Over the past decades computing capacity has grown exponentially and has thereby increased its potential to help solving societal challenges. With the evolution of quantum computing this potential is expected to expand because quantum computers will be able to tackle specific calculation problems. This can be used ‘for good’ in all kinds of areas for example medicine, green energy, supply chain management and security. Thus, experimenting with quantum computers is of considerable interest to all kinds of organizations.

However, full-fledged quantum computers are not here yet. Their development requires big investments in money, time and effort. Hence, access to quantum computing facilities is scarce and will be subject to all kinds of constraints. There are multiple questions which arise in this space such as which parties should obtain ‘access priority’. By what criteria should these parties be selected? Which ethical and legal considerations play a role in the issue of accessibility?

To tackle these questions REAQT (REsponsible Advancement of Quantum Technology), a think tank composed of the organizations SURF, TNO Vector, ECP | Platform for the Information Society, Rathenau Institute and the Centre for Quantum and Society – assembled a research team from the University of Amsterdam, TU Delft and SURF.

The team conducted a workshop with identified stakeholders and reported the legal and ethical aspects of the access issue, based on a concrete case: SURF will soon host a 16-qubit quantum computer in Amsterdam as part of the EuroSSQ-HPC program.

The participants were presented with the applicable legal framework and ethical values in this case. This led to the identification of space for deliberation and policy action. The participants acknowledged the nascent stage of the technology and discussed access accordingly. They identified the value of regional, global and commercial partnerships to provide broad access. They also agreed upon the shifting priorities and uses of the technology with its maturity which should inform the decisions for its allocation. Further, the parties were willing to use the service commercially and for commercial ends. Lastly, the participants acknowledged the myriad security concerns of the technology and highlighted the importance to create a mechanism which can ensure security, across multiple levels.

Although these insights and knowledge gained from the workshop are intriguing by themselves, the paper must be read as conversation starter and as a call to action to other organizations to do similar types of assessments since the topic of access will be pressing on strategic agenda’s worldwide for the coming years.

Willing to do a workshop or getting in contact to elaborate further? Please contact REAQT, hosted by the Centre for Quantum and Society, at Diederick.Croese@quantumdelta.nl