Opportunities and Risks of Quantum Technologies—International Exchange on Consequences and Limitations

About 80 participants gathered at the Physikzentrum in Bad Honnef on October 20 and 21, 2025, to discuss the opportunities and risks of quantum technologies.

(The German Physical Society is an IYQ sponsor.)

As part of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, the Working Group on Physics and Disarmament (AGA), the Professional Association for Physics of Socio-economic Systems (SOE), and the Working Group on Industry and Business (AIW) of the DPG invited participants to an interdisciplinary workshop entitled “Opportunities and Risks of Quantum Technologies.”  Sixteen speakers presented the advantages of quantum technologies, as well as the problems they could cause for society or international relations. Presentations covered research at universities and in industry, but also ethical and philosophical perspectives.

One focus was on the threat to asymmetric encryption methods in communications technology when quantum computers are able to break down large numbers into their prime factors. This affects not only privacy but also the protection of information in companies and governments, and is important for cybersecurity and critical infrastructure. Alternative quantum key distribution for symmetric methods and concepts of post-quantum cryptography were also discussed.

Three presentations addressed possible military uses of quantum technologies. Another focused on the specific problem of whether quantum sensors could be used to locate nuclear submarines decisively or whether more accurate conventional guided systems could be used to destroy intercontinental missile silos without using nuclear weapons.

A series of presentations considered ethical issues, including the general handling of security-related research and international principles for the responsible development and use of quantum technologies, e.g., to avoid inequalities in access, as well as the contribution of quantum technologies to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The audience participated enthusiastically in the discussion with numerous questions.

The workshop program with all speakers and their topics can be found at https://www.dpg-physik.de/veranstaltungen/2025/opportunities-and-risks-of-quantum-technologies.

The workshop was made possible by the generous support of the Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Foundation.

Author: Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (Götz Neuneck, Jürgen Altmann, Dieter Meschede)

Photo credit: ©️ DPG / Endberg