IBM Invites Mauritz Kop for Lecture on Quantum Ethics
New York, May 17, 2022—The development of quantum technology represents a significant advance in computational capability, with the potential to reshape industries, accelerate scientific discovery, and address complex problems. As with other transformative technologies, its power introduces a range of responsibilities. The relevant questions are not only about the technical capabilities of quantum mechanics, but also about the appropriate uses of the technology.
Reflecting this, IBM, a leading company in the quantum field, convened a seminar on May 17, 2022, for its New York and San Francisco teams to focus on the legal and ethical dimensions of this emerging field. The invited speaker for the event was Mauritz Kop, a visiting scholar at Stanford Law School, who presented his work on establishing a governance framework for quantum technologies to an audience of researchers, engineers, and policymakers.
The event was part of IBM's Tech for Justice initiative, a cross-divisional program dedicated to using technology to address systemic biases and advance social equity. Situating the conversation about quantum ethics within this framework indicates an understanding that principles of fairness, accountability, and transparency should be integrated into new technologies from an early stage.
The session was hosted by Dr. Aminat Adebiyi, a Research Staff Member, Experimentalist, and Maker at IBM, and moderated by Dr. Mira Wolf-Bauwens. Kop's collaboration with Wolf-Bauwens includes their shared work on the World Economic Forum's foundational principles for quantum computing, a project that highlights the role of multi-stakeholder cooperation in this area.
IBM Hosts Foundational Lecture on Quantum Ethics by Mauritz Kop.
The Quantum Vanguard: IBM's Technological Position
To understand the context of the ethical discussion, it is useful to consider the technological landscape. IBM Quantum is one of the leading organizations in quantum computing and has achieved notable milestones in the field. Central to its strategy is the development of universal fault-tolerant quantum computers based on superconducting transmon qubits. This approach, which involves creating and manipulating quantum states in circuits cooled to cryogenic temperatures, has enabled IBM to build increasingly powerful and stable quantum processors.
By making its quantum systems accessible through the cloud, IBM has broadened access to this technology, fostering a global community of researchers and developers. This open approach also increases the importance of establishing shared norms and ethical guardrails. As the hardware becomes more powerful, the potential applications—and misuses—expand.
Charting a Course for Responsible Quantum Development: A Summary of the Lecture
The material presented in the lecture builds upon a body of foundational research by Kop. His work in the Yale Journal of Law & Technology first proposed a comprehensive legal-ethical framework and a set of ten guiding principles for quantum technology. In the Stanford Law School Transatlantic Technology Law Forum, he explored the crucial roles of intellectual property and standardization in fostering sustainable innovation. Furthermore, in Physics World, published by the Institute of Physics, he articulated the necessity of a dedicated field of "quantum ethics," urging the physics community to engage directly with the social and moral implications of their work. Lastly, together with Luciano Floridi at Oxford, Kop conceptualized the Quantum-ELSPI framework as the ethical, legal, social, and policy implications of the suite of quantum technologies. The lecture for IBM synthesized and advanced these core themes.
Kop's lecture, "Legal and Ethical Guidelines for Quantum Technologies," was structured around the thesis that there is a timely opportunity to establish governance for quantum technology. In contrast to the development of the internet or artificial intelligence, where regulation often followed widespread adoption, it is possible to proactively embed democratic values and human rights principles into the architecture of quantum systems.
The core of the IBM quantum presentation focused on four key takeaways:
1. Establishing a Practical Code of Quantum Ethics:
The first step is to move from abstract principles to a concrete, actionable code of conduct for the quantum community. Kop proposed a definition of "quantum ethics" as a field that "calls for humans to act virtuously, abiding by the standards of ethical practice and conduct set by the quantum community, and to make sure these actions have desirable consequences." This definition combines deontological (duty-based) and consequentialist (outcome-based) approaches to create a framework for decision-making in research and development. This requires building bridges between disciplines, enabling physicists, computer scientists, lawyers, ethicists, and policymakers to develop a common language.
