The time is now to apply responsible quantum innovation

Quantum technologies are changing our world.  

Research at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) alone has delivered quantum computing devices that can simulate quarks, a satellite that will soon send a quantum encrypted connection from Earth to space, and quantum sensors that can detect signals as faint as one unit of light. 

Inspired by the late Dr. Ray Laflamme, founding executive director of IQC, a group of young quantum researchers are also looking beyond how quantum science and technology will impact society. They are asking: “How will it be used responsibly?”  

Stakes are high to get it right 

Their research has looked at different quantum strategies globally and measured how Canada compares within the context of a responsible quantum innovation framework, which was co-developed by Laflamme. They identified gaps and strengths in Canada's National Quantum Strategy and proposed ways to fill those gaps.  

Katya Driscoll

The group’s paper on the topic was recently published in Physics in Canada, the magazine of the Canadian Association of Physicists.  

Connecting a new generation of researchers  

Dr. Ray Laflamme passed away last year in June, before the paper was published. The four researchers say his enthusiasm continues to inspire their work and motivate them to bring this issue to the forefront of the scientific community. 

It was Laflamme who connected the group — all working in different areas of research and at different points in their careers. But through this work, they found common ground to develop a shared language for how quantum technologies can be developed and deployed responsibly. 

“Being a very established physicist and one of the giants in the field, Ray didn’t just focus on the science,” says Ria Chakraborty, IQC master’s student in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. “He did his best to uplift scientists who are interested in this, and he gave us a platform.” 

(L-R) Rodolfo Reis Soldati, Bruna Shinohara de Mendonça and Ria Chakraborty

Chakraborty became interested in post-quantum cryptography and its potential for global impact and worked with Laflamme to learn more about that challenge. 

“It’s a security and interoperability concern where we want to make sure systems have updated cryptography and that they are compatible globally,” Chakraborty says. “Countries are setting deadlines for quantum-safe systems. There is a rush for this.”  

Prior to her work on this paper, Bruna Shinohara de Mendonça, Staff Scientist at CMC Microsystems, researched the interoperability gap between the Global North and South and saw the risks of how easily bad science can be translated to Portuguese, which can spread misinformation about quantum science and technology. 

“The main issue with the Global South is we won’t have enough quantum talent, funding or political power to foster a quantum environment to keep up with post-quantum cryptography, policy, and necessary restructuring of whole systems,” she says. “Disparities is a much more difficult conversation because it’s not as shiny and cool as a quantum computer. It’s almost like an investment without an obvious return and much more difficult to advocate for.” 

AI trends reveal warning signs but still early enough for quantum tech  

The current conversation around the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) demonstrates the importance of responsible innovation.  

The group said it’s already apparent what can happen when conversations around responsible use of technology start too late. Now is a crucial point in quantum technology development to hopefully avoid ethical quagmires in the future.  

“With AI we waited until after the technology was deployed,” Chakraborty says. “We have large language models that the public is using, and now we are thinking of policy, ethics and standards. Quantum technology is going to affect all sectors, and I think we can avoid a lot of the worst-case scenarios if we start having these conversations now, as we are still in earlier days, and we can get this right.”  

Shinohara de Mendonça notes that the work in this paper highlights the opportunities to act now, rather than scrambling to catch up when the technology becomes more mature.   

“Scientists and policymakers have a lot of agency and we can discuss these things because of the level-readiness of the quantum technologies — many are not fully developed yet,” she says. “We are at the time to go forward, open up the discussion for the general public and make scientists think about this.”  

(L-R) Rodolfo Reis Soldati and Bruna Shinohara de Mendonça

Rodolfo Reis Soldati, Postdoctoral Researcher at IQC, says there doesn’t tend to be a focus on responsible quantum innovation, even informally. But it’s important for the people who are making big discoveries to discuss the impacts of their discoveries and end products. 

“You see big names in the field and groups making big discoveries, the amount of impact they have on the research community, and how much it trickles down to final product that will eventually influence society, but responsible innovation isn’t discussed as much,” he says. “Even on a strict technical and research level I’m always thinking about how to relate to responsible innovation—it has changed the way I do my job.  

Driscoll and Soldati believe that responsible innovation must be a priority for scientists and how they do their work.  

“Responsible innovation encourages me to look beyond the purely technical aspects of my research,” Driscoll says. “It invites me to think about potential risks and limitations in how my work might be used or applied. In many ways, contemplating these real-world impacts feels like a natural extension of what many scientists already do when we factor in realistic conditions like noise or limited resources into our research. Responsible innovation is a part of how I approach my work from the start.”