Stanford Responsible Quantum Technology Conference 2023

Stanford, CA – May 22, 2023 – The 21st century is undeniably the Quantum Age, and on May 22, 2023, Stanford University hosted the inaugural Stanford Responsible Quantum Technology Conference at the iconic Paul Brest Hall, Stanford Law School. This landmark annual event, themed "Quantum-ELSPI" for its first iteration, brought together the global quantum community to explore the multifaceted ethical, legal, socio-economic, and policy implications (ELSPI) of this transformative field.

The conference was designed as a unique confluence of quantum physics, law, and art, aiming to discuss informed suggestions on how to balance maximizing the benefits and mitigating the risks of applied quantum technology. It covered state-of-the-art quantum computing, sensing, simulation, communication, materials, and quantum-classical hybrids, all within diverse multidisciplinary settings and taking a pro-innovation stance.

Stanford Responsible Quantum Technology Conference 2023, featuring speakers including Mark Lemley, Urs Gasser, I. Glenn Cohen, Timo Minssen, Eline De Jong, Chris Hoofnagle, and Mauritz Kop

A Day of Interdisciplinary Exploration and Artistic Inspiration

The day was marked by deeply interdisciplinary presentations and an elegant intellectual atmosphere, uniquely punctuated by live musical interludes featuring works by Mozart, Schönberg, and Chopin, and opera arias by Handel, Liszt, and Gounod. Attendees also witnessed interactive quantum physics experiments, including demonstrations of quantum sensing and interferometry, designed to make the counter-intuitive quantum world more accessible.

The program began with Opening Remarks by Mauritz Kop of Stanford University, AIRecht.nl, and Daiki. This set the stage for a day of profound discussions.

The day was marked by deeply interdisciplinary presentations and an elegant intellectual atmosphere.

Understanding the Quantum Revolution

The conference agenda was packed with insights from leading thinkers and practitioners:

Eline De Jong (University of Amsterdam) presented on "Own the Unknown: An Anticipatory Approach to Prepare Society for the Quantum Age," exploring a five-dimensional strategy including demystification, contextualization, engagement, flexible regulation, and international quantum diplomacy to guide societal adaptation to quantum technology.

Elija Perrier (Centre for Quantum Software and Information, University of Technology, Sydney) discussed "The Quantum Governance Stack," articulating an actor-instrument model for quantum governance across various hierarchical levels, emphasizing responsiveness to technological status, resource needs, and impact assessments.

Dr. Thomas Juffmann (University of Vienna) elucidated "Why is Quantum Different? And Why Does This Matter In Metrology and Imaging?", outlining how second-generation quantum technologies harness phenomena like superposition, entanglement, and tunneling for quantum advantage and their relevance for quantum-AI hybrids in fields like drug design and materials science.

The conference agenda was packed with insights from leading thinkers and practitioners, and included musical interludes exeplifying art-inspired science.

Responsible Innovation and Governance

Alexandra Waldherr (Medical University Innsbruck, formerly CERN) shared insights on "Best Practices for Quantum Technology," connecting technical breakthroughs to responsible quantum innovation.

The Panel on Responsible Quantum Technology, moderated by Prof. Hank Greely (Stanford Law School) and featuring Prof. I. Glenn Cohen (Harvard Law School), Eline De Jong, and Prof. Urs Gasser (Technical University of Munich), explored the conceptual framework for responsible QT. This included integrating ELSPI into quantum R&D, the SEA (Safeguarding, Engaging, Advancing) framework, and operationalizing guiding principles, using quantum computing's impact on information security as a case study.

Eline De Jong and Mauritz Kop presented the Exploratory Quantum Technology Assessment (EQTA) Tool, designed to facilitate responsible adoption, lower barriers for startups, and raise awareness about ELSPI dimensions.

Dr. Jeff Welser (IBM Research) delivered a lightning talk on "Envisioning a Responsible, Values-Based Quantum Ecosystem on the Planetary Level," addressing enablers and barriers.

