Artificiële Intelligentie & Recht
Innovation, Quantum-AI Technology & Law

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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.

Stanford Scholar Mauritz Kop Teaches Quantum Computing & Law at Fordham Law School
Stanford Scholar Mauritz Kop Teaches Quantum Computing & Law at Fordham Law School

New York, NY, January 21, 2025 – Stanford University scholar Mauritz Kop, a leading voice in the intricate nexus of quantum technology, AI, and law, today addressed the legal community at the Fordham Law School Library. His presentation, titled "Here Comes Quantum Computing — What the Legal Community Needs to Know," was a featured event in the Maloney Library's esteemed "Tech Lunch 'n' Learn" series, a program designed to keep legal professionals at the forefront of technological innovation.

Stanford Scholar Mauritz Kop the Quantum Future for the Legal Community at Fordham Law

Kop, the Founding Director of the Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technology, offered a comprehensive overview of the transformative potential and inherent risks of quantum technologies at Fordham Law. He emphasized that the leitmotif of our time is that "Quantum’s benefits outweigh its risks, if implemented responsibly".

Responsible Quantum Technology (RQT) is a framework designed to ensure that the innovation and implementation of quantum technologies align with societal demands and enhance global welfare. It provides a principled approach to guide quantum technology development.

Responsible Quantum Technology

The core components and objectives of RQT entail:

Compliance and Safety: Developers, vendors, and users of quantum systems must adhere to a range of emerging regional and global requirements. This includes technology-specific rules and industry-specific regulations in sectors like finance and healthcare, supported by standards and certifications to guarantee safe deployment.

Addressing Implications (Quantum-ELSPI): RQT involves engaging with quantum technologies in a way that is consistent with Quantum-ELSPI—the ethical, legal, socio-economic, and policy implications of the technology. This requires a tailored approach that considers the unique and counter-intuitive principles of quantum mechanics, such as superposition and entanglement.

Alignment with RRI: The RQT framework responds to the key dimensions of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI): anticipation, reflexivity, inclusion, and responsiveness.

Ethical Foundation: RQT must align with quantum ethics, which involves identifying the dilemmas inherent in making these technologies ethical through interdisciplinary, context-specific methods.

Legal Frameworks: The framework requires adherence to legal norms like the rule of law and proportionality. It advocates for future legislation that mitigates risks and maximizes benefits, providing legal certainty to incentivize Responsible Quantum Innovation (RQI).

Socio-Economic Considerations: RQT dictates that quantum technology should prioritize society's most pressing goals, such as cybersecurity, economic stability, and managing climate change. It also mandates that the benefits and burdens of the technology should be equitably distributed.

Policy Guidance: RQT serves as a tool for policymakers, helping them learn from the governance of other disruptive technologies like AI, nuclear energy, and the internet. An important policy goal is to foster values-based quantum ecosystems globally.

Operational Principles: The RQT paradigm is put into practice through "10 Principles for Responsible Quantum Innovation". These principles are structured to safeguard, engage, and advance (SEA) quantum technologies, society, and humankind, with the ultimate goal of protecting society by responsibly advancing the technology.

Practical Tools: The framework can be used by policymakers to design regulations and can be complemented by self-regulatory tools like technology impact assessments to monitor, validate, and audit quantum applications throughout their lifecycle using appropriate RQT benchmarks and metrics.

Hardwiring Values: A core tenet of RQT is embedding shared values and standards into the design, deployment, and infrastructure of quantum systems. This includes current work on how to embed values and standards into the architecture and infrastructure of quantum AI systems, products, and services. The goal is to guide these technologies toward collective social and environmental benefit.

Quantum Computing — What the Legal Community Needs to Know

The ‘Quantum Computing — What the Legal Community Needs to Know’ lecture provided an in-depth exploration of second-generation (2G) quantum technologies, which harness the unique principles of quantum physics, such as superposition and entanglement, to solve problems beyond the grasp of classical computers. Kop highlighted recent breakthroughs, including Google's "Willow" quantum computing chip, which completed a complex calculation in under five minutes—a task that would take the fastest supercomputers an estimated 10 septillion years. This, he explained, demonstrates the potential for quantum computers to revolutionize sectors like healthcare, finance, energy, and defense.

