After the success of last year’s edition, the Pasqal Hackathon returned in 2025 with a bold twist: blending Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence to tackle some of the world’s most urgent challenges. At Pasqal, we believe technology is a force for good. That’s why this year’s challenge invited innovators around the globe to explore how quantum-powered AI can support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — from climate action and clean energy to health and education.
Pasqal proposed 5 sustainability challenges aligned with 10 SDGs, focusing on areas where neutral atom quantum tech can reduce carbon footprint more effectively than classical approaches. Participants were asked to:
- Show measurable sustainability improvements
- Identify impactful, real-world use cases
- Build hybrid quantum/classical models
850+ applicants
70+ nationalities represented
137 proposals submitted
15 finalist teams selected
Mentorship from Pasqal, Sumitomo Corp, Capgemini, Yonsei University & Kipu Quantum
Winners
Out of 137 global submissions, three standout teams rose to the top with bold ideas that show how Quantum AI can accelerate progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals from climate to energy and disaster resilience.
- Control Alt de Ligt (UK & Germany) – €15,000
Team: Erik Millar, Thomas Morstyn, Tita Rosemeyer, Max Schweikart, David Smith, Xiangyue Wang
Project: Quantum-optimized power flow for grid efficiency & renewables - Sigma Fellas Inc. (Macedonia) – €10,000
Team: Vladimir Kitanovski, Alek Pachemski, Andrej Kotevski, Nikola Gilev, Ivan Jovanovski, Petar Krstevski
Project: AI-powered real-time wildfire prediction - QTX (Taiwan & UK) – €5,000
Team: Chen-Yu Liu, Louis Kuan-Cheng Chen
Project: Hybrid quantum-classical storm trajectory modeling
Key components of the challenge
Finalists announced at the World AI Action Summit
The teams developed innovative quantum-powered AI solutions to tackle global sustainability issues directly aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Together, innovators passionate about AI, quantum tech, or sustainability, proved that quantum AI isn’t just the future — it’s already shaping a more sustainable world and making a real impact. After the call for ideas, 15 top projects will be selected and announced during the World AI Action Summit on February 10th, 2025 .
The 15 finalists’ projects in no particular order
Multimodal cancer screening
Clinical and imaging data with AI for early cancer detection.
QScreen
Colorectal cancer early diagnosis
AI and quantum computing for faster, more accurate cancer detection.
GIC-quAI
Sustainable urban transport planning
Equitable and efficient bus routes with AI and quantum algorithms.
teamUGR
Sustainable nitrogen fixation
Ammonia production with quantum simulations for green agriculture.
quaNtumFix
Water-saving canal navigation planning
Panama Canal ship scheduling to reduce freshwater consumption.
Quantum Beach Hill
Renewable energy portfolio optimization
Renewable energy distribution with quantum-classical reinforcement learning techniques.
Qorea
Renewable power flow grid optimization
Power flow integration with quantum-enhanced grid efficiency and renewable energy integration.
Control alt de ligt
EV charging optimization Grid stability with machine learning-powered quantum annealing for energy storage.
Uva y Quanta
Piezoelectric urban energy harvesting
Urban mechanical vibrations into clean electricity through advanced material optimization.
AIQTEC
Typhoon forecasting model
Storm trajectory prediction using hybrid quantum-classical meteorological modeling.
QTX
Real-time wildfire response
Real-time firefighting strategies with AI-driven predictive modeling.
Sigma Fellas Incorporated
Wildfire prevention optimization
Optimization for fire risk forecasting and emergency planning.
SherbrooQ
Quantum climate risk analysis
Quantum Bayesian inference for natural disaster prediction and impact assessment.
Qurie
CO₂ hydrogenation optimization
Catalytic efficiency to convert CO₂ into sustainable fuels using quantum computing.
Feynman Prodigies
Marine habitat protection optimization
Coral bleaching and ecosystem degradation prediction using quantum & AI monitoring.
Quantum2Pi
Jury and Mentors
The Hackathon couldn’t have succeeded without the invaluable support of our dedicated mentors and expert jury. Throughout the challenge, mentors guided participants with insights, feedback, and technical expertise — helping teams shape their ideas into impactful, quantum ai-powered solutions. Our jury, composed of industry leaders, academic experts, and Pasqal’s own quantum innovators, brought their deep knowledge and critical perspective to the final evaluation. Their thoughtful guidance and fair assessment were key in recognizing the most promising solutions aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. We are deeply grateful for their time, passion, and commitment to fostering the next generation of change makers.
Our Jury
Our Mentors
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