Innovation, Quantum-AI Technology & Law

Blog over Kunstmatige Intelligentie, Quantum, Deep Learning, Blockchain en Big Data Law

Blog over juridische, sociale, ethische en policy aspecten van Kunstmatige Intelligentie, Quantum Computing, Sensing & Communication, Augmented Reality en Robotica, Big Data Wetgeving en Machine Learning Regelgeving. Kennisartikelen inzake de EU AI Act, de Data Governance Act, cloud computing, algoritmes, privacy, virtual reality, blockchain, robotlaw, smart contracts, informatierecht, ICT contracten, online platforms, apps en tools. Europese regels, auteursrecht, chipsrecht, databankrechten en juridische diensten AI recht.

Mauritz Kop Visiting Quantum & Law Scholar at Stanford Law School

Mauritz Kop is Visiting Quantum & Law Scholar at Stanford Law School in 2022-2023. Kop was invited by Prof. Mark Lemley, the William H. Neukom Professor of Law at Stanford Law School and the Director of the Stanford Program in Law, Science and Technology.

Advanced legal research on Regulating Quantum technology at Stanford Law School

This Stanford Law School ‘Regulating Quantum Technology’ research project will perform a detailed study of how to sensibly regulate the suite of quantum technologies including computing, sensing and networking, unifying the world of the large with that of the small. It intends to answer questions on how our innovation architecture should be constructed, so that benefits of quantum computing, sensing, simulation, and communication -including quantum-AI hybrids- will be distributed equitably, and risks proportionally addressed. Building upon foundational work done on quantum and AI innovation policy mechanisms, national security strategy, standardization & certification, ethics, responsible quantum R&D, governance principles, technology impact assessments, data ownership and intellectual property in quantum software and hardware structures - published in flagship Journals at Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Berkeley, Physics World, Max Planck, Springer Nature, and Oxford - the transdisciplinary research aims to develop an integrated, holistic vision on smart governance and regulation of quantum & AI infused digital transformation.

Happy to speak at a number of in person events in the nexus of AI, Quantum & Law in the coming weeks:

Scarcity, Regulation and the Abundance Society Roundtable at Stanford

1. April 22, Scarcity, Regulation and the Abundance Society Roundtable at Stanford, where I will present a chapter titled ‘Abundance & Equality’ for the book project co-edited by Mark Lemley and Deven Desai. The chapter connects good governance to the end of scarcity and unifies equality with technology driven abundance, by introducing a novel Post-Rawlsian Equal Relative Abundance (ERA) principle of distributive justice. As befits tradition, we will insert musical interludes for piano, with me performing ‘Stanford Theme & Variations’ à l'improviste in the Stanford Law School Faculty Lounge. https://law.stanford.edu/publications/scarcity-regulation-and-the-abundance-society/

Patenting Quantum Computing Technologies talk at Quantum & Law Conference in Lund

2. April 29, presenting our 'Patenting Quantum Computing Technologies and Market Power: A Quantitative Analysis' research together with my academic friends Profs Mateo Aboy (Cambridge) and Timo Minssen (Copenhagen) at the Quantum & Law Conference in Lund. We wrote 2 papers focusing on IP portfolio strategies, trade & state secrets, and their interface with antitrust regulations, utilizing industry and quantum domain specific mixed theoretical & empirical research methods. http://quantum-law.org/conference/

EU AI Act Presentation at AI World Summit Americas in Montreal

3. May 4, I’ll present an overview of the EU AI Act with its ‘product safety framework’ and market entrance requirements, constructed around a set of 4 risk categories at the AI World Summit Americas in Montreal. We will discuss whether it provides a regulatory framework for AI that should be adopted globally during a Headline panel with Prof. Gillian Hadfield (Toronto) and Dr José-Marie Griffiths (President Dakota State), moderated by Meredith Broadbent (Washington). https://americas.worldsummit.ai/speakers/

Keynote Quantum Computing Ethics at IBM Research

4. May 17, I’ll give a keynote on Quantum Computing Ethics at IBM Research during their Tech for Racial and Social Justice Seminar (internal event), organized by Dr Aminat Adebiyi, moderated by Dr Mira Wolf-Bauwens, with whom I worked together on the WEF Quantum Computing Principles. https://www.weforum.org/publications/quantum-computing-governance-principles/