Navigating the Ethical and Legal Maze

A significant portion of the talk was dedicated to the ethical, legal, socio-economic, and policy implications (Quantum ELSPI) of this emerging field. Kop stressed the dual-use nature of quantum technology, which, much like nuclear energy, can be applied to both civilian and military purposes. This duality necessitates a robust governance framework to prevent misuse by adversaries and to avoid a new arms race.

Kop advocated for a "Responsible Quantum Technology (RQT)" framework to ensure that innovation aligns with societal values and legal standards. This approach calls for a recalibration of legal frameworks to mitigate risks while fostering responsible innovation. He pointed to the "Collingridge dilemma," cautioning that regulating quantum too early could stifle innovation, while regulating too late could result in irreversible negative consequences.

A Call for Global Cooperation and Responsible Innovation

The lecture underscored the necessity of global cooperation in developing unified quantum interoperability standards to avoid a "quantum splinternet" fragmented along geopolitical lines. Kop argued for a research and development agenda that is "as open as possible, and as closed as necessary" to address national security concerns while fostering international partnerships.

To operationalize the RQT paradigm, Kop and his research group have proposed "10 Principles for Responsible Quantum Innovation," organized to safeguard, engage, and advance (SEA) quantum technologies for the benefit of humanity.

Fordham's Commitment to Legal Tech Education

The "Tech Lunch 'n' Learn" series at Fordham's Maloney Library provides a crucial platform for such discussions, inviting experts to shed light on the evolving landscape of law and technology. These sessions empower students and practitioners to grapple with complex subjects like AI, data privacy, and now, quantum computing.

Kop's lecture at Fordham served as a vital call to action for the legal community to proactively engage with the development of quantum technologies. As he concluded, "As society shapes technology, technology shapes society". The legal profession has a critical role to play in ensuring that the quantum era unfolds in a manner that is secure, equitable, and beneficial for all.

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

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.

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.

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.

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Academics, Governance, Innovation, Policy, Quantum ELSPI, Quantum Technology, Quantum Computing, Stanford RQTMauritz KopUNESCO, OECD, COMEST, Stanford RQT, Quantum Ethics, Policy, Governance, Standards, Dual-Use, Urs Gasser, Mauritz Kop
Mauritz Kop Consults U.S. Department of State on Quantum Technology and Foreign Policy Strategy
Mauritz Kop Consults U.S. Department of State on Quantum Technology and Foreign Policy Strategy

Washington D.C. – On December 12, 2024, Mauritz Kop, Founding Director of the Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technology (RQT) and the Stanford Quantum Incubator, was invited to consult with the U.S. Department of State on the pressing challenges and strategic opportunities presented by the quantum era. The analytic outreach event, hosted by the Bureau of Intelligence and Research’s Office of Analytic Outreach (INR/AO), provided a critical forum to discuss the integration of quantum technology considerations into U.S. foreign policy and national security strategy.

This engagement highlights the growing recognition within the U.S. government that understanding quantum technology is no longer the exclusive domain of physicists and engineers, but a crucial imperative for diplomats, intelligence analysts, and foreign policy architects.

Informing Diplomacy with Strategic Insight

The U.S. Department of State is the nation’s lead foreign affairs agency, responsible for advancing the interests and security of the American people. Within the Department, the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) holds a unique mandate to provide independent, all-source intelligence and analysis to the Secretary of State and other senior policymakers. INR’s primary mission is to deliver timely, objective, and insightful assessments that inform decision-making on the full spectrum of diplomatic and foreign policy challenges. It is within this context of providing deep, substantive expertise that the Office of Analytic Outreach convenes leading external experts like Mauritz Kop to engage directly with government analysts and officials.

A Bird's-Eye View of Quantum's Strategic Landscape

While the specific details of the consultation remain confidential, the discussion drew upon Mr. Kop’s extensive research on quantum governance, which offers a strategic framework for policymakers. His analysis emphasizes several key themes crucial for navigating the complexities of the quantum age.

A central theme is the inherently dual-use character of quantum technology. This paradigm holds both immense promise and profound risk. On one hand, quantum advancements are poised to revolutionize sectors vital to human progress; quantum sensors could dramatically improve medical imaging and seismic prediction, while quantum simulation could enhance drug discovery and macroeconomic modeling. On the other hand, this same power presents formidable threats. The advent of a fault-tolerant quantum computer, or "Q-Day," could catastrophically break the classical encryption that underpins global finance, data security, and critical infrastructure, with a potential timeframe of just two to three years.