2. Designing a Risk-Based Legal-Ethical Framework:
Ethical principles alone can be insufficient; they can be reinforced by an agile, risk-based legal framework. Drawing lessons from the challenges in regulating AI, Kop argued for a system that classifies quantum applications based on their potential risk to individuals and society. High-risk applications, such as those in national security, finance, or critical infrastructure, would be subject to stringent requirements for transparency, oversight, and accountability, potentially enforced by an independent oversight body. Such a framework would need to be dynamic and adaptable, capable of evolving with the technology.
3. Embedding Democratic Values into Quantum Architecture:
A central point of the lecture was the need to ensure that democratic principles such as fairness, privacy, human agency, and due process are integrated into the design of quantum hardware, software, and algorithms. The talk outlined ten guiding principles for quantum technology, which include commitments to uphold human rights, promote fairness and non-discrimination, ensure technological robustness and security, and prevent a quantum arms race. These principles can serve as a guide for developers.
4. Developing Quantum Technology Impact Assessments (QIAs):
To operationalize these principles, Kop proposed the development of a formal Quantum Technology Impact Assessment. A QIA would be a structured process for developers of high-risk quantum systems, requiring them to analyze and document the potential ethical, legal, social, and policy implications of their work. This ex-ante evaluation could serve as a pathway to regulatory conformity, encourage responsible innovation by design, and help build public trust.
Confronting Risks and Addressing the Need for Global Cooperation
A significant portion of the lecture was dedicated to an assessment of the risks associated with quantum technologies. These range from near-term challenges to long-term concerns:
Economic and Social Disruption: A "quantum divide" could increase inequality, creating winner-take-all dynamics for companies and nations that achieve quantum advantage first. The stability of global financial systems, particularly those reliant on current cryptographic standards like blockchain, is also a consideration.
Privacy and Security: A fault-tolerant quantum computer could potentially break the encryption that underpins much of modern digital communication, posing a considerable threat to data privacy, national security, and legal certainty.
Dual-Use Dilemma: Many quantum applications—in sensing, simulation, and optimization—are inherently dual-use, with applications in both civilian and military domains. This creates a risk of a destabilizing quantum arms race and suggests a need for robust export controls and international consensus.
Existential Risk: In the long term, the convergence of quantum computing with advanced AI could lead to recursively self-improving systems whose goals may not align with human values, which constitutes a potential long-term risk.
Interactive Discussion and Call to Action
The lecture was followed by an engaging Q&A session that highlighted the deep commitment of the IBM technical community to responsible innovation. The questions posed by participants explored the practical challenges and nuances of implementing ethical frameworks. Key themes of the discussion included the tangible impact of tech regulation to date, the specific processes needed to assess quantum's potential societal effects, and the distinct yet complementary roles of government and private enterprise in setting and adhering to standards.
Participants were keen to understand how a framework could effectively infuse 'humanism' into every aspect of technology development and how regulation could be used proactively to shape an emerging field for the better. The dialogue also addressed the most significant challenges facing quantum regulation specifically and the strategies required to overcome them.
In closing, Kop issued a direct call to action to the assembled technologists and researchers. He urged the AI and quantum communities at IBM to commit to embedding shared humanistic values—including fundamental rights, democratic principles, and culturally sensitive norms—into the design, architecture, and infrastructure of their systems. This commitment, he stressed, must begin from the very first line of code and extend through both software and hardware development. He concluded by inviting the community to consider and articulate how they would translate this philosophical approach into concrete action within their own work.
Conclusion
Addressing these risks is not the work of a single company or nation. The path forward involves sustained global cooperation to establish harmonized international norms and standards. The ultimate goal could be a binding international agreement, such as a United Nations Treaty on Responsible Quantum Technology, to ensure that this technology is used for the collective benefit of humanity. The seminar at IBM served as a forum for discussing the intellectual and institutional capacity needed to guide quantum technology toward ethically and socially responsible outcomes. The participation of industry leaders like IBM, through initiatives such as Tech for Justice, is a component in the effort to translate these principles into practice.