Mauritz Kop Consults UNESCO and OECD on Ethics and Quantum Technology Policy

Paris, January 9, 2025— As quantum technologies advance at a rapid pace, global institutions are turning to leading experts to help shape the ethical and policy frameworks that will govern this transformative era. Mauritz Kop, a prominent scholar in the field of quantum law and governance and Founding Director of the Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technology, has been actively consulting with two of the world's foremost international bodies: the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). His contributions are helping to build a global consensus on the responsible development and deployment of quantum technologies.

Mauritz Kop Consults UNESCO and OECD on Ethics and Quantum Technology Policy.

Expert Opinions for UNESCO and its World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST)

UNESCO, through its World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST), is at the forefront of establishing global ethical norms for emerging technologies. COMEST is an advisory body composed of leading international scholars tasked with formulating ethical principles to guide decision-makers beyond purely economic considerations.

Recognizing his expertise, COMEST invited Mauritz Kop to an exclusive Expert Hearing on May 13, 2024. This session was convened to gather insights for the Commission's forthcoming landmark report on the "Ethics of the Research, Development and Deployment of Quantum Computing Technologies." Together with three other experts who each presented different perspectives, Kop was asked to present his research on Responsible Quantum Technology, quantum-ELSPI (Ethical, Legal, Societal, and Policy Implications), and bespoke governance frameworks for Quantum Information Science (QIS). His scholarship - often co-authored with RQT Fellows such as Mateo Aboy, Eline de Jong, Mark Brongersma, and Raymond Laflamme, provides the Commission with state-of-the-art analysis of the ethical and governance challenges, helping to enrich the foundation of their upcoming report.

Stanford Law’s Mauritz Kop Provides Recommendations on UNESCO Preliminary Draft: 'Ethics of Quantum Computing'

Following the request to participate in the expert hearing, Stanford Law’s Mauritz Kop was formally invited to provide written recommendations on the "Preliminary Draft Report on the Ethics of Quantum Computing" on January 9, 2025. This invitation underscores the value of his contributions to the Commission's work. While the draft itself remains confidential, its direction can be understood through its public predecessor, the "Concept note of the World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST) on the ethics of quantum computing," published on July 24, 2024.

The concept note lays out a comprehensive vision for the ethical governance of quantum computing. It correctly asserts that while quantum technology is still in its early stages, the time to establish ethical guardrails is now, learning from the reactive approach taken with other technologies like social media. The note emphasizes that quantum technology is not neutral; its development and use have profound social and political impacts.

Key themes from the public July 24, 2024 concept note include:

A Global Public Good Approach: The note strongly advocates for treating quantum computing software, hardware, and processes as global public goods. This approach is crucial to ensure fair and equitable access for all, preventing a new "quantum divide" where benefits are concentrated in a few wealthy nations or corporations. This aligns with the broader UN mission of promoting international solidarity and intergenerational equity, ensuring that the technology's development serves the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Proactive Ethical Guardrails and a New Normative Approach: The concept note stresses the urgent need for ethical guardrails, arguing that technological progress is not inevitable but is shaped by choices. Learning from the decades-long under-regulation of other digital technologies, it calls for a proactive ethical framework based on protecting human dignity, autonomy, and security. It recognizes that while existing legal frameworks may apply by analogy, the unique challenges of quantum computing demand a new, specific normative order. This includes developing ethical standards that address the entire lifecycle of the technology, from research and development to deployment and use.

Addressing Dual-Use, Risks, and Standardization: The document highlights the immense opportunities of quantum computing in areas like medicine and climate science, while also squarely facing its significant risks. These include the threat of breaking current encryption standards (a "Q-day" scenario), the potential for malicious dual-use applications, access inequality, and high environmental costs. A key ethical question raised is who designs and participates in the standardization processes that will define how these risks are managed. The note calls for transparent, multistakeholder processes to develop these crucial standards and to prioritize the development of mitigations like post-quantum cryptography.

Multistakeholder and Global Governance: Drawing direct inspiration from the successful UN-backed Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and the process leading to the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, the note champions a multistakeholder model for quantum governance. It asserts that questions about how, where, and for what purpose quantum computing is used cannot be left to a small group of powerful actors. Instead, it calls for an inclusive, global dialogue involving scientists, governments, the private sector, and civil society to ensure that the development of quantum technology is democratically accountable and aligned with the values of the United Nations Charter and human rights.

The forthcoming report from COMEST, informed by experts like Mauritz Kop, Urs Gasser, Luca Possati, Mira Wolf-Bauwens and Shohini Ghose is poised to become a foundational document for global quantum computing ethics, building on the robust framework outlined in the concept note.

Mauritz Kop consults OECD on Global issues and national strategies for responsible quantum technology development.

Mauritz Kop Invited by OECD to Speak on Global Policy and National Strategies for Responsible Quantum Technology Development

In addition to his work with UNESCO, Mauritz Kop was invited by the OECD to contribute his expertise to its Global Forum on Technology (GFTech) event, "Future in flux? Global policy issues and national strategies for responsible quantum technology development," held in November 2023. The event was originally scheduled to take place in Tel Aviv, Israel, but was moved to a virtual format due to regional unrest.

This high-level forum brought together leading technology and policy experts to kickstart an inclusive global dialogue on the opportunities and risks of quantum technologies. The event's agenda focused on taking an honest look at the state of quantum computing, moving from hype to advantage, and considering the policy building blocks needed for responsible development. The discussions covered quantum communication, the global skills gap, and the importance of shaping national strategies that foster innovation while mitigating risks. The themes of the OECD forum, focusing on responsible quantum technology development, international cooperation, and national strategies, directly build upon the foundational, interdisciplinary RQT work pioneered by Kop’s group at Stanford. Kop's invitation to this forum highlights his role as a key voice in the international exchange on how to build vibrant and responsible innovation ecosystems for the quantum age.

Looking Ahead: The International Year of Quantum Science and Technology 2025

The work of UNESCO and the OECD is particularly timely, as the United Nations has officially declared 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ 2025). This global initiative, led by UNESCO, marks the 100th anniversary of the development of modern quantum mechanics and aims to raise global awareness of the importance of quantum science and its applications.

IYQ 2025 will feature worldwide events and initiatives, including the "Quantum 100" project, which recognizes and champions key individuals contributing to the global quantum community. The year-long observance will provide a crucial platform to advance the very dialogues on ethics, policy, and international cooperation that Mauritz Kop and his Stanford RQT team of leading lights are helping to shape at UNESCO and the OECD. It represents a unique opportunity to solidify a global commitment to ensuring that the second quantum revolution unfolds in a manner that is equitable, sustainable, and beneficial for all of humanity.

UNESCO 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology launches Quantum 100 initiative to recognize and champion the global quantum community - IYQ 2025.