This governance model is set against a backdrop of intense geopolitical competition. Kop’s research posits the risk of a "Quantum Event Horizon"—a governance tipping point at which one technological bloc could achieve quantum supremacy and with that the keys to the world’s operating system, creating an irreversible, "winner-takes-all" advantage that could destabilize the global order. This makes it a strategic imperative for the United States and its allies to lead in building a "globally leading, values-laden Made in America quantum ecosystem."

Embedding Democratic Values into the Quantum Future

A core pillar of the responsible governance framework presented is the imperative to embed democratic values and human rights principles into the very architecture of quantum systems. Technology is never neutral; it inherently carries the values of its creators. Therefore, the U.S. and its like-minded partners have a generational opportunity to set the "rules of the road" for quantum technology through international standard-setting that prioritizes privacy, fairness, and fundamental freedoms. This involves fostering diverse, interdisciplinary research and development teams to combat inherent biases and ensure outcomes align with the principles of a free society.

Stanford RQT and the Department of State’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research

The engagement with the Department of State’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research represents a vital step in bridging the gap between the academic frontier of quantum research and the pragmatic realities of foreign policy. The work of the Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technology remains committed to fostering these essential conversations, ensuring that as humanity prepares to take its next great technological leap, it does so with foresight, responsibility, and a steadfast commitment to democratic values.

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Diplomacy, Governance, Geopolitics, Innovation, Quantum-AI, Quantum Technology, Quantum Computing, Quantum ELSPI, Scholarship, Standardization, Stanford RQT, GovernmentMauritz KopU.S. Department of State, Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technology, stanford law school, Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Foreign Policy, Quantum Governance, Geostrategy, Rules of the Road, Made in America Quantum-AI, Governance Tipping Point, Winner Takes All, National Security, Nuclear, Values, Democracy, Export Controls, Supply Chains, Quantum Event Horizon, Quantum Race, Dual use, Quantum Talent & Workforce, Freedom, Human Rights, Standards, Ethics, Innovation, Mauritz Kop
Law, Ethics and Policy of Quantum & AI in Healthcare and Life Sciences published at Harvard, Stanford and European Commission
Law, Ethics and Policy of Quantum & AI in Healthcare and Life Sciences published at Harvard, Stanford and European Commission

A collaborative research initiative by scholars from Stanford, Harvard, and MIT, published by the Petrie-Flom Center at Harvard Law School, the Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technology, and the European Commission, delves into the complex regulatory and ethical landscape of integrating quantum technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) into the healthcare and life sciences sectors. This series of policy guides and analyses, authored by an interdisciplinary team including Mauritz Kop, Suzan Slijpen, Katie Liu, Jin-Hee Lee, Constanze Albrecht, and I. Glenn Cohen, offers a comprehensive examination of the transformative potential and inherent challenges of this technological convergence.

Regulating Quantum & AI in Healthcare and Medicine: A Brief Policy Guide

This body of research, examining the entangled legal, ethical, and policy dimensions of integrating quantum technologies and AI into healthcare, is articulated across a series of publications in leading academic and policy forums. These works collaboratively build a comprehensive framework for understanding and navigating the future of medicine. A related policy guide was also published on the European Commission's Futurium platform, further disseminating these findings to a key international policymaking audience. The specific publications include:

1. A Brief Quantum Medicine Policy Guidehttps://blog.petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2024/12/06/a-brief-quantum-medicine-policy-guide/

2. How Quantum Technologies May Be Integrated Into Healthcare, What Regulators Should Considerhttps://law.stanford.edu/publications/how-quantum-technologies-may-be-integrated-into-healthcare-what-regulators-should-consider/

3. EU and US Regulatory Challenges Facing AI Health Care Innovator Firmshttps://blog.petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2024/04/04/eu-and-us-regulatory-challenges-facing-ai-health-care-innovator-firms/

4. Regulating Quantum & AI in Healthcare: A Brief Policy Guidehttps://futurium.ec.europa.eu/en/european-ai-alliance/document/regulating-quantum-ai-healthcare-brief-policy-guide

by Mauritz Kop, Suzan Slijpen, Katie Liu, Jin-Hee Lee, Constanze Albrecht & I. Glenn Cohen

