Beyond AI, how to prepare for quantum computing?

Executive Director • EPFL Center for Quantum Science and Engineering

Philippe Caroff is the Executive Director of the EPFL Center for Quantum Science and Engineering (QSE). A specialist in compound-semiconductor nanotechnology and quantum materials, he has worked across academia and industry — including at Microsoft on quantum-hardware materials. At EPFL, he leads strategic partnerships, funding initiatives and the translation of quantum research into real-world applications.

Executive Director Impact Translator • GESDA

Ms Hood holds a Master’s degree in management from emlyon business school and a Master’s degree in urban planning and development from University Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. She began her career in strategy consulting, where she advised local, regional and national governments on economic and innovation policy. She has a specific interest in assessing the methods and mechanisms that policymakers use to accelerate economic development in their regions, such as innovation clusters, incubators, accelerators and technology transfer platforms. In 2012, Ms Hood joined the Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs at the Embassy of Switzerland, first in Paris and until recently in London. In her latest capacity as the head of Swiss Business Hub UK+Ireland, she supported business and R&D ventures between Swiss and UK corporates and start-ups. She has led projects on artificial intelligence and data-driven technology with applications in healthcare, life science and performance engineering. In August 2020 she joined GESDA, where she heads operations, private-sector innovation and public affairs.

Advisor • Open Quantum Institute (OQI)

CEO • ID Quantique

Grégoire Ribordy is the co-founder and CEO of ID Quantique (IDQ), a global leader in quantum-safe security technologies. A physicist by training with a Ph.D. from the University of Geneva, he previously worked in R&D at Nikon in Tokyo before launching IDQ in 2001. Under his leadership, the company pioneered commercial quantum key distribution and quantum random-number generation. He is also the author of numerous scientific publications and patents in quantum communications and optical physics.

Executive Director Chief Information Security Office • UBS

Silvan Schellenberg is an accomplished Chief Information Security Officer with over two decades of experience in information security and operational risk management, and a 30-year career in the financial industry. Based in Zürich, Silvan leads UBS’ cybersecurity efforts in Switzerland and the EMEA region, with a dual focus: advancing the firm’s cyber defense frameworks and reinforcing Switzerland’s global leadership in cyber and information security. A passionate contributor to the national cybersecurity agenda, Silvan actively supports UBS’ collaboration with government and industry bodies, both within Switzerland and internationally.