At the heart of this strategy lies the recognition that quantum technologies are extraordinarily complex, integrating principles of quantum mechanics into information processing devices, cryptographic protocols, and communication systems. Unlike nascent AI regulations, which often outpaced the establishment of clear technical standards, adopting legal restrictions before stabilizing technical norms risks engendering regulatory ambiguity and stifling innovation. By foregrounding the development of robust international standards, stakeholders can define precise criteria for security, interoperability, and performance, thereby enabling clearer regulatory pathways and fostering global trust.

Historical experiences with complex technology governance highlight the efficacy of standards as precursors to regulation. The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) has long established vital information security standards, facilitating consistent data protection practices across myriad industries. Similarly, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has defined safety benchmarks for medical electrical devices, ensuring patient and user protection worldwide. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) engineered the technical bedrock of Wi-Fi, harmonizing device interoperability across manufacturers. These precedents underscore how comprehensive standards not only secure functionality and safety but also cultivate consumer confidence and facilitate market adoption.

Presently, a spectrum of standardization efforts targeting quantum technologies is underway. Early 2024 witnessed the creation of Joint Technical Committee 3 (JTC 3) by ISO and IEC, dedicated to foundational standards encompassing quantum computing architectures, quantum communication protocols, and related subfields. Simultaneously, the IEEE, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) are advancing norms addressing post-quantum cryptography resilience, hardware interoperability, security benchmarks, and performance metrics. These initiatives represent concerted international attempts to harmonize and codify quantum technological advances in a rapidly shifting landscape.

Building on these foundational efforts, the authors propose establishing a certifiable Quality Management System (QMS) tailored expressly to quantum technologies. This system transcends conventional product-based certifications by focusing on the processes and management frameworks within organizations. It encompasses not only technical dimensions like quantum device stability and security assurances but also integrates legal, ethical, and socially consequential considerations into the lifecycle of development and deployment. Independent third-party certification bodies such as TÜV could validate compliance once standards are firmly articulated, thereby institutionalizing transparency, accountability, and a culture of quality across the quantum technology sector.

This standards-first approach also carries geopolitical significance. At a time when quantum supremacy promises both strategic advantage and economic leverage, fostering international consensus on standards can serve as a platform for dialogue and cooperation, even among actors with competing interests such as China, the United States, and the European Union. Standard-setting organizations act as forums that transcend political divisions by engaging domain experts in neutral technical deliberations. Moreover, these “soft laws” offer adaptability, allowing swift updates in response to emergent scientific breakthroughs, thereby enhancing regulatory agility and innovation capacity without compromising safety or ethical norms.

Detractors might question the democratic legitimacy of such technocratic standardization processes, which typically differ from traditional legislative procedures. However, modern standard bodies operate inclusively, assembling diverse stakeholders—industry leaders, academia, civil society organizations, and governmental representatives—across national and international levels. Increasingly, these groups deliberate not merely on technical specifications but also embed ethical principles, human rights protections, and social equity considerations into the framework. For instance, emerging standards address data privacy, security mandates, and inclusion, reflecting a broader conceptualization of technology governance that aligns with societal values.

Nonetheless, the authors acknowledge valid critiques regarding potential imbalances within standardization paradigms, notably the disproportionate influence wielded by economically dominant entities and underrepresentation of marginalized voices. These concerns are actively being addressed, as exemplified by ongoing attempts within European AI standards development to elevate civil society’s role and foreground fundamental rights debates. Such reflexive governance adjustments enhance legitimacy while ensuring that standards remain responsive and socially attuned.

Importantly, the standards-first model does not supplant traditional political regulation but rather complements and informs it. Standards function as foundational technical blueprints upon which democratically elected bodies can craft legally binding policies, tailored to specific national contexts and societal discourses. By embedding transparency, accountability, and flexibility early in the technological development trajectory, this approach cultivates an innovation ecosystem that respects both dynamism and democratic oversight.

Given the accelerating pace of quantum research and the anticipatory nature of its applications—from quantum-enhanced artificial intelligence algorithms to ultra-secure communication networks—the imperative for proactive governance has never been greater. The synergy between technical standards and legal frameworks promises not only to mitigate risks such as privacy breaches and systemic vulnerabilities but also to unlock the transformative potential of quantum technologies across health care, finance, energy, and beyond.

In conclusion, the conceptual shift toward prioritizing international standardization in quantum technology governance represents a visionary melding of technical rigor, ethical commitment, and pragmatic policy design. By rallying global expertise and fostering inclusive multi-stakeholder collaboration, the proposed quality management frameworks and soft-law mechanisms offer a blueprint for steering quantum innovations responsively and responsibly. As these extraordinary technologies transition from laboratory curiosities to commercial realities, embedding trustworthiness and accountability from the outset will determine whether their profound promise can be harnessed for equitable and sustainable societal benefit.

