Nine themes aim to encourage 'positive impact on humanity'

In an attempt to accelerate responsible quantum computing, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has issued a set of guiding principles for the market.

The Quantum Computing Governance Principles provide a framework for stakeholders across different industries and market sectors.

“Assuming that the majority of those involved in developing the technology intend it to have a positive impact on humanity, it is vital to have a set of principles on which key stakeholders such as researchers, developers, users and governments can agree,” states the WEF report.

At the center of the principles are seven core values:

The principles were developed with “quantum science and technology experts, business leaders, social scientists, policy-makers and authorities on emerging technology ethics and law” globally. 

The principles are organized into nine themes, as stated by the World Economic Forum:

Transformative capabilities: Harness the transformative capabilities of this technology and the applications for the good of humanity while managing the risks appropriately.

Access to hardware infrastructure: Ensure wide access to quantum computing hardware.

Open innovation: Encourage collaboration and a precompetitive environment, enabling faster development of the technology and the realization of its applications.

Creating awareness: Ensure the general population and quantum computing stakeholders are aware, engaged and sufficiently informed to enable ongoing responsible dialogue and communication; stakeholders with oversight and authority should be able to make informed decisions about quantum computing in their respective domains.

Workforce development and capability building: Build and sustain a quantum ready workforce.

Cybersecurity: Ensure the transition to a quantum-secure digital world.

Privacy: Mitigate potential data-privacy violations through theft and processing by quantum computers.

Standardization: Promote standards and road-mapping mechanisms to accelerate the development of the technology.

Sustainability: Develop a sustainable future with and for quantum computing technology

The next step is for the governance workstream of the World Economic Forum’s Quantum Computing Network to work with stakeholders to adopt the principles.