Ethics of Quantum Technologies

Quantum technologies are typically presented as enigma because of the unintelligibility of the quantum mechanical phenomena that make these technologies possible. For enabling the understanding and participation of stakeholders, research is done on quantum mechanics in quantum technologies by interpretations of quantum mechanics.

2. Exploration of the societal impact

We have a limited understanding of the societal impact of quantum technologies because the search for applications of these technologies is still in an early phase. For enabling ethical reflection on this impact, proactive exploring of applications and impact is done with tools from design thinking, STS, and systems engineering.

Ethical debates and debates about responsibility emerge from the intertwining of scientific expectations or projections and their possible social meanings. Meanings can be considered a form of intervention; while they do not necessarily fix the meaning of the technology under discussion, they can still have real impact on how debates are carried out. This research line engages with ‘meaning making’ in the early stages of quantum technology development with respect to insights from applied ethics and science and technology studies.

Standard methods for stakeholder involvement in the development of technologies such as Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) and Design for Values assume transparency about quantum technologies. The development of these technologies has however become opaque by the early involvement of big tech in the development and the increasing influence of geopolitics and defence. Research is done on adjusting RRI and Design for Values to this opacity.

Were originally aims for the development of quantum technologies were originally economic growth and national sovereignty there is a growing interest to guide this development to the good of humanity, such as realising the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), social justice and avoiding global quantum divides. Research is done on these and other meanings of the good.

The development of quantum technologies is increasingly approaches as a development of ecosystems for quantum technologies consisting of research institutes, start-ups, companies, governmental organisations and societal stakeholders. Research is done about how ethical questions about quantum technologies change with this ecosystems approach.