Towards responsible quantum technology, safeguarding, engaging and advancing Quantum R&D

The expected societal impact of quantum technologies (QT) urges us to proceed and innovate responsibly. This article proposes a conceptual framework for Responsible QT that seeks to integrate considerations about ethical, legal, social, and policy implications (ELSPI) into quantum R&D, while responding to the Responsible Research and Innovation dimensions of anticipation, inclusion, reflection and responsiveness. After examining what makes QT unique, we argue that quantum innovation should be guided by a methodological framework for Responsible QT, aimed at jointly safeguarding against risks by proactively addressing them, engaging stakeholders in the innovation process, and continue advancing QT (SEA). We further suggest operationalizing the SEA-framework by establishing quantum-specific guiding principles. The impact of quantum computing on information security is used as a case study to illustrate (1) the need for a framework that guides Responsible QT, and (2) the usefulness of the SEA-framework for QT generally. Additionally, we examine how our proposed SEA-framework for responsible innovation can inform the emergent regulatory landscape affecting QT, and provide an outlook of how regulatory interventions for QT as base-layer technology could be designed, contextualized, and tailored to their exceptional nature in order to reduce the risk of unintended counterproductive effects of policy interventions. Laying the groundwork for a responsible quantum ecosystem, the research community and other stakeholders are called upon to further develop the recommended guiding principles, and discuss their operationalization into best practices and real-world applications. Our proposed framework should be considered a starting point for these much needed, highly interdisciplinary efforts

OF MONOPOLIES AND MONOCULTURES: THE INTERSECTION OF PATENTS AND NATIONAL SECURITY

OF MONOPOLIES AND MONOCULTURES: THE INTERSECTION OF PATENTS AND NATIONAL SECURIT

US Microelectronics Packaging Ecosystem: Challenges and Opportunities

The semiconductor industry is experiencing a significant shift from traditional methods of shrinking devices and reducing costs. Chip designers actively seek new technological solutions to enhance cost-effectiveness while incorporating more features into the silicon footprint. One promising approach is Heterogeneous Integration (HI), which involves advanced packaging techniques to integrate independently designed and manufactured components using the most suitable process technology. However, adopting HI introduces design and security challenges. To enable HI, research and development of advanced packaging is crucial. The existing research raises the possible security threats in the advanced packaging supply chain, as most of the Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facilities/vendors are offshore. To deal with the increasing demand for semiconductors and to ensure a secure semiconductor supply chain, there are sizable efforts from the United States (US) government to bring semiconductor fabrication facilities onshore. However, the US-based advanced packaging capabilities must also be ramped up to fully realize the vision of establishing a secure, efficient, resilient semiconductor supply chain. Our effort was motivated to identify the possible bottlenecks and weak links in the advanced packaging supply chain based in the US.Comment: 22 pages, 8 figure

Speed Intensive Production as a Development Strategy: The Case of the Electronics Industry in Taiwan

Treballs Finals del Grau d'Empresa Internacional, Facultat d'Economia i Empresa, Universitat de Barcelona, Curs: 2019-2020 , Tutor: Francisco Javier Martí González[eng] Taiwanese firms are the worldwide manufacturing leaders of electronic components and personal computers. The government and the private sector foster Research and Development to enhance technological advancement in the country. Thus, to exemplify the great emergence of the electronics industry in Taiwan, this paper aims to determine whether the speed intensive production model is the main variable to describe the sector’s great rise. Specifically, it tries to understand whether cheap mass production has been the main comparative advantage. To test the initial hypothesis that speed intensive production led to the development of electronics in the country, I conducted a deep research through literature reviews as well as relevant information from scholars at National Taiwan University. The results show a small effect of such a production model in the current industry’s scenario. All in all, speed intensity cannot explain the whole transition for Taiwanese electronics firms to be that highly positioned in the market. The strong tie with China, the influence of giant technological firms and the period of economic liberalization are more likely to respond to the strategic path followed by Taiwanese companies.[cat] Les empreses Taiwaneses són les líders mundials en producció de components electrònics i d’ordinadors personals. El govern i el sector privat promouen l’àmbit de la Recerca i Desenvolupament per millorar l’avenç tecnològic al país. Així doncs, per tal d’exemplificar el sorgiment de la indústria electrònica a Taiwan, aquest treball té com a objectiu determinar si la producció en velocitat intensiva és la variable principal per descriure el gran creixement del sector. Específicament, tracta d’entendre si la producció barata i en massa ha sigut el principal avantatge comparatiu. Per ficar a prova la hipòtesi inicial de si la producció intensiva en velocitat comporta el desenvolupament de l’electrònica al país, he dut a terme una recerca en detall a través de revisió de literatura així com d’informació rellevant d’acadèmics de la Universitat Nacional de Taiwan. Els resultats mostren un efecte menor d’aquest model de producció en l’escenari industrial actual. Considerant-ho tot, la velocitat intensiva no explica completament la transició de les empreses electròniques Taiwaneses per arribar a estar tant altament posicionades al mercat. L’estret lligam amb la Xina, la influència de grans empreses tecnològiques i el període de liberalització econòmica són més propenses a respondre el camí estratègic seguit per aquestes empreses Taiwaneses