At the NATO Leaders’ Meeting in London on December 3-4, 2019, Heads of State and Government agreed on an Emerging and Disruptive Technology (EDT) Implementation Roadmap. The roadmap identified seven priority technology areas: data, artificial intelligence, autonomy, quantum technologies, biotechnology and human enhancement, hypersonic technologies, and space.
According to NATO, the roadmap was intended to “help structure NATO’s work across key technology areas, and enable Allies to consider the implications of these technologies, for instance for deterrence and defence, and capability development.” Allied Command Transformation had developed the initial framework, which defence ministers first endorsed at their October 2019 meeting.
By formally designating quantum technologies as one of seven priority EDT areas, the roadmap established the basis for subsequent NATO policy development on quantum, including dedicated strategies and innovation programs.