As the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) nears its conclusion and the global focus on generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) continues apace, it is clear that the future is already being reshaped by these transformative technologies.
Given this landscape, the UN system must ask itself a critical question: are we equipped to respond, responsibly and inclusively, to a future that is being fundamentally transformed by AI and quantum innovation?
The answer depends not just on our ability to adapt to rapid technological advances but also on our capacity to collaborate across UN entities, share resources, and embed ethical, inclusive, and forward-thinking strategies into our DNA. As the digital backbone of the UN system, UNICC offers key insights into how we can do this and is purpose-built to meet this challenge and seize the opportunities ahead.
A foundation of digital and data sovereignty
Digital and data sovereignty are foundational for the UN system. In an AI- and quantum-transformed world, data will remain a strategic asset, protected and governed in accordance with the values of the UN Charter. This imperative begins with respecting UN jurisdiction in digital operations; translating this into the cloud era requires architectural and governance choices that ensure digital and data sovereignty.
In this context, the UN system must adopt smart hybrid approaches to cloud computing tailored to bolster sensitive data protection and strengthen business continuity strategies. Just as important, digital solutions should be designed from the start to allow portability between systems and include clear exit strategies to avoid dependency on a single technology provider.
A strong example of how the system can reinforce its digital and data sovereignty position is UNIQCloud, an open-source private cloud developed by UNICC for the most sensitive workloads. Designed specifically for the needs of the UN family, it offers a cloud environment that prioritizes transparency, vendor independence, and maximum security.
Agility and equity through shared infrastructure
Building on a strong foundation of digital and data sovereignty, the UN system must also ensure it can deploy emerging technologies responsibly, equitably, and at scale. Doing so requires shared infrastructure and cooperative models that avoid fragmentation and close the access gap across organizations.
Ensuring equitable access to advanced computing and AI capabilities means enabling all organizations, regardless of size or mandate, to participate fully in the adoption and deployment of emerging technologies. Shared infrastructure, pooled expertise, and interoperable platforms are essential to ensure that no part of the UN system is left behind as the pace of change accelerates.
Securing the future with cyber-resilience
Moreover, emerging technologies bring immense potential, but also new vulnerabilities. As cyberthreats become increasingly sophisticated, especially with the application of AI by malicious actors, cybersecurity must be reimagined as a dynamic, collective responsibility.
As quantum computing advances, so too does the urgency of building resilience into our digital foundations.
For instance, post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) offer a new generation of encryption methods designed to withstand the power of future quantum computers, which is emerging as a key global security concern. UNICC is enabling the UN system to meet this challenge through tailored advisory services, including strategic roadmaps, technical assessments, and scenario-based risk simulations. We are also preparing to offer the first-of-its-kind PQC and QKD solutions to our partners in the near future.
This readiness must be embedded not just in planning, but in how systems and solutions are built. By incorporating quantum-safe encryption from the outset, we help ensure that new systems are built securely, born quantum-ready, not retrofitted after the fact.
Technology foresight
Finally, a responsive UN system cannot afford to react, it must anticipate. Technology foresight is not just a strategic luxury; it is a necessity for navigating a landscape shaped by rapid, often disruptive innovation. It allows organizations to identify signals of change, explore plausible future scenarios, and shape policies, architectures, and investments before external shocks demand reactive adaptation.
For this reason, UNICC’s Strategic Framework positions technology foresight as a core principle, supporting the UN system in exploring the implications of emerging technologies and in designing agile responses.
Leading today for tomorrow
Preparing the UN system for a future shaped by AI and quantum technologies means more than adopting new tools. It requires creating the right conditions to absorb change. We need flexible architectures, tech-neutral governance and policies, and systems that are resilient by design.
A truly responsive UN system is one that can adapt at the pace of innovation, ready not just to keep up but to lead. At UNICC, we are not waiting for the future to arrive. We are actively building the capabilities, infrastructure, and partnerships that the system needs to thrive.