Quantum Impact Assessment (QIA)

5. We are creating a world’s first application-driven Quantum Impact Assessment (QIA) in The Netherlands -raising ELSA awareness and removing barriers for adoption of QT- with a diverse, multidisciplinary team lead by Prof. Bart Schermer (Leiden) and Daniël Frijters for the Centre for Quantum & Society, made possible by ECP and Quantum Delta NL. https://quantumdelta.nl/centre-for-quantum-and-society

Quantum-ELSPI special for Springer Nature with Luciano Floridi

6. Meanwhile I am editing the Quantum-ELSPI special for Springer Nature on the Ethical, Legal, Social and Policy Implications of Quantum Technology, together with EiC Prof. Luciano Floridi (Oxford). https://law.stanford.edu/publications/quantum-elspi-ethical-legal-social-and-policy-implications-of-quantum-technology/

More exciting projects soon ...

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World Economic Forum Quantum Computing Ethics & Governance Principles

During 2021, Mauritz Kop helped design the World Economic Forum Quantum Governance Principles. In January 2022, the World Economic Forum released its accompanying Quantum Computing Governance Principles Insight Report. The report and principles were developed as part of a co-design process over the course of 2021 with a diverse set of global quantum stakeholders from industry, academia and government.

Governance Principles for the Responsible Design and Adoption of Quantum Computing

In 2022, our multidisciplinary WEF expert group published the first set of governance principles for the responsible design and adoption of quantum computing technology. A global multi stakeholder initiative to create an ethical framework enabling the responsible design and adoption of quantum computing. Quantum computing, though at its early stages, will help provide very significant advances in our computing capabilities and will have a considerable impact on improving the state of the world in the coming years. It could have a revolutionary impact on human well-being, national security, and global society, along with potential commercial applications across industries.

The Quantum Computing Ethics project is part of the World Economic Forum’s Shaping the Future of Technology Governance: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Platform.

10 Guiding Principles for Quantum Computing published at Yale

The Principles build in part on the prior 10 Guiding Principles for Quantum Computing published March 30, 2021 in the Yale Journal of Law & Technology in my article titled: Establishing a Legal-Ethical Framework for Quantum Technology.

There, I argue that the unique physical characteristics of quantum mechanics demand universal guiding principles of responsible, human-centered quantum technology. To this end, the article proposes ten guiding principles for the development and application of quantum technology. These ground rules aim to put controls in place and integrate our common democratic norms, standards and values into the design of our future hi-tech systems as much as possible

Law and ethics frequently interrelate. Ethical standards for quantum should however be a supplementation to legal measures, and not a replacement. Ethics alone can never be enough when regulating high-risk technologies like dual use quantum tech and quantum artificial intelligence. To make sure all groups of society benefit from quantum and AI we have to put controls and guardrails in place that address identified risks and incentivise sustainable innovation.

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Ethics in the Quantum Age

Honored to write about Ethics in the Quantum Age in the Physics World Special on Quantum 2.0, and to be given the chance to outline an ethical framework for quantum technologies, which includes a definition of quantum-ethics.

Mauritz Kop, Why we need to consider the ethical implications of quantum technologies, Physics World, IOP Publishing, (December 1, 2021)

Physics World Special on Quantum 2.0

Physics World is the magazine of the UK-based Institute of Physics (IOP), one of the largest physical societies in the world.

Link to the article: https://physicsworld.com/a/why-we-need-to-consider-the-ethical-implications-of-quantum-technologies/

Download the Ethics in the Quantum Age article here.

We need to build bridges of mutual understanding between disciplines – a move that will involve learning to speak each other’s language, which is easier said than done. Therefore, it is a promising sign that the quantum community reaches out to lawyers, philosophers, and ethicists to explain them the importance of ethics and the societal impact of quantum technologies in their own technical journal.

Making Quantum Technologies Ethical

Please find a short introduction below:

Over the past decades, research into quantum technologies has come to the stage where the science is rapidly being translated into real-world applications be it quantum computers, materials and communications systems. These advancements are witnessed by the considerable number of quantum start-ups that have emerged in recent years. Yet before these innovations can be diffused, we must ensure that ethical, legal and social implications are sufficiently addressed. Against this backdrop, attention is now turning to interdisciplinary efforts to identify the dilemma’s ingrained in making quantum technologies ethical.

