Abstract

As firms and governments increasingly discuss quantum computing (computing that can solve problems exponentially faster with less energy consumption due to grounding in the laws of quantum physics, different from traditional computing) as the next step in the ongoing digital transformation of society, it is essential to view this impending development through a socio-technical lens to better understand its potential implications for society. In particular, it is important to determine if exceptionally faster computing can exhibit unintended consequences and adversely affect various marginalized sections of society. Thus motivated, we examine various inequities prevalent in society and analyze the potential implications of quantum computing for these inequities. We follow a multi-pronged strategy to explore these potentially social implications of quantum computing. First, we conduct a detailed literature review on the role of technology in exacerbating various social inequities. This comprehensive literature review allows us to identify the different roles that technology plays in increasing social inequities. Next, we construct a corpus of unstructured text from various podcasts, online forums, and websites where various C-suite executives, technologists, and technology journalists discuss the potential implications of quantum computing and conduct a text analysis to identify themes related to its social implications. Finally, we conduct interviews with CEOs, CTOs, scientists, and technologists who are at the forefront of quantum computing development to understand how it can influence different social processes and its social implications. Through our analysis, we develop a model that explicates the mechanisms by which quantum computing can exacerbate different social inequities.

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