Fortune Publication: How to Prevent Quantum-A.I. Hybrids from Taking Over the World
Palo Alto, May 16, 2023—We are delighted to share our new Fortune piece titled "How to prevent quantum-A.I. hybrids from taking over the world," that showcases our Stanford-led research on Responsible Quantum Technology! The 21st century is rapidly becoming the Quantum Age. While the full realization of general-purpose quantum computers is still on the horizon, the emergence of hybrid systems that combine quantum phenomena with classical hardware is already a reality, making its way into both domestic and international markets. This convergence of quantum technology and artificial intelligence (AI) promises to unlock unprecedented advancements across various fields, but it also presents a host of complex geopolitical and grand strategy challenges that demand our immediate attention. As we stand on the precipice of this technological revolution, it is imperative that we proceed with a strong sense of responsibility, ensuring that these powerful tools are developed and deployed in a manner that aligns with our most cherished societal values.
Fortune Publication: How to Prevent Quantum-A.I. Hybrids from Taking Over the World by Mauritz Kop & Vivek Wadhwa.
Critical Quantum Insights for a Business Audience
The article, "How to prevent quantum-A.I. hybrids from taking over the world," published in Fortune on May 16, 2023, delves into the profound implications of this technological convergence, offering critical quantum insights for a business audience. It highlights the stark contrast between the development of quantum technology (QT) in liberal democracies, where adherence to fundamental human rights and democratic values is paramount, and its potential applications in autocratic regimes that may wield it for more nefarious purposes. The piece underscores the existential importance of international collaboration, not only on pressing global issues like climate change and inequality but also in the race for technological dominance, where the preservation of freedom and democratic principles hangs in the balance. As quantum-AI hybrids become increasingly prevalent, the authors argue that business and government leaders must engage with experts and the public to establish robust ethical standards, accountability mechanisms, and responsible technology frameworks to actively foster a competitive, values-based quantum-AI ecosystem.
In 2022, Kop & Wahdwa wrote a Foreign Policy paper titled ‘Why Quantum Computing Is Even More Dangerous Than Artificial Intelligence’, see: https://airecht.nl/blog/2022/why-quantum-computing-is-even-more-dangerous-than-artificial-intelligence-foreign-policy
The Dawn of the Quantum-AI Era: Navigating Opportunities and Risks
At the heart of this discourse is the recognition that any major technological advance inevitably raises critical questions of justice, benefit, and risk. The sheer scale and rapid pace of QT-enabled advancements, coupled with their counterintuitive nature, make these considerations all the more urgent. The potential applications are vast and transformative, ranging from quantum chemistry and drug design to logistical optimization and clean energy. However, the threats are equally significant, with the most widely understood being the imminent danger that quantum computing poses to our current cybersecurity infrastructure and data privacy.
In response to these challenges, a global conversation is underway among stakeholders to find a delicate balance between harnessing the benefits of QT and mitigating its risks. Many are turning to the established principles of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), which emphasize the importance of responsiveness, inclusivity, reflexivity, and anticipation. RRI posits that scientific and technological breakthroughs should be guided not only by scientific brilliance and economic incentives but also by social norms, ethical values, environmental sustainability, and public engagement. This approach encourages the integration of societal concerns throughout the entire innovation lifecycle, from the initial stages of research and development to the eventual distribution and use of new technologies.
A Framework for Responsible Quantum Innovation: The RQT Approach
Building upon this foundation, a Stanford-led interdisciplinary research group, comprising scholars from law, data science, theoretical physics, philosophy, ethics, social sciences, materials science, and innovation policy, has conceptualized a novel framework known as Responsible Quantum Technology (RQT). This framework, published at Harvard and Stanford, is designed to proactively steward the development of QT toward equitable outcomes, mitigate potential risks, and foster an interdisciplinary approach to research and development. RQT embeds the key principles of RRI alongside a comprehensive consideration of the ethical, legal, socio-economic, and policy implications, collectively referred to as Quantum-ELSPI. The ultimate goal of RQT is to ensure that research and innovation efforts are aligned with societal expectations and contribute to the enhancement of planetary welfare.
The RQT framework offers policymakers a valuable tool for designing timely and effective regulatory interventions that can promote responsible quantum innovation while safeguarding the rights and safety of citizens. This is a crucial opportunity to learn from the past, where the regulation of other transformative technologies like AI and nanotechnology often lagged behind their development. Any new norms, standards, and regulations must be firmly rooted in a liberal-democratic vision of a free world, with a strong foundation in civil liberties, human rights, and the rule of law.
10 Principles for Responsible Quantum Innovation and the Collingridge Dilemma
To operationalize the RQT framework, the research group has further developed 10 Principles for Responsible Quantum Innovation. These principles provide a practical guide for stakeholders to navigate the complex landscape of quantum R&D, with the ultimate aim of safeguarding, engaging, and advancing quantum technologies, society, and humankind. By employing tools of technology-impact assessment and utilizing appropriate RQT benchmarking metrics, we can monitor, validate, and audit quantum applications throughout their lifecycle. This proactive approach, which complements traditional legal frameworks and certification processes, can help us anticipate and address potential problems before they arise.
The timing of such interventions is a critical challenge, often referred to as the "Collingridge dilemma." This dilemma highlights the difficulty of striking the right balance in regulating a new technology, as it is often too early to fully understand its societal impact in the initial stages of development, and too late to effectively steer its trajectory once it has become widely adopted. The key to overcoming this challenge is to stay ahead of the game, fostering a thriving, values-based quantum ecosystem. This requires a "triple helix" of collaboration between industry, academia, and government, with a focus on public-private partnerships, training the next generation of the quantum workforce, and enabling a vibrant quantum-AI ecosystem that can produce strong national champions while remaining committed to sustainable development goals.
Learning from Nuclear Governance
The history of the nuclear industry serves as a powerful reminder that the mere existence of a technical possibility does not automatically justify its pursuit. As we embark on this new quantum technology governance cycle, the lessons learned from nuclear governance—both its successes and failures—provide an invaluable blueprint. Both the nuclear and quantum realms are fraught with immense promise and peril, often intersecting with geopolitical uncertainty and macroeconomic unpredictability. The countless industrial catastrophes of the past have taught us that we must move beyond reductionist risk-assessment tools, which are ill-equipped to handle the emergent properties of complex systems. Instead, we must embrace modern system-safety engineering approaches that can provide a more holistic and comprehensive understanding of the risks involved.
The authors of the Fortune article: Mauritz Kop and Vivek Wadhwa
The authors of the Fortune article, Mauritz Kop and Vivek Wadhwa, are both distinguished figures in their respective fields. Mauritz Kop is a fellow and visiting 'quantum and law' scholar at Stanford University, the director at AIRecht.nl, and the general counsel at Daiki, a company committed to building a trustworthy AI future. His work focuses on the legal, ethical, and societal implications of emerging technologies. Vivek Wadhwa is a renowned academic, entrepreneur, and author. His book, "From Incremental to Exponential," explores how large companies can anticipate the future and rethink their approach to innovation. Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to this critical conversation.
Ultimately, the path forward lies in embracing a culture of openness, trust, and mutual understanding. By adopting a multidisciplinary, embedded approach to responsible quantum technology, we can unlock significant competitive advantages and foster a capacity for exponential innovation. This will enable us to actively navigate toward beneficial societal outcomes on a planetary scale, with our eyes wide open to both the incredible opportunities and the profound challenges that lie ahead. The convergence of quantum and AI is not a future we should fear, but one that we must shape with wisdom, foresight, and a shared commitment to the betterment of all humankind.