While quantum sensors have been used in healthcare for a long time, new quantum technologies, such as computing and communication, are promised to advance the field in different ways. With the technologies still emerging, questions are being raised about their impact, who will benefit, and what unintended consequences may arise. This study, therefore, explores how quantum researchers and clinical physicians perceive the future of quantum technologies in healthcare using the concept of vanguard visions. 27 semi-structured interviews uncovered four prominent perspectives, that offered cautiously optimistic visions of the technologies’ feasibility. The vanguards highlight the importance of effective science communication to mitigate hype, to pinpoint use cases where quantum provides real benefits over classical systems, and to foster ecosystems that are driven by cross-disciplinary collaboration to ensure more holistic developments. Stakeholders emphasize the wish for public infrastructure and joint developments to avoid monopolies and guarantee fair access to healthcare.
While quantum sensors have been used in healthcare for a long time, new quantum technologies, such as computing and communication, are promised to advance the field in different ways. With the technologies still emerging, questions are being raised about their impact, who will benefit, and what unintended consequences may arise. This study, therefore, explores how quantum researchers and clinical physicians perceive the future of quantum technologies in healthcare using the concept of vanguard visions. 27 semi-structured interviews uncovered four prominent perspectives, that offered cautiously optimistic visions of the technologies’ feasibility. The vanguards highlight the importance of effective science communication to mitigate hype, to pinpoint use cases where quantum provides real benefits over classical systems, and to foster ecosystems that are driven by cross-disciplinary collaboration to ensure more holistic developments. Stakeholders emphasize the wish for public infrastructure and joint developments to avoid monopolies and guarantee fair access to healthcare.
Although quantum technologies are promised to have the potential to revolutionize healthcare, disruptive innovations can only be advantageous to healthcare organizations if users are aware of the affordances they provide. However, there’s a lack of empirical evidence showing how these technologies are envisioned. This study investigates sociotechnical imaginaries about quantum technologies in healthcare through 10 interviews with scientists and healthcare professionals. While quantum sensing shows promise for near-term diagnostic enhancements, quantum computing applications like drug discovery face substantial technical challenges. Stakeholders envision quantum computing primarily as a back-end research tool rather than a direct clinical breakthrough. Key concerns include potential monopolization by tech giants and questions of equitable access. Concerns have been raised by interviewees that expectations may not be aligned with actual progress, which could potentially result in a "quantum winter". This has led to a discussion about the tension between generating hype and maintaining responsible communication. To align the advancement of quantum technology with the greater good of society, the results of the study highlight the necessity of governance models that guarantee openness, public infrastructure, and interdisciplinary cooperation. It is therefore vital to facilitate a more effective bridge between the potential of quantum technology and its real-world application in medical settings.
Quantum technologies are rapidly transforming healthcare by offering capabilities beyond classical systems across sensing, materials, and communication. Traditional quantum sensors like SQUIDs provide high sensitivity but require cryogenic cooling and fixed infrastructure, while newer platforms such as optically pumped magnetometers, NVdiamond sensors, and ultra-low-field MRI deliver portable, cryogen-free, high-resolution solutions suitable for point-of-care use. In quantum materials, toxicity concerns with cadmium-based quantum dots have accelerated the development of safer, biocompatible alternatives including carbon quantum dots, indium nanocrystals, and doped semiconductor materials, which retain strong optical performance for in vivo imaging.nwhile, the rise of quantum computing challenges classical healthcare cybersecurity, making quantum key distribution and post-quantum cryptography essential for securing medical networks and IoMT devices. For all hurdles such as hardware immaturity and regulatory gaps, emerging quantum technologies offer clear benefits in precision, scalability, safety, and data security, positioning them as fundamental elements of future healthcare systems.
