Digital Journal’s Editor-at-Large for Science Calls for Ethical Code for Quantum Computing

(DigitalJournal) *Dr. Tim Sandle, Digital Journal’s Editor-at-Large for science news calls for an ethical code for quantum computing in his editorial summarized here by IQT-News.
Sandle explains: Across the spectrum, from national security to medicine, from communications to finance, the potential for quantum technology to change the world is unprecedented. Quantum computers use quantum phenomena such as superposition and entanglement to perform computations that can vastly outperform classical computers at many tasks. This will present new opportunities for innovation, such as in chemistry and in solving new materials problems.
With ethics, quantum computing has the possibility of being used as a force to a good or a force for wrongdoing. If humanity acquires a technology, which can do whatever has been possible with the previous tech for 10 000 years in minutes (which is the case with quantum technology), it will be difficult to anticipate all the outcomes and each of the paths that the technology will take. An ethical framework will at least help to steer the technology in its early days across the right path.
With the environmental aspects, there is, at the moment, a general acceptance of the need to develop an agreed framework to address and define these values. In a rare show of unity, scientists from top tech giants such as Google, IBM, Intel and startups alike have set out what the quantum technology industry needs to prioritize to address global sustainability issues.
*Dr. Tim Sandle specializes in science, technology, environmental, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.