A Multi-layered Ethical Framework for Quantum Technologies

The article proposes a multi-layered ethical framework for quantum technologies, including a definition of quantum ethics. At one level, we employ the old, familiar “normative” ethics that apply to all transformative technologies and to information. In addition, the counterintuitive phenomena that underpin quantum physics – such as superposition, entanglement and tunnelling – require a tailored, applied ethics approach. In other words, due to the unique characteristics of quantum technologies – such as the unprecedented capabilities of quantum sensors, the features of quantum networks, and the probabilistic nature of quantum computing – we also develop a new subtype of context-specific practical ethics. In this way we constitute our theory in well-established ethical traditions while at the same time providing tailor-made solutions.

Definition of Quantum Ethics

One possible definition of quantum ethics could be: “Quantum ethics calls for humans to act virtuously, abiding by the standards of ethical practice and conduct set by the quantum community, and to make sure these actions have desirable consequences, with the latter being higher in rank in case it conflicts with the former.

More quantum research at Stanford Law School here.

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Music Law at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague

Returning to my old flame for 1 day: looking forward to teaching music law at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague tomorrow! https://www.koncon.nl/en/

It's nice not having to speak or write about AI, data or quantum technology for a change... ;)

Teaching music law at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague

I am giving an in person guest lecture to a small group of students at the Amare - Den Haag, and it is live streamed to the rest of the department. The Amare is home to Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT) as well, one of the world’s leading contemporary dance & ballet companies, dedicated to creation, research, innovation and talent development. https://www.ndt.nl/en/

Using self-produced audio fragments and practical examples, we cover 18 music law topics ranging from registering intellectual property rights to strategic contract negotiations. The tracks I prepared are played from my Powerpoint into a phenomenal pair of Bowers & Wilkins monitors, the ultimate sound system. https://www.muziekenrecht.nl/blog/2017/6/music-licensing-in-the-netherlands-movies-games-legal-aspects

Looking back in nostalgia to the cross-disciplinary masterclasses I had the pleasure of teaching in recent years inter alia at Leiden University, Utrecht University and Conservatorium Maastricht. https://www.musicajuridica.nl/blog/2017/5/gastcollege-intellectueel-eigendom-conservatorium-maastricht

CPO Radboud University seminar at Het Concertgebouw Amsterdam

Absolute highlight was the postgraduate CPO Radboud University seminar at Het Concertgebouw Amsterdam on music & law, which included a public domain quiz musically framed by an ad hoc ensemble of Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest musicians featuring the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Maarten Feteris on piano and me (Mauritz Kop) on clarinet es/bes, performing bespoke Mozart, Beethoven and Bach arrangements. https://www.muziekenrecht.nl/blog/2018/cpo-seminar-muziek-recht-concertgebouw-amsterdam

Kudos to the KonCon management for making sure their talented students have firsthand access to vital information about the inner workings of the music & entertainment industry!

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Mauritz Kop speaks at Center for Quantum Networks Conference

Mauritz Kop will be speaking about Legal & Ethical Guidelines for Quantum Technology on Saturday Nov. 20 at 9:15-10:15 a.m. Phoenix, Arizona time (GMT-7) as part of the Quantum Technologies, Law, and Public Policy: A Global Perspective Conference. This two-day online event is hosted by the National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored Center for Quantum Networks at the University of Arizona, and the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Speakers include a cross-disciplinary line-up of quantum & law scholars from UC Berkeley School of Law, University of Toronto Faculty of Law, the University of Arizona, Sabanci University, Loyola Law School, Lund University, and Stanford Law School.

Quantum Technologies, Law, and Public Policy: A Global Perspective

You can find the conference’s agenda and registration here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mauritzkop_quantum-technologies-law-and-public-policy-activity-6863066359228583936-peu9/

Besides explaining quantum physics and discussing regulation, the focus of our Quantum Technologies, Law, and Public Policy: A Global Perspective Conference lies also on developing countries and their challenge with the future of quantum technologies. This is arguably the first comprehensive conference on quantum technology and the law in the U.S..

