"Keep the fight unfair": Military rhetoric in quantum technology

TL;DR

This paper analyzes American military rhetoric in quantum technology, revealing how it promotes war and security narratives that reinforce existing power structures, informing critical quantum ethics discussions.

Contribution

It provides a socio-political analysis of military rhetoric in quantum tech, highlighting its role in justifying violence and imperialist agendas.

Findings

Military rhetoric emphasizes war and violence.

Narratives promote security and national protection.

Quantum technology linked to military aesthetics.

Abstract

Doing quantum ethics properly will require detailed socio-political analysis of the technologies and the organizations trying to build them. In this paper, I contribute to this task by analysing the public rhetoric of American military stakeholders in the quantum industry. I look at Air Force Research Laboratory involvement in the 2020 Quantum 2 Business conference, where they were the main sponsor. A critical thematic analysis shows a focus on enacting the violence of war, maintaining narratives that the Air Force provides a secure future for Americans, and marrying quantum technology with the aesthetics of war. I contextualize this with anti-imperialist theory, arguing that this rhetoric and the desire for quantum arms aligns with the reproduction of existing violent power structures. Insights about this example of military involvement in quantum spaces should help orient nascent critical quantum ethics interventions.