Subject of Research: Not applicable

Article Title: Quantum technology governance: A standards-first approach

News Publication Date: 7-Aug-2025

Web References:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.adw0018

References:
Gasser, U., Aboy, M., Cohen, I. G., Kop, M. (2025). Quantum technology governance: A standards-first approach. Science. DOI: 10.1126/science.adw0018

Image Credits:
Andreas Heddergott / Technical University of Munich (TUM)

Keywords:
Quantum technologies, governance, standards, quality management system, international cooperation, regulation, interoperability, security, ethical considerations, quantum computing, post-quantum cryptography, technology policy

Quantum devices harness the principles of quantum mechanics—superposition, entanglement, and quantum tunneling—to perform tasks that classical systems find fundamentally infeasible. Quantum computers, for instance, hold the potential to solve certain classes of problems exponentially faster than their classical counterparts. This leap forward promises advancements from drug discovery by simulating molecular interactions with unprecedented accuracy to optimizing complex logistical systems. Nevertheless, these innovations usher in an array of governance challenges, particularly due to the dual-use nature of the technology. While quantum breakthroughs could enhance cybersecurity, they might also catalyze capabilities to undermine encryption methods that currently safeguard global information infrastructure.

The authors argue that immediately imposing rigid regulations could stifle the exploratory phase, where the technology’s parameters and applications are still shaping up. Instead, a carefully tailored governance framework based on international standards could provide the necessary guardrails without curbing experimentation and development. International bodies such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) have long demonstrated success in developing standards that balance innovation with safety and ethical considerations across various technological domains.

Aboy and colleagues propose the establishment of a Quantum Technology Quality Management System (QT-QMS), a comprehensive governance model designed to oversee the full lifecycle of quantum technologies—from conception and design to deployment and eventual decommissioning. This system would leverage existing standards like ISO 27001, which addresses information security management, and ISO 42001, focused on governance frameworks surrounding artificial intelligence. By integrating these standards, QT-QMS aspires to build a resilient architecture that can evolve alongside emerging quantum challenges.

One of the foremost technical hurdles QT-QMS aims to address is the impending crisis in cryptography precipitated by the advent of quantum computers capable of breaking widely used encryption algorithms through Shor’s algorithm. Post-quantum cryptographic techniques, which are believed to be secure against quantum attacks, remain under active research and require standardized evaluation and implementation frameworks. The QT-QMS framework would proactively integrate these cryptographic innovations to ensure communication and data security remain robust in a quantum-enabled era.

Moreover, the governance system acknowledges the convergence between quantum technologies and artificial intelligence (AI). This intersection raises novel complexities, including the potential for quantum-enhanced AI to outpace human decision-making or exacerbate existing biases embedded within algorithmic systems. By applying combined standards from both quantum and AI governance domains, QT-QMS aims to establish transparent, fair, and accountable controls on the deployment of quantum-AI hybrid systems.

Global collaboration remains a central pillar in the authors’ vision. Given the inherently international nature of quantum research and its implications for national security and economic competitiveness, unilateral regulations risk fragmentation and inefficiencies. A harmonized standards-first approach, developed through multilateral cooperation, promises to create interoperable frameworks that foster equitable innovation and reduce the likelihood of regulatory arbitrage.

The proposed governance structure does not view standards as a panacea but rather as a foundational tool that, when coupled with targeted regulation and continuous cross-sector dialogue, can meaningfully guide the ethical advancement of quantum technologies. This agile model addresses the fast-evolving technical landscape while building public trust through transparent oversight and clear responsibility mechanisms among stakeholders.

Furthermore, integrating quality management principles within the quantum domain ensures that organizations develop consistent processes for managing risk, ensuring compliance, and fostering continuous improvement. These practices have long benefited other cutting-edge technologies where safety, reliability, and ethical considerations are paramount, setting a precedent for quantum technology’s maturation.

Importantly, the standards-first approach fosters inclusivity by creating accessible frameworks that support not only established quantum research hubs but also emerging players worldwide. Ensuring diverse contributions and perspectives helps mitigate technological monopolization and promotes broader societal benefits, aligning with global commitments toward responsible innovation.

As the quantum revolution unfolds, the governance community faces the dual imperative of accelerating innovation while preempting misuse. The insights offered by Aboy et al. highlight a strategic pathway to achieving this balance by embedding governance within the structural fabric of the technology itself through established standards and quality systems.

Ultimately, this governance model aspires to underpin a future where quantum technologies deliver on their immense promise safely, equitably, and sustainably. The article lays a conceptual blueprint that the scientific community, policymakers, and industry stakeholders can collaboratively refine as the quantum domain extends beyond theoretical curiosity into pervasive societal impact.

The urgency and ambition of adopting a standards-first governance approach leave no doubt: the future of quantum technology depends not only on scientific breakthroughs but equally on the frameworks that cultivate responsible stewardship from inception to legacy.

Subject of Research: Quantum Technology Governance and Standards-Based Regulatory Frameworks
Article Title: Quantum technology governance: a standards-first approach
News Publication Date: 7-Aug-2025
Web References: 10.1126/science.adw0018
Keywords: Quantum technologies, governance, standards, ISO 27001, ISO 42001, Quantum Technology Quality Management System (QT-QMS), post-quantum cryptography, quantum-AI convergence, ethical innovation, international collaboration, cybersecurity