The Quantum Internet

The Center for Quantum Networks (CQN) is taking on one of the great engineering challenges of the 21st century: to lay the technical and social foundations of the quantum internet. The Quantum Internet will surpass the capabilities of today’s internet because of the unique advantages of entanglement—a coordination of the quantum states of particles serving as computational bits that is not present in the realms of classical physics. https://cqn-erc.arizona.edu/

Legal & Ethical Guidelines for Quantum Technology

The main takeaways of my Legal & Ethical Guidelines for Quantum Technology presentation are:

1. The quantum community should establish a practical code of quantum ethics to make the application of quantum technologies equitable and safe.

2. The world needs a risk-based legal-ethical framework for quantum technologies that mitigates risks and maximizes opportunities, the burdens and gains of which should be equally distributed across members of society.

3. Since technology is never neutral, we should embed democratic values and human rights principles into the architecture and infrastructure of our quantum systems, of course without rendering them useless.

4. We should develop quantum technology impact assessments in the form of codes of conduct, best practices and moral guides that are implemented by inclusive, diverse multidisciplinary teams, and utilize these tools to raise quantum awareness and trust, promote ethical quantum by design, and even proactively ensure regulatory compliance and legal conformity, which includes standardization and certification.

After registering for the conference you will receive the Zoom link that gives access to the event.

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Quantum ELSPI: Ethical, Legal, Social and Policy Implications of Quantum Technology

Call for Papers Quantum ELSPI

Delighted to announce that the Quantum ELSPI call for papers is now open! AIRecht Director & Stanford Law School TTLF Fellow Mauritz Kop has the honor to guest-edit a Topical Collection for Digital Society, a new journal edited by Luciano Floridi (Oxford Internet Institute). This project is a Stanford/Oxford collaboration that aims to explore uncharted territories of Ethical, Legal, Social and Policy Implications of Quantum Technology. Articles should be submitted before 15 February 2022 and will be double blind peer reviewed. Accepted articles will be published by Springer Nature.

You can find the Quantum ELSPI collection page here: https://link.springer.com/collections/eiebhdhagd.

Download the Springer Nature Quantum-ELSPI Call for Papers here: TC_Quantum ELSPI_Call for papers

ELSPI stratagems for quantum technology

Anticipating spectacular advancements in real-world quantum driven products and services, the time is ripe for governments, academia and the market to prepare regulatory and business strategies that balance their societal impact. This topical collection seeks to provide informed suggestions on how to maximize benefits and mitigate risks of applied quantum technology. It intends to deliver insights and actionable recommendations on how and when to address identified opportunities and challenges, which can then be refined into plausible, evidence-based policy decisions by stakeholders across the world.

Special edition of Digital Society

In this special edition of Digital Society, we aim for scholars to reflect on the multifaceted questions associated with Quantum ELSPI. In addition to learning from history and connecting quantum to other big picture trends, quantum should be treated as something completely unique and unprecedented. We especially welcome cross-disciplinary contributions that look beyond research silos and integrate law, economic theory, ethics, sociology, philosophy of science, quantum information science, and sustainable innovation policy, and that consider how to improve ELSPI stratagems for quantum technology. We encourage authors to be pioneers in this complex, and at times counterintuitive field.

Multifaceted questions associated with Quantum ELSPI

Questions and topics that could be addressed by contributions in the topical collection are not restricted to, but could include the following:

-Potential strategies for industries facing disruption such as the cybersecurity industry and financial institutions. What role could antitrust law, intellectual property, prizes, fines, funding, taxes, lifelong learning and labor mobility play while incentivizing innovation?

-How should dual use applications be managed? How do we balance freedom with control? What role could a Quantum Treaty play to make our world a safer place?

-The creation of a list of quantum-specific themes, goals, benefits and risks that need to be addressed by universal, overarching principles of responsible quantum design and application, including a definition of hi-risk quantum-systems.

-How can policy makers learn from history and adjacent fields - such as AI, biotechnology, nanotechnology, semiconductors and nuclear - when regulating exponential innovation and ensuring equal access to quantum computing, sensing and the quantum internet? How can winner take all effects and a quantum divide be prevented? To what extent does governing digitization driven by classical computing paradigms (binary digits) differ from governing quantum computing (qubits)?

