Narratives on quantum technologies: a cross-domain analysis of media, business, and policy discourses
Journal
Data & Policy
ISSN
2632-3249
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2025-12-23
Author(s)
Abstract
Narratives shape public perceptions and policymaking around emerging technologies like quantum technologies (QTs), yet what narratives develop across different societal domains remains underexplored. This study analyzes narratives about QTs in 36 government documents, 163 business reports, and 2023 media articles published over the past 23 years, using a mixed-methods approach that combines topic modeling with qualitative thematic analysis. We find that the dystopian or utopian extremes associated with technologies such as artificial intelligence are largely absent from discourse about QTs. Media coverage tends to cover a broad range of topics, while business and government narratives emphasize technical milestones, economic competitiveness, and national security, frequently at the expense of questions about ethics, equity, and accessibility. We discuss the implications of this focus, particularly the risk that an emphasis on zero-sum geopolitical competition could foster a more closed and fragmented innovation ecosystem. Policy Significance Statement This study equips policymakers and industry leaders with evidence-based insights into the narratives that shape public perceptions of quantum technologies. An analysis of 2200+ documents reveals that while technical narratives dominate, geopolitical concerns are gaining ground, often at the expense of ethical considerations, especially in business and policy discourse. Unlike polarized debates on AI, quantum discourse remains cautiously optimistic but risks fostering innovation silos via "quantum race" framing. Our findings inform policy by (1) identifying governance gaps in current national quantum strategies, (2) demonstrating the need for inclusive innovation frameworks that address accessibility and equality, and (3) providing a replicable methodology for monitoring technology narratives across domains.
Keywords
BERTopic
emerging technologies
quantum technology governance
responsible innovation
narratives
Refereed
yes
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Volume
8
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