Quantum computing uses fundamentally different ways of information processing compared to traditional computing systems such as the use of qubits (quantum bits) and the quantum properties of subatomic particles such as interference, entanglement and superposition to extend the computational capabilities to hitherto unprecedented levels. Although quantum computing systems promise to provide exponential performance benefits in processing, the field is still in an embryonic phase with active ongoing research and development. The efficacy of quantum computing for important verticals such as healthcare—where quantum computing can enable important breakthroughs such as developing drugs, quick DNA sequencing, processing big healthcare data, and performing other compute-intensive tasks—is not yet fully explored. Keeping in view, this article explores this area and analyzes the potential of quantum computing for healthcare systems. We explore various dimensions within healthcare ecosystem where quantum computing could introduce new possibilities through higher computational speed to perform complex healthcare computations. Implementations of quantum computing in the healthcare scenarios have their own unique set of requirements. And therefore, we not only identify those key elements but also present a taxonomy of existing literature around quantum-based healthcare ecosystem, distinguishing cryptography in classical vs modern era along the way. Finally, we explore current challenges, their causes, and future research directions in implementing quantum computing systems in healthcare.
Abstract Quantum technologies have profoundly shaped surveillance practices, embedding themselves into the critical infrastructure of the information age. This article explores the historical trajectory of quantum technologies, emphasizing their omnipresence and influence on surveillance technologies and surveillance practices and arguing for communicating the distinctions as being from two eras. This is based on more foundational Quantum 1.0 era technologies which has implications for the transformative potential of Quantum 2.0. By examining quantum-enabled advancements in computing, sensing, and communication, we highlight how developments in quantum will lead to a deepening and disruption of surveillance capabilities, as well as the ethical and societal challenges these technologies pose. We argue for a non-deterministic approach to understanding quantum developments, advocating for early engagement and value-sensitive design to mitigate harms and foster socially responsible futures. Furthermore, interdisciplinary collaboration is necessary to address potential quantum divides and rethink surveillance concepts. Ultimately, this work contributes to a broader understanding of emerging quantum technologies in fields of humanities and social sciences and comments on their potential to shape our surveillance (technology) futures.
The Quantum Internet of Things (QIoT) in the healthcare industry holds the promise of transforming patient care, diagnostics, and medical research. Quantum-enhanced sensors, communication, and computation offer unprecedented capabilities that can revolutionize how healthcare services are delivered and experienced. This article explores the potential of QIoT in the context of smart healthcare, where interconnected quantum-enabled devices and systems create an ecosystem that enhances data security, enables real-time monitoring, and advances medical knowledge. We delve into the applications of quantum sensors in precise health monitoring, the role of quantum communication in secure telemedicine, and the computational power of quantum computing in drug discovery and personalized medicine. We discuss challenges such as technical feasibility, scalability, and regulatory considerations, along with the emerging trends and opportunities in this transformative field. By examining the intersection of quantum technologies and smart healthcare, this article aims to shed light on the novel approaches and breakthroughs that could redefine the future of healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
Quantum technologies have emerged as critical enablers of next-generation communication, computation, and sensing systems. This review aims to assess the current state of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and related quantum technologies by examining recent empirical findings, methodological innovations, and systemic challenges. A structured literature search was conducted across Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar using Boolean keyword combinations targeting QKD, quantum sensing, and communication applications. The review focused on peer-reviewed articles from the last five years and included experimental studies, simulations, and applied case analyses. Findings show that QKD has demonstrated remarkable reliability in both controlled laboratory and real-world settings. Studies on multicore fiber networks highlight the potential for high-dimensional communication security, while comparative analyses reveal disparities between implementation strategies across different regions. However, systemic challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, inconsistent regulation, and insufficient public understanding hinder wide-scale adoption. The discussion identifies critical factors contributing to these challenges and proposes actionable policy recommendations, including increased investment in infrastructure, standardized regulations, and targeted education programs. This review concludes that achieving the full potential of quantum technologies will require integrative strategies addressing technical, institutional, and social dimensions. Future research should emphasize longitudinal evaluation and interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance scalability and impact. The insights offered here provide a foundational framework for policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders to advance the adoption of secure, scalable quantum systems.