-It is not inconceivable that the development and uptake of transnational quantum principles will run along the lines of democratic and authoritarian tech governance models. Against that background, how can we embed cultural norms, liberal values, democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms in globally accepted interoperability standards?

-How can we implement ethically aligned design into our quantum systems architecture and infrastructure? How can quantum technology impact assessments help achieve these goals?

Guest-Editor Quantum ELSPI: Mauritz Kop (Stanford Law School, Stanford University)

Editor-in-Chief Digital Society: Luciano Floridi (Oxford Internet Institute, Oxford University)

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EU Artificial Intelligence Act: The European Approach to AI

Stanford - Vienna Transatlantic Technology Law Forum, Transatlantic Antitrust and IPR Developments, Stanford University, Issue No. 2/2021

New Stanford tech policy research: “EU Artificial Intelligence Act: The European Approach to AI”.

Download the article here: Kop_EU AI Act: The European Approach to AI

EU regulatory framework for AI

On 21 April 2021, the European Commission presented the Artificial Intelligence Act. This Stanford Law School contribution lists the main points of the proposed regulatory framework for AI.

The Act seeks to codify the high standards of the EU trustworthy AI paradigm, which requires AI to be legally, ethically and technically robust, while respecting democratic values, human rights and the rule of law. The draft regulation sets out core horizontal rules for the development, commodification and use of AI-driven products, services and systems within the territory of the EU, that apply to all industries.

Legal sandboxes fostering innovation

The EC aims to prevent the rules from stifling innovation and hindering the creation of a flourishing AI ecosystem in Europe. This is ensured by introducing various flexibilities, including the application of legal sandboxes that afford breathing room to AI developers.

Sophisticated ‘product safety regime’

The EU AI Act introduces a sophisticated ‘product safety framework’ constructed around a set of 4 risk categories. It imposes requirements for market entrance and certification of High-Risk AI Systems through a mandatory CE-marking procedure. To ensure equitable outcomes, this pre-market conformity regime also applies to machine learning training, testing and validation datasets.

Pyramid of criticality

The AI Act draft combines a risk-based approach based on the pyramid of criticality, with a modern, layered enforcement mechanism. This means, among other things, that a lighter legal regime applies to AI applications with a negligible risk, and that applications with an unacceptable risk are banned. Stricter regulations apply as risk increases.

Enforcement at both Union and Member State level

The draft regulation provides for the installation of a new enforcement body at Union level: the European Artificial Intelligence Board (EAIB). At Member State level, the EAIB will be flanked by national supervisors, similar to the GDPR’s oversight mechanism. Fines for violation of the rules can be up to 6% of global turnover, or 30 million euros for private entities.

CE-marking for High-Risk AI Systems

In line with my recommendations, Article 49 of the Act requires high-risk AI and data-driven systems, products and services to comply with EU benchmarks, including safety and compliance assessments. This is crucial because it requires AI infused products and services to meet the high technical, legal and ethical standards that reflect the core values of trustworthy AI. Only then will they receive a CE marking that allows them to enter the European markets. This pre-market conformity mechanism works in the same manner as the existing CE marking: as safety certification for products traded in the European Economic Area (EEA).

Trustworthy AI by Design: ex ante and life-cycle auditing

Responsible, trustworthy AI by design requires awareness from all parties involved, from the first line of code. Indispensable tools to facilitate this awareness process are AI impact and conformity assessments, best practices, technology roadmaps and codes of conduct. These tools are executed by inclusive, multidisciplinary teams, that use them to monitor, validate and benchmark AI systems. It will all come down to ex ante and life-cycle auditing.

The new European rules will forever change the way AI is formed. Pursuing trustworthy AI by design seems like a sensible strategy, wherever you are in the world.

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De Wet op de Artificiële Intelligentie

Een bewerkte versie van deze bijdrage is gepubliceerd op platform VerderDenken.nl van het Centrum voor Postacademisch Juridisch Onderwijs (CPO) van de Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen. https://www.ru.nl/cpo/verderdenken/columns/wet-artificiele-intelligentie-belangrijkste-punten/

Nieuwe regels voor AI gedreven producten, diensten en systemen

Op 21 april 2021 presenteerde de Europese Commissie haar langverwachte Wet op de Artificiële Intelligentie (AI). Deze concept Verordening geeft regels voor de ontwikkeling, commodificatie en gebruik van AI gedreven producten, diensten en systemen binnen het territorium van de Europese Unie. Het was bemoedigend te zien dat het team van President Ursula von der Leyen een belangrijk aantal van onze strategische aanbevelingen op het gebied van de regulering van AI heeft overgenomen, danwel zelfstandig tot dezelfde conclusies is gekomen.