Forging the Future of Medicine: A Scholarly Perspective on the Law, Ethics, and Policy of Quantum and AI in Healthcare

The research posits that the fusion of AI with second-generation quantum technologies (2G QT)—which harness quantum-mechanical phenomena like superposition and entanglement—is poised to revolutionize precision medicine. This synergy of quantum computing, sensing and simulation with artificial intelligence promises hyper-personalized healthcare solutions, capable of tackling intricate medical problems that lie beyond the grasp of classical computing. The potential applications are vast, spanning from accelerated drug discovery and development workflows and enhanced diagnostic imaging to rapid genome sequencing and real-time health monitoring. For instance, quantum simulations could model molecular interactions to create more effective pharmaceuticals, while quantum dots may offer novel platforms for targeted cancer therapies and treatments for neurodegenerative conditions by overcoming the blood-brain barrier.

However, the authors caution that these groundbreaking advancements are accompanied by significant ethical, legal, socio-economic, and policy (ELSPI) implications. The emergence of Quantum Artificial Intelligence (QAI), Quantum Machine Learning (QML), and Quantum Large Language Models (QLLM) is expected to amplify these ELSPI concerns. The dual-use nature of these technologies, such as their potential application in gain-of-function research, necessitates a principled and human-centric governance approach.

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Mauritz Kop Speaker at XPANSE 2024 Abu Dhabi: The Seminal Exponential Tech Event
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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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Dutch Ambassador to the US and Consul General visit Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technology
Dutch Ambassador to the US and Consul General visit Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technology

Stanford, CA, October 11, 2024— Today, the Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technology, situated within Stanford Law School, had the distinct honor of hosting a high-level delegation from the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Stanford RQT Founding Director Mauritz Kop had the pleasure of welcoming Her Excellency Birgitta Tazelaar, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United States, and the Honorable Theo Peters, Consul General of the Netherlands in San Francisco, for a series of critical discussions at the intersection of technology, governance, and international security.

The delegation, which also included Attaché for Innovation, Science and Technology Coen Damen, Senior Advisor for Innovation, Technology & Science Tyrone Pater, and Economic Affairs Associate Jasmijn Al Kenany, engaged with our Center on the most pressing challenges and opportunities presented by exponential technologies. This visit underscores the deepening transatlantic dialogue on responsible innovation and the shared commitment of the United States and the Netherlands to forging a future where technological advancement aligns with democratic values and global stability.

A Delegation of Diplomatic Experience

The breadth of the delegation’s expertise provided a rich foundation for our conversations. Ambassador Tazelaar brings three decades of diplomatic experience in political affairs, human rights, and development cooperation. Her distinguished career includes serving as Deputy Director-General for International Cooperation at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director of the North Africa and Middle East Department, and as a political counselor at the Dutch Embassy in London, where her portfolio included NATO and nuclear security issues. This extensive background in navigating complex geopolitical landscapes proved invaluable to our discussions on international treaties and security frameworks for emerging technologies.

Consul General Theo Peters, who represents the Netherlands across the 13 westernmost states, has a wide-ranging background covering security policy, political affairs, and economic trade. A core part of his mission is to connect the Dutch government and its innovation ecosystem with key partners on the US West Coast, particularly in high-tech sectors. His academic credentials, including an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School, and prior diplomatic postings in Tokyo and as Ambassador to Senegal and several other West African nations, provided a global perspective on innovation models and economic security.

Cybersecurity, strategic competition and innovation policy

The delegation's specialists brought further focus. Mr. Damen's work on innovation policies, space, and cyber, and his professional interest in how state policy can foster balanced and ecologically sound economic growth, directly informed our dialogue on national strategies. Mr. Pater, also a Tech Diplomacy Fellow at the UC Berkeley Risk & Security Lab, focuses on how like-minded countries can collaboratively stimulate research in critical areas like AI and cybersecurity to address international strategic competition and enhance research and economic security. Ms. Al Kenany, who is pursuing a Master of Science in Cyber Governance at Leiden University, contributed a vital perspective on the role of tech diplomacy in strengthening international relations and ensuring that the benefits of emerging technologies are democratized while safeguarding global security.

