This chapter explores whether quantum computing presents fundamentally new ethical challenges or whether its dilemmas can be addressed by adapting existing ethical frameworks from classical computing. Drawing on a thematic review of the emerging literature in quantum computing ethics, we focus on key concerns three domains: security, justice, and governance. By comparing these to historical case studies from classical computing ethics and introducing the concept of "layer shifts" across technology stacks, we argue that quantum computing ethics does not require a wholesale ethical reinvention but rather a careful translation of established principles to new technical contexts. This comparative analysis highlights the enduring relevance of openness, transparency, and distributed governance while acknowledging areas where quantumspecific developments may demand novel approaches.
This chapter explores whether quantum computing presents fundamentally new ethical challenges or whether its dilemmas can be addressed by adapting existing ethical frameworks from classical computing. Drawing on a thematic review of the emerging literature in quantum computing ethics, we focus on key concerns three domains: security, justice, and governance. By comparing these to historical case studies from classical computing ethics and introducing the concept of "layer shifts" across technology stacks, we argue that quantum computing ethics does not require a wholesale ethical reinvention but rather a careful translation of established principles to new technical contexts. This comparative analysis highlights the enduring relevance of openness, transparency, and distributed governance while acknowledging areas where quantumspecific developments may demand novel approaches.
This book chapter explores the transformative impact of quantum innovations on the digital frontier. Focusing on key areas such as quantum computing, communication, and sensing, the chapter examines how these advancements are reshaping traditional paradigms. From breakthroughs in quantum algorithms to secure quantum communication methods, and precision-enhancing quantum sensing technologies, the chapter delves into the forefront of cutting-edge developments. Moreover, it critically addresses the challenges and ethical considerations accompanying the integration of quantum technologies into the digital landscape, emphasizing the need for responsible governance and ethical frameworks. Through a concise yet comprehensive analysis, the chapter aims to contribute to the understanding of how quantum innovations are not only pushing the boundaries of technology but also prompting crucial discussions on ethical, societal, and governance aspects.
Quantum information technologies, covering quantum computing, quantum communication and quantum sensing, are among the most significant technologies to emerge in recent decades, offering the promise of paradigm-shifting computational capacity with significant ethical consequences. On a technical level, the unique features of quantum information processing have potential consequences for the imposition of fairness and ethical constraints on computation. Despite their significance, structured research is only beginning to be undertaken into the ethical implications of such quantum technologies, much of it piecemeal and unsystematic. In this work, we present a roadmap for prospective research programs focused upon the ethics of quantum computing. We summarize the key elements of quantum information processing (concentrating on quantum computation) relevant to ethical analysis and set out taxonomies for use by researchers considering the ethics of quantum technologies. We show how the unique features of quantum information processing may give rise to distinct ethical consequences (including in the context of machine learning). We situate quantum ethics at the cross-disciplinary intersection of quantum information science, technology ethics and moral philosophy to assess the impacts of this newly emerging technology. We provide specific examples of how the emergence of quantum technologies gives rise to normative and distributional ethical challenges. To this end, we propose a three-pillar research roadmap spanning technical foundations, governance and stakeholder responsibility, and risk management. Central to this approach is the need to integrate ethical constraints within the design and control of quantum systems, reflecting the close relationship between normative reasoning and physical implementation. We further introduce the “four C’s” (computability, complexity, consistency, and controllability) as a framework for assessing the feasibility of ethically constrained quantum computation, and illustrate how quantum technologies reshape established domains such as fair machine learning, privacy, and cryptography. Finally, we set out prospective research directions to help contribute to the development of the field. By integrating quantum information science with ethical theory and governance, this chapter provides a foundation for interdisciplinary research in quantum ethics.
