Today marks the launch of the NQCC’s Quantum STATES principles: our commitment to responsible and ethical quantum computing, throughout all that we do.
At the NQCC, our vision is to enable the UK to solve some of the most complex and challenging problems facing society by harnessing the potential of quantum computing. From optimisation in healthcare and critical infrastructure, to developing new medicines, and solving climate challenges, quantum computing could unlock new possibilities. However, it may also present risks, both known and unknown.
At this pivotal moment in quantum computing’s evolution, the NQCC is committed to ensuring a responsible and ethical approach to its development and use. We define responsible and ethical quantum computing as the development and use of quantum computing in a way that pro-actively seeks to ensure societal good. By embedding responsible and ethical quantum computing from the outset, we can manage risks, oversee equitable distribution of benefits, and harness quantum computing’s potentially transformative capabilities to deliver a brighter future for all.
The NQCC’s Quantum STATES principles
To serve as a foundation for responsible and ethical development and use of quantum computing, we have developed the NQCC’s Quantum STATES principles. Our principles are informed by our technical expertise and research into the wider societal and ethical implications of quantum computing, and were developed through a collaborative process, with input across our stakeholders. With the Quantum STATES principles as guidance, we strive to embed responsible and ethical quantum computing throughout all that we do.
Societally beneficial
Develop quantum computing capabilities for the benefit of society, taking a pro-active and responsible approach.
At the NQCC, we pro-actively seek to understand the potential future impacts and implications of quantum computing on wider society, addressing risks and maximising opportunities for good. To enable this forward-looking approach, we leverage our own technical and ethical expertise, and engage inclusively to inform the future trajectory of innovation.
Trusted
Be a trusted voice, sharing our knowledge with the quantum computing community and wider society.
We take our role as a trusted and trustworthy source of information seriously, recognising the importance of responsible communication. Through our research on quantum computing technology and its wider societal and ethical implications, we strive to further collective understanding. We aim for accessibility in our knowledge-sharing, and dispel hype through unbiased and informed assurance on quantum computing capabilities and impact.
Accountable
Recognise our responsibility to the wider community, and hold ourselves accountable for our actions throughout our activities.
We recognise our role, remit, and responsibility to the wider community. We put in place mechanisms to ensure the responsible and ethical development and use of quantum computing throughout our activities, share our efforts to demonstrate our commitment, and champion a responsible approach among our collaborators and the quantum community.
Transparent and explainable
Provide transparency and explainability in the quantum computing systems we develop, procure, and use, and in our decision-making.
We believe transparency and explainability are vital to build trust in quantum computing technology. To this end, we are committed to open and honest communication on the capabilities and limitations of quantum computing, as well as clarity on our decision-making processes. In our applications development, we recognise the importance of explainability, particularly where our technology is used to inform important decisions, and seek to enable understanding across society.
Equitable, fair, and inclusive
Embed fairness, and inclusivity into our activities, working to build a diverse community in which quantum computing benefits are equitability distributed.
We are committed to a future in which all of society can benefit from quantum computing, and work to embed equitability and fairness into our technology and processes. We take steps to identify disproportional impacts and biases, with consideration to vulnerable communities. We also ensure that our resources are allocated and distributed fairly. Recognising the importance of a diverse community, we provide inclusive opportunities to learn and participate.
Safe, reliable, and secure
Build and test for safety, reliability, and security.
We build our technology for safety, reliability, and security, and test before use. We put in place appropriate mitigation mechanisms against harms to humans and the environment. Recognising the importance of privacy as a key aspect of this, we promote and uphold best practice in data governance and information security.
How we will deliver on our principles
Our efforts on responsible and ethical quantum computing (REQC) are already well underway. We work to champion, enable, and advance research on REQC, across three pillars.
Firstly, we carry out research on societal, ethical, and policy considerations, contributing to the emerging field of responsible quantum research, and sharing our understanding with the quantum computing community.
Secondly, we work to enable a responsible approach throughout the quantum computing community, engaging with industry, academia and National Quantum Technologies Programme partners. The Responsible Quantum Industry Forum is one example. Another is the NQCC’s annual UK Quantum Hackathon, which incorporates REQC as a core component, training a new generation of quantum computing researchers to consider and address societal and ethical considerations to innovate responsibly.
Our final pillar is embedding and operationalising REQC within the NQCC. Our principles help to guide us towards a responsible and ethical approach. We strive to deliver on our principles, embedding them into our activities and decision-making processes. However, we also recognise that situations may arise where individual principles are in tension with one another. In such cases, we will carefully consider and address on a case-by-case basis, drawing on our combined expertise.
As quantum computing technology evolves, we are also committed to monitoring the impact and suitability of our principles. In doing so, we can continue to deliver on our commitment to responsible and ethical quantum computing in the context of new technological development, emerging implications, and societal challenges, ensuring a positive trajectory.
To help us understand how to put the Quantum STATES principles into practice, we recently ran two phases of workshops across all NQCC teams. The first phase aimed to achieve collective understanding of and commitment to the principles. Each of our teams reflected on the wider implications of their own and the NQCC’s work, identifying who might be impacted and how, and what key considerations should be taken forward. The second phase focused on operationalising, with each team inputting into how best the STATES principles could be put into practice in the context of their own work.
Our next step is to build on this work to identify an action plan to operationalise and embed the Quantum STATES principles throughout our own activities, including our future funding calls, collaborative programmes, and research and development projects.
We plan to share our efforts with the wider community in order to demonstrate our own commitments; enable and champion responsible and ethical quantum computing efforts externally; and build trust amongst the wider community. In doing so, our aim is to ensure quantum computing’s potentially transformative capabilities can be harnessed for the good of all.