Mauritz Kop Speaker at XPANSE 2024 Abu Dhabi: The Seminal Exponential Tech Event
Abu Dhabi, Nov. 22, 2024—Professor Mauritz Kop, the Founder and Executive Director of the Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technology, was invited to speak at the XPANSE 2024 forum in the captivating city of Abu Dhabi. His involvement represented a significant contribution to the global dialogue on the future of exponential technologies. Held from November 20th to 22nd, the festival-style event at the ADNEC Centre convened international experts to establish a forward-looking agenda for technology governance and development. The forum was structured as an "ecosystem-building engine" intended to guide the next phase of development for industries and societies.
XPANSE, hosted by ADQ and developed in partnership with the international think tank MATTER, brought together approximately 2,500 participants. The attendees included Nobel Prize Laureates such as Sir Roger Penrose, Steven Chu, and Anton Zeilinger, as well as industry leaders, government ministers, and scientists. The agenda covered a wide range of exponential technologies, including quantum computing, artificial general intelligence (AGI), genomics, fusion energy, and brain-machine interfaces. The initiative functions as a continuous, year-round program designed to connect scientific research with leadership, policy, and investment on a global scale. Special recognition is due to Dr. Zina Jarrahi Cinker, Chief Creator of XPANSE, for her exceptional work in organizing this seminal event.
The attendees included Nobel Prize Laureates such as Sir Roger Penrose, Steven Chu, and Anton Zeilinger.
Charting the Course for Responsible Quantum Governance
A central component of Professor Kop's participation was his role on the high-level panel, "Global Policy Frameworks for Quantum Technology." The session addressed the need for proactive governance frameworks for emerging quantum technologies, drawing lessons from the development of prior technological waves like the internet and artificial intelligence. The objective was to outline adaptive and principled regulatory structures that support innovation while ensuring societal safeguards.
Professor Kop was joined on the panel by a distinguished group of colleagues. The discussion was moderated by Fabienne Marco, Director of the Quantum Social Lab at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and featured insights from Professor Urs Gasser, Dean of the TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology (and frequent co-author of Prof. Kop), and Dr. Hoda Al Khzaimi, Associate Vice Provost of Research Translation and Innovation at New York University Abu Dhabi. The collaboration with TUM's think tank highlighted the importance of international cooperation in this field.
Dive into the essential conversation on the global policy frameworks shaping the future of quantum technology. Moderated by Fabienne Marco, Director of Quantum Social Lab at the Technical University of Munich, this XPANSE 2024 panel in Abu Dhabi explores the critical role of policy in fostering responsible and equitable development of quantum technologies. Panelists include: Dr. Mauritz Kop, Founder & Executive Director, Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technology Urs Gasser, Dean, TUM Quantum Social Lab Dr. Hoda Al Khzaimi, Associate Vice Provost of Research Translation and Innovation, NYU Abu Dhabi
The panel's discussion focused on the complexities of establishing effective governance. Professor Kop addressed the necessity of creating policy frameworks tailored to the specific properties of quantum technologies. He elaborated on the dual-use nature of the field, where applications in medicine and climate science coexist with substantial risks to cybersecurity and global stability. The panel discussed the importance of establishing "guardrails" that serve as flexible guides for responsible development. He also articulated a governance model based on a "golden triangle" of academia, government, and industry, designed to promote an equitable and secure rollout of the quantum revolution, with consideration for the World Majority Countries. This session contributed to the preparatory work for the United Nations' International Year of Quantum in 2025.
Professor Mauritz Kop Speaker at XPANSE 2024 Abu Dhabi: The Seminal Exponential Tech Event
Quantum Meets Fractal Geometric Art at the Intersection of Art, Infinity, and Intuition
In addition to the policy discussions, Professor Kop presented his "Quantum Meets Fractal Geometric Art" installation. This performance, held on the Main Stage in the Imaginarium’s Enchanted Forest, was designed as an immersive experience exploring the connections between mathematics, art, and physics. The installation had previously been performed at the TUM Festival of Ideas event in Munchen, Germany in November 2023 and at the Stanford RQT Conference in May 2024.
What happens when quantum science, fractal geometry, and art collide? In this electrifying performative keynote, Dr. Mauritz Kop, Founder and Executive Director at Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technology, takes the stage as DJ, live AI visual artist, and storyteller all at once. Experience a mesmerizing fusion of sound, visuals, and ideas as he explores the deep connections between quantum mechanics and fractal geometric patterns, bringing cutting-edge science to life through immersive art and music.
Accompanied by beat-synced music, the installation used visuals of fractal geometry to illustrate complex patterns. Professor Kop provided context, explaining that these patterns reflect principles found in nature and represent a conceptual meeting point for mathematics, infinity, classical physics, and quantum mechanics.
The performance served as a demonstration of how artistic mediums can be used to convey complex scientific ideas. Professor Kop suggested that engagement with such art could foster a deeper "quantum intuition," a valuable asset for building a scientifically literate and creative quantum workforce. He noted the potential relationship between the geometric principles displayed and the physical process of a quantum state transitioning to a classical state. The installation underscored the value of interdisciplinary approaches for generating new modes of thought and was presented as a call for integrating creative methodologies into scientific and technological development.
Professor Mauritz Kop is the Founder and Executive Director of the Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technology.
Mauritz Kop Featured Quantum Expert in The Innovator Interview
Professor Kop's perspectives were further disseminated through an interview with Jennifer Schenker of The Innovator. This conversation provided a platform to deliver clear, actionable recommendations for preparing for the quantum era to a global audience of leaders.
He outlined the broad scope of quantum technologies, including computing, sensing, networking, and quantum-AI hybrids. He linked these technologies to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), illustrating their potential to address major global challenges in areas such as medicine, carbon capture, and climate modeling.
He also provided a balanced assessment of the associated risks, including threats to data privacy, the potential for a quantum military arms race, and the risk of exacerbating existing inequalities. In this context, he discussed the work of the Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technology and the "10 Principles for Responsible Quantum Innovation" that he developed. These principles offer a structured framework for addressing the ethical dimensions of the technology.
His primary message to the corporate sector was direct: "I advise corporates to invest heavily both in quantum and quantumAI today to get ahead of the curve and to start learning about its responsible use to remain compliant." He emphasized the need for "quantum literacy" among leaders and cautioned governments against overly restrictive regulations, such as broad export controls, that could impede innovation. He advocated for "planetary thinking" and smart, pro-innovation regulation tied to established technical safety and interoperability standards.
Professor Kop's perspectives were further disseminated through an interview with Jennifer Schenker of The Innovator.
Personal Note: A Musical Interlude on Piano
Amidst the formal discussions and presentations, Professor Kop also offered a musical interlude on the piano in the VIP lounge. This performance served as a reminder of the value of interdisciplinary perspectives and the role of the arts in fostering the multifaceted thinking required to guide complex technological development.
The proceedings of XPANSE 2024 are documented in a series of YouTube aftermovies, which serve as an archive of the event's sessions and discussions.
Professor Kop's contributions to XPANSE 2024 demonstrated his leadership in the quantum technology policy and governance ecosystem. His participation spanned detailed policy analysis, an artistic-scientific installation, and strategic advice to industry and government leaders. His involvement aligned with the event's core mission to convene experts to crystallize a path toward the responsible development of exponential technologies. His contributions were a significant element of the discourse on shaping our collective technological future.
Images from the mesmerizing Enchanted Forrest stage at XPANSE 2024 Abu Dhabi.