite more people to take part in shaping how these technologies enter society.