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Stanford Law’s Jin-Hee Lee, Katie Liu and Mauritz Kop visit Caltech Quantum Research Center
Stanford Law’s Jin-Hee Lee, Katie Liu and Mauritz Kop visit Caltech Quantum Research Center

Pasadena, CA – On July 6, 2024, a team from the Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technology (RQT) embarked on a research field trip to the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), one of the world's preeminent hubs for quantum science research. This visit, part of an ongoing collaboration between the two world-leading institutions, was a crucial exercise in bridging the gap between the deeply technical world of quantum research and the complex legal, ethical, and societal frameworks required to govern it. The delegation, consisting of RQT Founding Director Mauritz Kop, RQT Fellow Jin-Hee Lee, and Research Assistant to the Director Katie Liu, traveled from Stanford to the heart of Southern California to engage directly with the scientists and engineers who are building the future of quantum. The visit was hosted by RQT Fellow Franz Pfanner, a PhD candidate at Caltech, and focused on the groundbreaking work being done at Caltech's Institute for Quantum Information and Matter (IQIM).

The day was dedicated to exploring the groundbreaking work being done at Caltech's Institute for Quantum Information and Matter (IQIM), a flagship research center led by Professor Manuel Endres, within the university's prestigious Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy. This visit underscores the RQT Center's commitment to fostering a deeply interdisciplinary dialogue, ensuring that the development of responsible quantum governance is informed by a hands-on understanding of the technology itself.

The Epicenter of Quantum Innovation: Caltech's IQIM

Caltech stands as a global powerhouse in quantum research, and at its core is the Institute for Quantum Information and Matter (IQIM). Under the leadership of Professor Manuel Endres, IQIM is dedicated to exploring the frontiers of quantum science, from the fundamental physics of quantum information to the development of novel quantum materials and devices. The institute's work is organized around several Major Activities (MAs), each tackling a different facet of the quantum puzzle.

Bridging Quantum Theory and Society: The Stanford RQT Projects

The visit to Caltech provided a rich technical context for the work being done by the Stanford RQT team, whose projects are focused on the human and societal dimensions of this emerging technological revolution.

Jin-Hee Lee, an RQT Fellow, is pioneering research in the nascent field of Quantum Human-Computer Interaction (Q-HCI). Her project addresses a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of the quantum future: how will humans interact with these powerful and counterintuitive machines? As quantum computers move beyond the binary logic of classical computing and into the probabilistic realm of qubits and superposition, the interfaces through which we engage with them must be completely re-imagined. Jin-Hee's work, guided by the ELSPI (Ethical, Legal, Social, and Policy Implications) framework, aims to ensure that these interfaces are not only functional but also accessible, intuitive, and ethically designed, preventing the creation of a new digital divide and keeping humanity at the center of the quantum age.

Katie Liu, a Research Assistant at the RQT Center, is focusing on the intersection of quantum technology and neuroscience. Her project, "Responsible Quantum AI in Healthcare – Neurotechnology and Beyond," explores the transformative potential of quantum AI (QAI) to enhance diagnostics and treatments for complex neurological conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Using the SEA (Safeguarding, Engaging, Advancing) principles as her guide, Katie is investigating how quantum algorithms can analyze the vast datasets generated by neuroimaging and real-time brain monitoring to create personalized treatment plans. Her research also addresses the profound ethical challenges of this work, from ensuring patient data privacy through quantum-resistant encryption to mitigating the dual-use risks of advanced neurotechnology.

A Cross-pollination of Disciplines and a Moment of Reflection

Following the intellectually stimulating day at Caltech, the Stanford delegation visited The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, taking time to reflect in the serene beauty of the Chinese Garden. The garden, with its intricate design and harmonious balance of natural and man-made elements, served as a powerful metaphor for the work ahead: building a responsible quantum future requires a similar blend of technical ingenuity, ethical foresight, and a deep appreciation for the human values we seek to preserve and enhance.

The journey to a quantum-enabled world is just beginning. But as the collaboration between institutions like Stanford and Caltech demonstrates, by working together across disciplines, we can ensure that this powerful new chapter in human history is written not with reckless abandon, but with wisdom, responsibility, and a shared commitment to the common good.

