【兰德】量子技术导航技能和人才发展-当前见解和未来前景-2025_52页_6mb

Summary of "Navigating skills and talent development for quantum technology"

Core Content

This report summarizes the key discussions and insights from a roundtable hosted by RAND Europe and the Novo Nordisk Foundation in Copenhagen on 10 October 2024, focusing on the development of skills and talent in the quantum technology ecosystem. It outlines the challenges and opportunities in building a sustainable and resilient quantum workforce, as well as policy considerations and enabling actions for stakeholders to address these issues effectively.

Main Topics and Key Points

The Global Quantum Technology Ecosystem

• The quantum technology ecosystem is becoming increasingly heterogeneous, integrating various expertise and disciplines.
• There are key challenges regarding the availability, types, and distribution of skills necessary to advance this ecosystem.
• Universities worldwide are expanding quantum-related degree programs and research opportunities, while industry players are developing educational content and tools, contributing to quantum literacy and workforce readiness.
• Developing a robust, sustainable quantum talent pipeline requires a patient, long-term approach that targets different learning levels across the education and skills development journey.
• Coordination, community building, and common standards are essential for addressing the quantum technology workforce development challenge.

Policy Considerations

The report proposes eight policy considerations organized into three clusters:

1. Connecting, Collaborating and Community Building

• Establish collaborative networks between academia, industry, and government.
• Foster cross-sector partnerships to share knowledge and resources.
• Create shared platforms for information exchange and skill development.
• Promote international cooperation to align efforts and standards globally.

2. Expanding and Diversifying Skills and Perspectives

• Expand quantum education at all levels, from K-12 to higher education and professional development.
• Encourage diversity and inclusion in the quantum workforce to bring a broader range of perspectives.
• Support interdisciplinary training to address the complex nature of quantum technologies.
• Develop customized training programs that align with industry needs and emerging applications.

3. Approaching Skills Systems Holistically with Forward Planning

• Implement long-term strategic planning for skills development.
• Create flexible and adaptive education systems that can evolve with technological advancements.
• Promote standardized curricula and certification frameworks to ensure consistency and quality.
• Integrate skills development with innovation and research to align with the future direction of quantum technology.

Key Insights from the Roundtable

• Quantum technologies are advancing rapidly and have the potential to impact various sectors such as life sciences, finance, aerospace, defence, energy, and telecommunications.

• Current challenges include:

  • Persistent noise and error correction in quantum computers, which significantly affects their reliability and scalability.
  • Uncertainty around hardware modalities, as different qubit technologies are being explored, and it is unclear which will be most effective in the long term.
  • Emergent business models that are still evolving, with risks and uncertainties in commercializing quantum technology.
  • Dual-use implications, where quantum technologies can be used for both beneficial and harmful purposes, necessitating careful regulation and ethical considerations.

• The quantum technology workforce development challenge is seen as a critical barrier to realizing the full potential of the field.

• A coordinated and long-term approach is essential to ensure that the ecosystem can sustainably grow and meet future demands.

Recommendations

• Stakeholders should strategically invest in skills and talent development to support the ongoing evolution of quantum technologies.
• A Quantum Technology Skills Charter could be developed to articulate a collective statement of intent, ambition, and commitment among public, private, and third-sector entities.
• The report emphasizes the need for agility in policy development, to match the pace of technological advancement while avoiding the risks of over-hyping or taking premature actions.

Conclusion

The development of quantum technologies is closely tied to the availability and quality of human capital. A coordinated, long-term, and inclusive approach to skills and talent development is necessary to ensure that the quantum technology ecosystem can sustainably grow, innovate responsibly, and meet future demands. The proposed policy considerations aim to guide stakeholders in building a resilient, equitable, and future-ready quantum skills pipeline and workforce.

Key Terms and Definitions

• Quantum Technology: A range of technologies that use the principles of quantum mechanics to perform tasks that classical technology cannot.
• Qubit: A quantum bit, the fundamental unit of quantum information, capable of existing in a superposition of states.
• Qubit Modalities: Different physical systems or methods used to fabricate, store, or manipulate qubits.
• Dual-use Technology: Technologies that can be used for both beneficial and harmful purposes, requiring careful regulation and ethical considerations.

Final Notes

• The report is part of a series of roundtables aimed at shaping the future of quantum technologies responsibly.
• The findings are intended to inform public policy and stakeholder discourse, not to endorse any specific product or service.
• The analysis is internally funded by RAND Europe and has been peer-reviewed to ensure quality and objectivity.