Doelstellingen wettelijk kader voor AI

De concept Verordening biedt horizontale overkoepelende kernregels voor kunstmatige intelligentie die op alle industrieën (verticals) van toepassing zijn. De wet beoogt de hoge maatstaven van het EU Trustworthy AI paradigma te codificeren, dat voorschrijft dat AI wettig, ethisch en technisch robuust dient te zijn en daartoe 7 vereisten hanteert.

De Wet op de Artificiële Intelligentie heeft de volgende 4 doelstellingen:

1. ervoor zorgen dat AI-systemen die in de Unie in de handel worden gebracht en gebruikt, veilig zijn en de bestaande wetgeving inzake grondrechten en waarden van de Unie eerbiedigen;

2. rechtszekerheid garanderen om investeringen en innovatie in AI te vergemakkelijken;

3. het beheer en de doeltreffende handhaving van de bestaande wetgeving inzake grondrechten en veiligheidsvoorschriften die van toepassing zijn op AI-systemen, verbeteren;

4. de ontwikkeling van een eengemaakte markt voor wettige, veilige en betrouwbare AI-toepassingen vergemakkelijken en marktversnippering voorkomen.“

Risico gebaseerde aanpak kunstmatig intelligente applicaties

Om deze doelstellingen te realiseren combineert de concept Artificial Intelligence Act een risk-based approach op basis van de pyramid of criticality, met een modern, gelaagd handhavingsmechanisme. Dit houdt onder meer in dat er voor AI applicaties met een verwaarloosbaar risico een licht wettelijk regime geldt, en onacceptabel risico applicaties verboden worden. Tussen deze 2 uitersten gelden er naarmate het risico toeneemt strengere voorschriften. Deze variëren van vrijblijvende zelfregulerende soft law impact assessments met gedragscodes, tot zwaar, multidisciplinair extern geauditeerde compliance vereisten inzake kwaliteit, veiligheid en transparantie inclusief risicobeheer, monitoring, certificering, benchmarking, validatie, documentatieplicht en markttoezicht gedurende de levenscyclus van de toepassing.

Handhaving en governance

De definitie van hoog risico AI applicaties binnen de diverse industriële sectoren is nog niet in steen gehouwen. Een ondubbelzinnige risicotaxonomie zal bijdragen aan rechtszekerheid en biedt belanghebbenden een adequaat antwoord op vragen over aansprakelijkheid en verzekering. Om ruimte voor innovatie door SME’s waaronder tech-startups te waarborgen, worden er flexibele AI regulatory sandboxes geïntroduceerd en is er IP Action Plan opgesteld voor intellectueel eigendom. De concept Verordening voorziet tenslotte in de installatie van een nieuwe handhavende instantie op Unieniveau: het European Artificial Intelligence Board. De EAIB zal op lidstaatniveau worden geflankeerd door nationale toezichthouders.

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Cyber Week 2021 Tel Aviv University Israel

AIRecht Director Mauritz Kop will speak at Cyber Week 2021 Tel Aviv University Israel, and participate in the Panel 'Debating Collective Cyber Defense for Democracies'. He will present his Stanford essay ‘Democratic Countries Should Form a Strategic Tech Alliance’ on July 22nd at 20:00 Israel time, see: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3814409

Cyber Week 2021 hosts a range of distinguished speakers from across the globe, including the Prime Minister of Israel Naftali Bennett, see: https://cw2021.b2b-wizard.com/expo/speakers

Debating Collective Cyber Defense for Democracies

Line-up and speakers of the ‘Debating Collective Cyber Defense for Democracies’ panel (notice the strong Dutch@Stanford representation):

Keynote: Ambassador Heli Tiirmaa-Klaar, Ambassador-at-Large for Cyber Diplomacy at the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Lectures by:

Prof. Chris Demchak, Strategic and Operational Research Department, U.S. Naval War College

