Panel 2: Responsible Quantum Technology

This RQT panel is moderated by Professor Hank Greely and explores what Responsible Quantum Technology amounts to.

The expected societal impact of quantum technologies (QT) urges us to proceed and innovate responsibly. This panel discusses a recent article that proposes a conceptual framework for responsible QT that seeks to integrate considerations about ethical, legal, social, and policy implications (ELSPI) into quantum R&D using an anticipatory approach, while responding to the Responsible Research and Innovation dimensions of anticipation, inclusion, reflection and responsiveness. Quantum innovation should be guided by a methodological framework for responsible QT, aimed at jointly safeguarding against risks by proactively addressing them, engaging stakeholders in the innovation process, and continue advancing QT (‘SEA’). The panel discusses how one can operationalize the SEA-framework by establishing quantum-specific guiding principles. The impact of quantum computing on information security is used as a case study to illustrate (1) the need for a framework that guides responsible QT, and (2) the usefulness of the SEA-framework for QT generally.

Additionally, the panel examines how the proposed SEA-framework for responsible innovation can inform the emergent regulatory landscape affecting QT, and discusses how regulatory interventions for QT as base-layer technology could be designed, contextualized, and tailored to their exceptional nature in order to reduce the risk of unintended counterproductive effects of policy interventions.