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2nd Annual Stanford Responsible Quantum Technology Conference: Summary of Core Themes and Selected Highlights
2nd Annual Stanford Responsible Quantum Technology Conference: Summary of Core Themes and Selected Highlights

The 2nd annual Stanford Responsible Quantum Technology Conference convened by the Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technology and expertly orchestrated by its Executive Director Mauritz Kop, provided a broad overview of the latest developments in quantum technology, with a focus on quantum simulation. It brought together a diverse and interdisciplinary group of experts from the US and Europe – united in their interest in responsible development and use of second-generation quantum technologies – to discuss innovations, challenges, and future directions in this emerging space. The conference included both in-depth presentations and far-ranging panel discussions, with artistic and musical performances interspersed as alternative spaces of approximation and exploration.

The following write-up by Constanze Albrecht does not aim to offer a comprehensive overview of the wealth of perspectives and insights shared at the conference. Instead, it introduces some of the conference’s core themes by summarizing some of the anchor presentations and is intended as an invitation to readers to dive deeper into the conference materials and videos posted online.

Technological Advancements and Market Dynamics

One of the standout presentations was “Project Quantum Leap: Quantum Computing Innovation—Patenting Trends Innovation & Policy Implications” by Mateo Aboy. This presentation offered an in-depth empirical study of the intellectual property landscape in quantum computing. He emphasized the necessity of evidence-based IP studies to inform policy and innovation governance in this rapidly evolving field. Aboy revealed significant growth in quantum computing patents over the past two decades, particularly noting an uptick since 2014, with patents mainly focuses on physical realizations, quantum circuits, error correction, and quantum algorithms. This surge reflects the increased involvement of diverse entities, including universities, startups, and established corporations.

The presentation further highlighted the critical role of international harmonization in patent laws and the importance of public disclosures in advancing technology. Mateo Aboy also explored the state-of-the-art applications of quantum computing in healthcare, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize both fundamental and clinical research despite being in its early stages. He concluded with a call for a balanced regulatory approach that promotes technological advancement while safeguarding against potential risks, underscoring the need for proactive policy measures.

Quantum Use Cases in Healthcare and Life Sciences

In this context, a fascinating panel discussion moderated by Hank Greely offered a deep dive into the applications and use cases of quantum technology in the health and life sciences. Mateo Aboy, Glenn Cohen, Timo Minssen and Victoria Ward examined the transformative potential of quantum computing, sensing, and simulation in enhancing diagnostic tools, personalizing treatment plans, and accelerating drug discovery processes. The discussions also addressed market dynamics, highlighting the competitive landscape and the strategic positioning of key players in the quantum technology market. The panelists underscored the importance of fostering a robust innovation ecosystem that supports the growth of startups and encourages collaboration between academia, industry, and government bodies.

Providing insight into the technical aspects of quantum technology innovation, Mark Brongersma, Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University, presented cutting-edge research at the intersection of materials science and quantum technology. His presentation focused on developing and analyzing nanostructured materials for nanoscale electronic and photonic devices. Key research topics included nanophotonics, which enhances light manipulation at the subwavelength scale, and microcavity resonators, which confine light to boost light-matter interactions. This pioneering work paves the way for future innovations that could revolutionize current sensing and simulation technologies.

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Stanford Center for Law and the Biosciences: BioLawLaPaLooZa 2023-2024
Stanford Center for Law and the Biosciences: BioLawLaPaLooZa 2023-2024

For those deeply engaged in the intricate intersections of law, life sciences, and ethics, Professor Hank Greely’s annual BioLawLaPaLooza at Stanford Law School stands as an intellectual cornerstone. It is a vibrant, informal, yet deeply substantive gathering that brings together leading scholars to test new ideas, debate emerging challenges, and build the collaborative bridges essential for navigating our complex technological future. As a speaker and the photographer for the 2023 and 2024 editions, Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technologie Founder Mauritz Kop had the distinct pleasure of documenting and participating in these vital conversations. This post offers a reflection on and tribute to these remarkable events, which serve as a testament to the foresight and community-building spirit of Stanford’s Center for Law and the Biosciences.

The Center for Law and the Biosciences (CLB): A Foundation for Interdisciplinary Dialogue

Before delving into the events themselves, it is essential to understand the institution that makes them possible. The Stanford Center for Law and the Biosciences (CLB), under the direction of Hank Greely, has long been a preeminent academic hub for exploring the legal and ethical quandaries posed by advances in the life sciences. Alongside the Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics at Harvard University, directed by Professor I. Glenn Cohen, the CLB stands as one of the world's leading institutions in this domain. The Center's mission is to foster interdisciplinary research, educate the next generation of leaders in law and science, and inform public policy on topics ranging from genetics and neuroscience to reproductive technologies and AI in healthcare.

