Assessing the journey of technology hype in the field of quantum technology

Tara Roberson; Sujatha Raman; Joan Leach; Samantha Vilkins

doi:10.14512/tatup.32.3.17

Authors

Tara Roberson Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems, University of Queensland, Brisbane; Australian National Centre for Public Awareness of Science (CPAS), Australian National University, Canberra (AU) https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0995-4487 tara.roberson@qut.edu.au
Sujatha Raman Australian National Centre for Public Awareness of Science (CPAS), Australian National University, Canberra (AU) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9037-5716 sujatha.raman@anu.edu.au
Joan Leach Australian National Centre for Public Awareness of Science (CPAS), Australian National University, Canberra (AU)
Samantha Vilkins Australian National Centre for Public Awareness of Science (CPAS), Australian National University, Canberra; Digital Media Research Centre, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane (AU)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14512/tatup.32.3.17

Keywords:

hype, iterative expectations, quantum technology

Abstract

The ‘second quantum revolution’ promises new technologies enabled by quantum physics and has been the subject of substantial hype. We show that while creating expectations has helped secure support for quantum research, their iterative effects can come to affect the field in concrete ways. These iterative impacts for quantum include emerging discussions about ethics and the delivery of promised outcomes. Such contestations could open up alternative quantum futures, but this will depend on how the ‘hype helix’ of iterative expectations unfolds.

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