Hoover Institution Invites Mauritz Kop to Speak on Quantum, Democracy and Authoriarianism

Professor Mauritz Kop Addresses Quantum Technology's Role in the Era of Digital Repression at Hoover Institution Workshop

Palo Alto, CA – April 22, 2024 – Professor Mauritz Kop, Founding Director of the Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technology (RQT), delivered insightful opening remarks at a breakout session on Quantum Technology as part of the two-day closed door workshop, "Getting Ahead of Digital Repression: Authoritarian Innovation and Democratic Response." The workshop, held on April 22-23, 2024, at Hoover Institution, Stanford University, was a collaborative effort by the National Endowment for Democracy’s International Forum for Democratic Studies, Stanford University’s Global Digital Policy Incubator, and the Hoover Institution’s China’s Global Sharp Power Project.

Hoover Institution Invites Professor Mauritz Kop to Speak on Quantum, Democracy and Authoriarianism

The event convened leading researchers and advocates to map how digital authoritarians are innovating globally and to identify new strategies for ongoing knowledge-sharing and cooperation to confront this deepening challenge. The agenda focused on understanding how autocrats leverage emerging technologies—from AI and digital currencies to quantum technology—for social control, censorship, and to export their governance models.

Professor Kop's Session: Quantum Technology – Navigating Promises and Perils

In his scene-setting remarks for the breakout session "Quantum Technology," moderated by Glenn Tiffert of the Hoover Institution, Professor Kop provided a concise overview of the diverse field of quantum technologies and then delved into its profound implications for human rights, democratic norms, and the global struggle against digital authoritarianism.

Key themes from Professor Kop’s presentation included:

Understanding Quantum Technologies: He began by clarifying the "Addams family" of quantum technologies, emphasizing that it encompasses more than just quantum computing—often visualized by its "frozen, golden chandeliers." The suite includes quantum sensing, simulation, networking, quantum/AI hybrids, cryptology, metrology, and fundamental quantum science. These technologies harness counterintuitive quantum mechanical effects like superposition, entanglement, and tunneling at the subatomic level, promising to transform industries like finance, healthcare, defense, and energy.

The Dual-Use Dilemma and Human Rights Risks: Professor Kop highlighted that quantum technology is inherently dual-use, offering enormous benefits but also significant risks. He stressed the urgency of preventing mistakes seen with AI, genetics, and nuclear technologies, such as algorithmic bias and the undermining of democratic institutions. Specific human rights risks associated with quantum advancements include threats to fundamental freedoms, privacy, data security (especially with "Q-Day" when quantum computers could break current encryption), and even human identity.

Authoritarian Exploitation and the "Beijing Effect": A core concern raised was the potential for authoritarian regimes, particularly China with its lead in quantum networking, to export their values and systems of digital repression through these advanced technologies. This contributes to what Professor Kop’s broader research describes as a potential "Beijing effect," where state-aligned standards and technologies embedded with autocratic norms could fragment global interoperability.

A Call for a Democratic, Values-Based Response: Professor Kop argued that the democratic world must unite its AI and quantum talent and capacity to set the "rules of the road" for these technologies, embedding democratic ideals and values. He outlined six crucial actions for the free world:

1. Form a strategic democratic tech alliance among like-minded nations.

2. Attract and retain top global talent to win the race for quantum advantage.

3. Embed fundamental rights and freedoms into the design and infrastructure of quantum technologies and Quantum AI, utilizing frameworks like the Stanford RQT model.

4. Protect intellectual property (IP) from theft and abuse through harmonized export controls that don't unduly hamper global supply chains.

5. Prepare for the post-quantum cryptographic era by migrating to QKD and PQC solutions, as per recent U.S. Presidential Orders.

6. Invest heavily in a "Made in America" (and democratic allies) quantum ecosystem based on shared values, promoting prosperity and exporting responsible models, including through strategic recoupling with China where appropriate, for example on fundamental quantum research in academia.

Responsible Quantum Technology (RQT): He introduced the Stanford-led RQT framework, which integrates Ethical, Legal, Social, and Policy Implications (Quantum-ELSPI) with the dimensions of Responsible Research and Innovation (anticipation, inclusion, reflection, responsiveness). This was further operationalized through the "10 Principles for Responsible Quantum Innovation," categorized into Safeguarding, Engaging, and Advancing (SEA) quantum technologies, society, and humankind. These principles advocate for considering information security, anticipating malicious uses, fostering international collaboration based on shared values, and explicitly linking quantum R&D to desirable social goals.

The Role of the Stanford Center for RQT: Professor Kop highlighted the mission of the newly established Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technology, which aims to influence the emerging quantum technology governance cycle. The Center fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle Quantum-ELSPI, promote quantum literacy, and develop values-based, equitable quantum ecosystems. The annual Stanford RQT Conference was mentioned as a key initiative for bringing the quantum community together to steer the technology towards beneficial outcomes.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration and IP Considerations: The critical need for diverse, inclusive, multidisciplinary teams was emphasized to address the hypercomplex challenges of quantum technology. He also touched upon the "rainbow of IP rights" applicable to quantum innovations and the importance of balancing IP protection with the prevention of overprotection and market skewness.

Guardrails Against Digital Authoritarianism

Professor Kop's address served as a crucial discussion starter for the breakout session, which aimed to brainstorm how advances in quantum technology might alter the dynamics of the struggle against digital authoritarianism and to explore potential guardrails. His remarks underscored the profound societal impact of quantum technologies and the imperative for proactive, principles-based governance to ensure they are developed and deployed responsibly, safeguarding human rights and democratic values on a global scale.