The CLB's history is marked by influential scholarship, a distinguished roster of fellows and faculty, and a commitment to public engagement. Its fellowship program has proven to be a successful launchpad, with former fellows frequently securing positions as professors and becoming influential scholars in their own right. Its publications consistently shape academic discourse and provide critical guidance to policymakers. BioLawLaPaLooza is the embodiment of the Center’s mission, creating an environment where complex ideas can be presented and scrutinized in a collegial, fast-paced format. The event’s structure—short, sharp presentations followed by engaged discussion—ensures a breadth and depth of intellectual exchange that is both rare and invaluable.

The Journal of Law and the Biosciences: A Premier Scholarly Venue

Further extending the intellectual ecosystem of which the CLB is a part is the Journal of Law and the Biosciences (JLB). As the first peer-reviewed academic journal focused on the intersection of law and the life sciences, JLB serves as the premier venue for scholarship in this field. It is a co-publication of Duke University, Harvard University Law School, and Stanford University, published by Oxford University Press. The journal's leadership reflects the collaborative and interdisciplinary spirit of the field, with Editors-in-Chief Professor Nita Farahany (Duke), Professor I. Glenn Cohen (Harvard), and Professor Hank Greely (Stanford). Many of the scholars who present their nascent ideas at BioLawLaPaLooza are also contributors to and readers of the journal, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between the conference and the formal academic literature. https://academic.oup.com/jlb

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Mauritz Kop Keynote Speaker at Quantum Governance Workshop at Arizona State University's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
Mauritz Kop Keynote Speaker at Quantum Governance Workshop at Arizona State University's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law

Phoenix, Arizona—On May 15, 2024, the Center for Law, Science & Innovation at Arizona State University's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law hosted a timely Workshop on Quantum Governance, bringing together a diverse group of experts to chart a course for the responsible development of quantum technologies. Mauritz Kop, Founding Director of the Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technology, delivered the keynote address, setting the tone for a day of critical and forward-looking discussions.

Hosted at ASU's Beus Center for Law and Society in beautiful Phoenix, the workshop provided an ideal academic setting for this crucial conversation. ASU's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law is renowned for its focus on the intersection of law, science, and innovation, making it a natural hub for exploring thecomplex governance challenges presented by quantum's second revolution.

Kop's Keynote: Towards Responsible Quantum Technology Governance

In his keynote address, Mauritz Kop presented a comprehensive vision for establishing robust governance frameworks before quantum technology becomes widely integrated into society. He argued that the world must proactively prevent the missteps seen in the governance of previous transformative technologies like artificial intelligence, genetics, and nuclear power.

Kop's talk, "Towards Responsible Quantum Technology Governance," articulated the profound dual-use nature of the field. He detailed the immense potential benefits, from enhancing medical imaging and accelerating drug discovery to mitigating climate change and improving macroeconomic policy-making. Simultaneously, he outlined the significant risks, including the "Q-Day" threat to global cybersecurity, the potential for a new quantum arms race, and the dangers of misuse by authoritarian regimes for mass surveillance.

Learning from AI, Biosciences, and Nanotech

A core theme of the workshop, championed by host Professor Gary Marchant, was the importance of drawing lessons from the governance of prior technological waves. Professor Marchant, a leading scholar in the governance of emerging technologies, and other speakers presented valuable analyses of the successes and failures in regulating fields like biotechnology, nanotechnology, and AI.

A Synergy of Interdisciplinary Expertise

The workshop's strength lay in its rich diversity of speakers. The agenda featured experts from law, computer science, government, and industry, ensuring a holistic and multifaceted discussion. Presentations from Kaniah Konkoly-Thege of Quantinuum on regulatory developments, Jeffery Atik of Loyola Law School on antitrust implications, Royal "Aubrey" Davis of the United States Air Force Academy on historical approaches to transformative technologies, and Megan Wagner & Sarah Wastek from Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law on Governance Lessons from Nanotechnology, among others, created a vibrant intellectual exchange. This collaborative environment is essential for developing governance solutions that are not only technically sound but also legally robust and ethically grounded.