Dr. Lior Tabansky, Ph.D., (Moderator), Head of Research Development, Blavatnik Interdisciplinary Cyber Research Center, Tel Aviv University

Mauritz Kop, Stanford Law School TTLF Fellow, Founder of MusicaJuridica, and Strategic Intellectual Property Lawyer at AIRecht

Marietje Schaake, International Policy Director at the Cyber Policy Center; International Policy Fellow at the Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, Stanford University

See the complete agenda at: https://cw2021.b2b-wizard.com/expo/agenda

Democratic Countries Should Form a Strategic Tech Alliance

Kop’s essay titled ‘Democratic Countries Should Form a Strategic Tech Alliance’ concludes that to prevent authoritarianism from gaining ground, democratic governments should do four things: (1) inaugurate a Strategic Tech Alliance, (2) set worldwide core rules, interoperability & conformity standards for key 4IR technologies such as AI, quantum, 6G and Virtual Reality (VR), (3) win the race for 4IR technology supremacy, and (4) actively embed our common democratic norms, principles and values into the architecture and infrastructure of our technology.

REGISTER for the conference following the link: https://cw2021.b2b-wizard.com/expo/home

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Quantum Computing and Intellectual Property Law

Berkeley Technology Law Journal, Vol. 35, No. 3, 2021

New Stanford University Beyond IP Innovation Law research article: “Quantum Computing and Intellectual Property Law”.

By Mauritz Kop

Citation: Kop, Mauritz, Quantum Computing and Intellectual Property Law (April 8, 2021). Berkeley Technology Law Journal 2021, Vol. 35, No. 3, pp 101-115, February 8, 2022, https://btlj.org/2022/02/quantum-computing-and-intellectual-property-law/

Download the article here: Kop_QC and IP Law BTLJ

Please find a short abstract below:

Intellectual property (IP) rights & the Quantum Computer

What types of intellectual property (IP) rights can be vested in the components of a scalable quantum computer? Are there sufficient market-set innovation incentives for the development and dissemination of quantum software and hardware structures? Or is there a need for open source ecosystems, enrichment of the public domain and even democratization of quantum technology? The article explores possible answers to these tantalizing questions.

IP overprotection leads to exclusive exploitation rights for first movers

The article demonstrates that strategically using a mixture of IP rights to maximize the value of the IP portfolio of the quantum computer’s owner, potentially leads to IP protection in perpetuity. Overlapping IP protection regimes can result in unlimited duration of global exclusive exploitation rights for first movers, being a handful of universities and large corporations. The ensuing IP overprotection in the field of quantum computing leads to an unwanted concentration of market power. Overprotection of information causes market barriers and hinders both healthy competition and industry-specific innovation. In this particular case it slows down progress in an important application area of quantum technology, namely quantum computing.

Fair competition and antitrust laws for quantum technology

In general, our current IP framework is not written with quantum technology in mind. IP should be an exception -limited in time and scope- to the rule that information goods can be used for the common good without restraint. IP law cannot incentivize creation, prevent market failure, fix winner-takes-all effects, eliminate free riding and prohibit predatory market behavior at the same time. To encourage fair competition and correct market skewness, antitrust law is the instrument of choice.

Towards an innovation architecture that mixes freedom and control

The article proposes a solution tailored to the exponential pace of innovation in The Quantum Age, by introducing shorter IP protection durations of 3 to 10 years for Quantum and AI infused creations and inventions. These shorter terms could be made applicable to both the software and the hardware side of things. Clarity about the recommended limited durations of exclusive rights -in combination with compulsory licenses or fixed prized statutory licenses- encourages legal certainty, knowledge dissemination and follow on innovation within the quantum domain. In this light, policy makers should build an innovation architecture that mixes freedom (e.g. access, public domain) and control (e.g. incentive & reward mechanisms).

Creating a thriving global quantum ecosystem

The article concludes that anticipating spectacular advancements in quantum technology, the time is now ripe for governments, research institutions and the markets to prepare regulatory and IP strategies that strike the right balance between safeguarding our fundamental rights & freedoms, our democratic norms & standards, and pursued policy goals that include rapid technology transfer, the free flow of information and the creation of a thriving global quantum ecosystem, whilst encouraging healthy competition and incentivizing sustainable innovation.

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