Current and Future Directions for Responsible Quantum Technologies: A ResQT Community Perspective

Date

2026-12-01

Author

Schmidt, Adrian
Artaud, Alexandre
Aydınoğlu, Arsev Umur
Bötticher, Astrid
Araiza Bravo, Rodrigo
Chiofalo, Maria Luisa Marilu
Coates, Rebecca
Ercan, Ilke
Grinbaum, Alexei
Haworth, Emily
Ten Holter, Carolyn
de Jong, Eline
Karstens, Bart
Kettemann, Matthias C.
Knörr, Anna
Lee, Clarissa Ai Ling
Marco, Fabienne
Mehnert, Wenzel
Meyer, Josephine C.
Sharma, Shantanu
Vermaas, Pieter
Weidner, Carrie
Wellmann, Barbara
Wolf-Bauwens, Mira L.
Seskir, Zeki C.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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Quantum technologies (QT) are advancing rapidly, promising advancements across a wide spectrum of applications but also raising significant ethical, societal, and geopolitical impacts, including dual-use capabilities, varying levels of access, and impending quantum divide(s). To address these, the Responsible Quantum Technologies (ResQT) community was established to share knowledge, perspectives, and best practices across various disciplines. Its mission is to ensure QT developments align with ethical principles, promote equity, and mitigate unintended consequences. Initial progress has been made, as scholars and policymakers increasingly recognize principles of responsible QT. However, more widespread dissemination is needed, and as QT matures, so must responsible QT. This paper provides a structured, situated synthesis of the ResQT community's current work and identifies future directions from within this community perspective. Drawing on historical lessons from artificial intelligence and nanotechnology, actions targeting the quantum divide(s) are addressed, including the implementation of responsible research and innovation, fostering wider stakeholder engagement, and sustainable development. These actions aim to build trust and engagement, facilitating the participatory and responsible development of QT. The ResQT community advocates that responsible QT should be an integral part of quantum development rather than an afterthought so that quantum technologies evolve toward a future that is technologically advanced and beneficial for all.

Subject Keywords

Ethics, Quantum Divide, Quantum Technologies, Responsible Quantum Technologies, Responsible Research and Innovation, Technology governance

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/120967

Collections

Graduate School of Social Sciences, Article