A Lasting Contribution: The Workshop Paper

A significant outcome of this collaborative event is the group-authored paper, "Learning From Emerging Technology Governance for Guiding Quantum Technology," which is available on SSRN here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4923230. The paper synthesizes the insights and discussions from the workshop, providing a comprehensive roadmap for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers. It serves as a durable and influential contribution to the global dialogue on quantum governance, outlining actionable strategies for fostering innovation while ensuring safety, equity, and accountability.

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Mauritz Kop and Mark Lemley Host Canadian Quantum Governance Delegation at Stanford RQT to Inform its G7 Presidency
Mauritz Kop and Mark Lemley Host Canadian Quantum Governance Delegation at Stanford RQT to Inform its G7 Presidency

Stanford, CA, May 8, 2024—Today, the Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technology (RQT) had the privilege of hosting a distinguished Canadian delegation for a critical dialogue on the future of quantum governance. The meeting, held at Stanford Law School, was a pivotal moment for shaping the international policy landscape for these transformative technologies. Professor Mark Lemley and Executive Director Mauritz Kop were honored to welcome senior officials from Global Affairs Canada, the nation’s foreign ministry, for a conversation designed to inform Canada’s quantum policy development efforts ahead of its G7 Presidency in 2025.

A Convergence of Expertise in Law, Technology, and Diplomacy

The success of such a dialogue hinges on the diverse expertise of its participants. On behalf of the Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technology, its Founding Director Mauritz Kop was pleased to co-host the session. Professor Kop’s work, which focuses on the ethical, legal, social, and policy implications (ELSPI) of quantum technologies, AI, and cybersecurity, has included serving as a member of the Expert Panel on the Responsible Adoption of Quantum Technologies for the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA). This role provided a direct link to the foundational research shaping Canada's domestic and international quantum strategy.

Kop was joined by his esteemed colleague, 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. As one of the world's preeminent scholars in intellectual property and technology law, Professor Lemley’s insights into innovation, competition, and the legal structures that govern emerging technologies were indispensable to our discussions on incubating startups and navigating the complex IP landscape of the quantum sector.

A Foundation in Evidence: The Council of Canadian Academies' Quantum Potential Report

Our discussions at Stanford did not occur in a vacuum. They were built upon a solid foundation of evidence-based analysis, most notably the 2023 Quantum Potential report from the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA). As a member of the expert panel that authored this report, chaired by the esteemed Professor Raymond Laflamme of the University of Waterloo, Professor Kop was able to directly infuse its findings into our dialogue.

The CCA’s Quantum Potential report was commissioned by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) to assess the opportunities and challenges of quantum adoption in Canada. The report provided a clear-eyed assessment, warning that while the potential is transformative, significant scientific and engineering obstacles remain. It highlighted critical national security risks, particularly the potential for a fault-tolerant quantum computer to "undermine the digital infrastructure that underpins key areas of everyday life" and "jeopardize data privacy and security".

Crucially, the report championed a proactive and responsible approach to governance, framed through the lens of "Quantum ELSPI"—the ethical, legal, social, and policy implications of the technology.

The Culmination: The G7 Kananaskis Common Vision on Quantum

The journey from academic analysis and focused diplomatic engagement to international consensus reached its apex on June 17, 2025. Drawing upon the preparatory work from the CCA, the insights from our meeting at Stanford, and extensive multilateral consultations, the Government of Canada, during its G7 Presidency, unveiled the Kananaskis Common Vision for the Future of Quantum Technologies.

This declaration represents a landmark achievement in global technology governance and directly reflects the principles and priorities discussed at our Center. The document acknowledges both the "transformative benefits" of quantum technologies and their "far-reaching implications for national and international security". Echoing the core themes of our dialogue and scholarship, the G7 leaders committed to a set of shared principles that build directly on the work of the RQT community and the CCA report.

G7 Joint Working Group on Quantum Technologies

The meeting with the Canadian delegation at the Stanford Center for Responsible Quantum Technology was a profound demonstration of how academia can effectively inform and shape public policy on a global scale. It showcased a direct pathway from flagship scholarship like the “Ten principles for Responsible Quantum Innovation” and foundational reports like the CCA's Quantum Potential, through focused expert dialogues, to the codification of international norms in a G7 leaders' declaration. We are proud to have played a role in this vital process and look forward to continued collaboration with our Canadian partners and the new G7 Joint Working Group on Quantum Technologies to build a future where quantum technology unfolds responsibly, securely, and for the benefit of all humanity.

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