Quantum technologies

Over the past five years, worldwide interest in quantum technologies has intensified. Numerous patents on innovations have been filed and public institutions are continually increasing the amount of funds invested in research. Competition between the US, China, Japan and Europe is fierce. Switzerland, too, occupies a leading position in research and development in the field. TA-SWISS is monitoring the advances in applied quantum technologies in order to determine the best time for a TA study on the topic. The aim of such a study would be to identify and examine the consequences the new technologies have for our society at an early stage in their development. Now, a new TA-SWISS position paper provides an initial overview of quantum technologies and possible areas of enquiry.