The Panel on Responsible Quantum Technology, moderated by Prof. Hank Greely (Stanford Law School) and featuring Prof. I. Glenn Cohen (Harvard Law School), Eline De Jong, and Prof. Urs Gasser (Technical University of Munich), explored the conceptual framework for responsible QT.

Quantum Applications, IP, and Geopolitics:

Mauritz Kop and Prof. Timo Minssen (University of Copenhagen; University of Cambridge) presented "Theoretical and Empirical Research into Quantum IP and Market Power," analyzing patenting trends and the potential for IP overprotection or underprotection to impact innovation and market competition in quantum computing and other quantum domains.

Prof. Charles Tait Graves (Wilson Sonsini; UC Law San Francisco) gave a lightning talk on "Trade Secrets and Quantum Technology," highlighting their relevance in quantum R&D IP portfolio strategies.

The Panel on Novel Quantum Applications and Use Cases, moderated by Joshua Walker (System.Legal), featured Dr. Charina Chou (Google Quantum AI), Dr. Edward Chow (NASA Ames Research Center), Dr. Florian Neukart (Terra Quantum), and Dr. Grant Salton (Amazon Quantum Solutions Lab), showcasing state-of-the-art quantum applications and near-future systems.

The Panel on Quantum Governance, IP, Fair Competition, and Geopolitical Dynamics, moderated by Prof. Mark Lemley (Stanford Law School) with panelists Prof. Chris C. Demchak (U.S. Naval War College), Prof. Chris C. Hoofnagle (Berkeley Law), Prof. Royal Aubrey Davis III (U.S. Air Force Academy), and Tina Dekker (Borden Ladner Gervais LLP), discussed learning from adjacent fields (AI, semiconductors, nuclear), recent U.S. quantum-related legislative acts, export controls, IP, antitrust, and the need for innovation mechanisms tailored to quantum's unique characteristics.

Timo Minssen, I. Glenn Cohen, Eline De Jong, Mauritz Kop, and Urs Gasser, Stanford University, May 22, 2023

A Convergence of Leading Lights

The conference was distinguished by its stellar international lineup, featuring leading experts from academia, policy, and industry. Esteemed institutions represented included Google Quantum AI, IBM Quantum, Amazon Quantum Solutions Lab, Terra Quantum AG, NASA Ames Research Center and Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Caltech, US Airforce Academy, US Naval War College, Stanford Law School, Harvard Law School (Petrie-Flom Center), UC Berkeley Law, CeBIL (University of Copenhagen; University of Cambridge), University of Amsterdam, University of Vienna, University of Sydney, Medical University Innsbruck, and the Technical University of Munich.

Mauritz Kop treats attendees to a piano impromptu at Stanford Law School.

What Responsible Quantum Technology & Innovation Entails

As attendees experienced, the conference provided an illuminating platform for discussing the state-of-the-art in quantum science, governance tipping points, risk-benefit analyses, intellectual property, societal impact assessments, and the myriad exciting novel use cases being developed. The discussions on what Responsible Quantum Technology & Innovation truly entails in diverse, multidisciplinary, and intergenerational settings were a highlight for all participants.

Mauritz Kop offered closing remarks, and the day concluded with a reception, further fostering the sense of community and shared purpose.

Deep gratitude was extended to all the speakers, moderators, musicians (Ireh Kim, Jin-Hee Catherine Lee, Zoe Logan Schramm, Katie Liu, Daniel Changxiao Sun, and Mauritz Kop), and physicists (Franz Inthisone Pfanner, Daniel Changxiao Sun) who contributed to the success of this inaugural event. Special thanks were also conveyed to Professor Mark Lemley and the team at Stanford Law School for making this memorable conference a reality.

The Stanford Responsible Quantum Technology Conference has set a high bar for future discussions, and the quantum community eagerly anticipates Stanford RQT 2.0.

The Stanford Responsible Quantum Technology Conference 2023 Flyer