In an era where quantum computing is transitioning from theory to reality, the implications for cybersecurity, national security, and global stability are profound. As nations and corporations race to develop quantum technologies, the absence of international agreements poses a severe risk to global encryption systems, military transparency, and ethical research standards. If we don’t act now, major advances in quantum computing could break current digital security, lead to a dangerous competition for power, and create difficult ethical problems similar to those we face with artificial intelligence. Now is the time for world powers to collaborate on comprehensive quantum cybersecurity agreements, transparency measures, and ethical frameworks.

Quantum Computing and the Threat to Global Encryption

Today’s encryption methods form the bedrock of digital security, protecting everything from financial transactions to national defense communications. However, quantum computers have the potential to render current cryptographic protocols obsolete. Algorithms like Shor’s algorithm could break widely used encryption techniques, such as RSA and ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography), exposing sensitive data and critical infrastructure to unprecedented cyber threats.

A global quantum cybersecurity agreement is essential to:

Develop and implement post-quantum cryptography before quantum computers reach decryption capabilities.

Ensure international cooperation on quantum-resistant encryption to prevent cyberattacks on governments, businesses, and individuals.

Protect financial institutions, healthcare systems, and government agencies from quantum-enabled breaches.

Like we did with the Internet, we need to work together to make sure that quantum computers don’t make our digital world less secure.

Transparency Measures to Prevent a Quantum Arms Race

Quantum computing is a dual-use technology—meaning it has both civilian and military applications. Breakthroughs in quantum computing could revolutionize science, for example, in medicine and climate modeling. The potential for quantum technology to be used for breaking encryption, designing new forms of cyberattacks, or enhancing military AI systems creates an urgent need for transparency.

To prevent a destabilizing quantum arms race, world powers like the USA, China, the EU and others must agree to:

Create verification mechanisms for quantum capabilities, similar to nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons treaties.

Disseminate non-sensitive quantum research while restricting offensive quantum applications.

Establish quantum technology export controls to prevent proliferation of high-risk advancements to hostile actors like North Korea, Iran, and others.

Without transparency, adversarial nations may assume the worst and escalate their own secret quantum military programs, leading to heightened global instability.

A Global Framework for Ethical Quantum Research

Much like AI, quantum computing raises deep ethical concerns. From potential invasions of privacy through quantum-enabled surveillance to the monopolization of quantum advantages by a few powerful nations or corporations, an ethical framework is critical. The global AI community has made strides in establishing safety agreements and responsible AI principles—quantum computing must follow suit.

A global framework for ethical quantum research should:

Promote fair access to quantum technology to prevent a technological divide between quantum-rich and quantum-poor nations for education, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, and more.

Set guidelines for the responsible use of quantum computing, especially in AI development, security, and privacy.

Encourage open collaboration in areas beneficial to humanity, such as quantum applications in medicine, climate science, and sustainable clean energy like safe and cost-effective fusion reaction.

We should not address the ethical challenges of quantum computing before problems arise;

The Time for Action is Now

Rapid advances in quantum computing have spurred a global effort to protect digital security, maintain geopolitical stability, and foster responsible innovation. A world without quantum cybersecurity agreements, transparency measures, and ethical frameworks is a world vulnerable to cyber chaos, military secrecy, and unchecked power.

As we stand on the brink of a quantum revolution, governments, researchers, and technology leaders must unite to shape its future wisely. International collaboration now will determine whether quantum computing becomes a force for peace and prosperity, security and progress, or a disruptive, destabilizing technology. The time for global agreements is not tomorrow—it is today.

Worst-Case Scenarios in a World Without Quantum Computing Collaboration

1. Cybersecurity Collapse: The End of Encryption as We Know It

Without global coordination, quantum-enabled decryption attacks could dismantle the foundations of digital security. Governments, corporations, and individuals would face unprecedented cyber threats:

• Mass Data Breaches: Banking systems, medical records, and classified government communications would be exposed, rendering personal privacy and national security obsolete.
• Financial Chaos: Global stock markets and banking transactions rely on encryption; quantum-powered attacks could collapse economies by enabling large-scale fraud, insider trading, or theft.
• Cyberwarfare Escalation: Without common defense strategies, quantum-armed cyberattacks could cripple power grids, disrupt emergency services, and shut down transportation systems.

2. A Quantum Arms Race Leading to Global Instability

In the absence of transparency, major powers would assume the worst about each other’s quantum capabilities. This would drive nations into a dangerous and unpredictable arms race:

• Secret Quantum Militarization: Countries might develop unregulated quantum military technologies, such as AI-driven battlefield strategies, undetectable cyberweapons, or quantum stealth technology for undetectable submarines, drones, and missiles.
• Preemptive Strikes & Espionage: Fearing a quantum advantage, nations may resort to preemptive cyber or military strikes, escalating conflicts before verification of threats is even possible.
• An Unequal World Order: The first nations to develop advanced quantum technology could monopolize global surveillance, control economic markets, and enforce digital colonialism over less developed nations.

3. The Rise of Quantum Superpowers and Global Technological Divide

A few nations or corporate entities controlling quantum computing would create a power imbalance that deepens economic inequality:

• Technological Hegemony: Quantum-rich nations could dictate technological standards, forcing weaker countries into dependency.
• Exclusion from Scientific and Economic Advancements: Nations without quantum infrastructure would fall behind in medicine, artificial intelligence, climate solutions, and high-tech manufacturing.
• Quantum Black Markets: Rogue nations and criminal syndicates could acquire and weaponize quantum technologies through illegal trade, enabling quantum-powered cybercrime, identity theft, and large-scale financial fraud.

4. Ethical and Human Rights Catastrophe

Without ethical agreements, quantum computing could be misused to violate human rights and manipulate societies:

• Quantum Surveillance States: Authoritarian governments could use quantum-enhanced AI to break encryption on private communications, suppress dissent, and track citizens with unprecedented precision.
• AI Manipulation at Scale: Quantum-powered AI could control narratives in politics, media, and social networks, making disinformation and digital propaganda nearly impossible to detect or counter.
• Weaponization of Biology: Quantum simulations could accelerate bioengineering of viruses or genetic modification technologies, leading to unregulated experimentation with global health consequences.

The Cost of Inaction Is Too High

A world without quantum cybersecurity agreements between the USA, China, the EU, and others, with ethical frameworks is a world of cyber chaos, unchecked militarization, and deepening inequality. Nations must act now to prevent the dawn of an unstable quantum era. The choice is clear: collaborate or risk the catastrophic consequences of a fragmented and adversarial quantum future.