UNESCO published a discussion paper titled “Quantum Technologies and Their Global Impact” on March 6, 2024, prepared for the organization’s Digital Transformation Dialogue held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The paper was authored by Pieter Vermaas and Ulrich Mans of Quantum Delta NL’s Centre for Quantum and Society, with the document code CI/DIT/2024/QP/01.
According to the UNESCO Digital Library entry, the paper provided preliminary reflections on the societal impact of quantum technologies, covering quantum computing, communication, and sensing. It addressed governance considerations, the dual-use nature of quantum technologies, and the potential for a global “quantum divide” between countries with advanced quantum programs and those without.
The paper noted that UNESCO’s role as a trusted partner of national governments and facilitator of international cooperation positioned the organization to address emerging governance questions around quantum technologies. It served as the first in a series of UNESCO publications on quantum governance, later expanded through the Information for All Programme (IFAP) issue brief series.