Governance Strategies for Emerging Quantum Tech

In a Policy Forum, Mateo Aboy and colleagues argue that, instead of turning immediately to rigid regulation to govern emerging quantum technologies, the community should apply a standards-based governance approach tailored to the early, technically focused stage of development. Quantum technologies are poised to revolutionize everything from computing to medicine, offering performance leaps that far surpass the limits of current systems. Yet, this promise comes with complex governance challenges, as these powerful tools may be used for both beneficial and harmful purposes, such as improving medical diagnostics or undermining global cybersecurity as an encryption-breaking tool. Rather than relying on rigid regulation, Aboy et al. advocate for a different approach to governance. According to the authors, international standards, such as those developed by organizations like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), could provide a governance framework that ensures safe and fair innovation and use. Drawing on these examples, Aboy et al. recommend establishing a Quantum Technology Quality Management System (QT-QMS) to oversee the design, implementation, and full lifecycle of quantum technologies. This framework would incorporate well-established standards, such as ISO 27001 for information security and ISO 42001 for AI governance, while proactively addressing emerging challenges like post-quantum cryptography and quantum-AI convergence. Although standards are not a complete solution on their own, the authors note that when combined with focused regulatory measures and global collaboration, they could serve as a robust foundation for guiding responsible and inclusive advancement in quantum technology.