Thematic Area: widening access and inclusion From Schrödinger’s Box to Global Fairness: Ethical Dilemmas in Quantum Computing Abstract: Workshop application In the near future, quantum computing may fundamentally reshape our world: problems that once took years to solve could be unraveled in seconds. Yet access to quantum computing remains scarce, costly, and concentrated in the hands of a few corporations and research alliances. This workshop addresses a central ethical question: who should have access to this emerging resource—and on what moral grounds? We conceptualize quantum computing time as an emergent epistemic good (based on the ideas of Miranda Fricker) within a hybrid landscape: while most computations will continue to rely on classical resources, certain problems will increasingly demand quantum capacity. This hybridity raises questions of fairness, since epistemic advantage will depend not only on technical skill but also on access to scarce quantum infrastructures. Drawing on five perspectives—from medical research and climate modeling to cybersecurity, innovation in the private sector, and global poverty reduction—we explore how existential risks, individual interests, and the common good might be reconciled. As a thought experiment, a fictional global ethics council evaluates competing claims, highlighting the need for justice, inclusion, and ethical foresight in shaping access. Key questions include: What moral obligations arise from treating QC capacity as an epistemic good? How should access be widened to include marginalized communities, the Global South, and underfunded institutions? What principles of fairness and inclusion should guide the governance of this resource before inequalities become entrenched? The goal of the workshop is to collaboratively define ethical principles for allocating quantum computing resources in a hybrid future and to develop recommendations for inclusion policies within quantum education ecosystems—opening Schrödinger’s box not to unleash chaos, but to ensure that quantum futures are guided by ethical insight and shared responsibility. Keywords Quantum education, epistemic goods, access & inclusion, hybrid infrastructures, ethics, global justice
Quantum computing is emerging as a transformative general-purpose technology with the potential to redefine entrepreneurial innovation across data-intensive and optimization-driven industries. By exploiting quantum mechanical principles such as superposition, entanglement, and quantum parallelism, quantum computers offer new computational capabilities that may surpass classical systems in solving complex problems. This paper examines quantum computing as a catalyst for entrepreneurial innovation, focusing on the strategic opportunities, market disruptions, and ethical challenges associated with quantum-enabled business models in finance, supply chain optimization, and healthcare startups. Through a cross-sectoral analysis, the study explores how startups can leverage hybrid quantum–classical approaches to accelerate decision-making, enhance predictive accuracy, and unlock novel value propositions. At the same time, it addresses critical concerns related to technological uncertainty, unequal access, data security, and responsible innovation. The paper argues that while quantum computing presents significant disruptive potential, its sustainable integration into entrepreneurial ecosystems requires strategic foresight and ethical governance frameworks alongside technological adoption.
Quantum information technologies, covering quantum computing, quantum communication and quantum sensing, are among the most significant technologies to emerge in recent decades, offering the promise of paradigm-shifting computational capacity with significant ethical consequences. On a technical level, the unique features of quantum information processing have consequences for the imposition of fairness and ethical constraints on computation. Despite its significance, little if no structured research has been undertaken into the ethical implications of such quantum technologies. In this paper, we fill this gap in the literature by presenting a roadmap for ethical quantum computing (and quantum information processing more generally) that sets out prospective research programmes. We summarise the key elements of quantum information processing (focusing on quantum computation) relevant to ethical analysis and set-out taxonomies for use by researchers considering the ethics of quantum technologies. In particular, we demonstrate how the unique features of quantum information processing gives rise to distinct ethical consequences (including in the context of machine learning). We situate quantum ethics at the cross-disciplinary intersection of quantum information science, technology ethics and moral philosophy to assess the impacts of this newly emerging technology. We provide specific examples of how the emergence of quantum technologies gives rise to normative and distributional ethical challenges. Finally, we set out prospective research directions to help inaugurate the cross-disciplinary field of the ethics of quantum computing.
The rapid development of quantum computing is one of the most transformative technological developments of the twenty-first century with profound implications for cybersecurity, digital governance and the future of secure communication systems. Traditional cryptographic infrastructures have fundamentally underpinned digital trust in banking, healthcare, defense, cloud computing, and global communication networks, but the advent of quantum computational power has led to increasing concern about the future of existing standards for encryption. This qualitative study critically examines the changing relationship between quantum computing and post-quantum cryptography through an analysis of the technological, institutional, ethical and governance challenges in the transition to quantum-secure digital systems. The study adopts an interpretivist and exploratory qualitative orientation that aims to understand how governments, cybersecurity experts, technology institutions and policy frameworks are responding to the disruptive potential of quantum technologies. Data were collected using thematic analysis of academic literature, cybersecurity policy documents, archival technological reviews, expert commentaries, institutional reports, and emerging case studies related to the development of quantum-resistant cryptography. The results show that quantum computing presents serious threats to existing public-key cryptographic systems, especially in terms of theoretical abilities of Shor’s algorithm and future quantum decryption models. Meanwhile, the paper outlines post-quantum cryptography as a vital avenue for safeguarding digital privacy, institutional credibility, and cybersecurity robustness in an ever more networked society. The analysis also points to ongoing challenges around technological readiness, regulatory uncertainty, global standardization, resource inequality and ethical issues around surveillance, privacy and digital sovereignty. Yet, the research points to the potential for secure digital transformation, resilient cybersecurity governance, and the re-inventing of future communication infrastructure through post-quantum innovation. The research finds that the transition to quantum-secure systems is not just a technological challenge, but a multidimensional governance and policy challenge requiring international cooperation, ethical foresight and proactive institutional change.