National Quantum Strategies: A Data-Driven Approach to Understanding the Quantum Ecosystem

TL;DR

This paper presents a comprehensive data-driven analysis of 62 national quantum strategy documents from 20 countries, revealing evolving policy focuses and emphasizing the importance of AI-driven methods in understanding the quantum ecosystem.

Contribution

It is the first large-scale, AI-based natural language processing study of national quantum strategies, identifying key topics and policy shifts over time.

Findings

Shift towards application and commercialization in policies

Diversification of quantum technology focus areas

Growing emphasis on workforce and governance issues

Abstract

As quantum technologies (QT) move from foundational research toward industrial and societal deployment, national strategies have become critical instruments for shaping the future of this emerging field. In this study, we conduct the first large-scale, data-driven analysis of 62 national quantum strategic documents (QSDs) from 20 countries. Using AI-based natural language processing (topic modeling), we identify 12 topics present in the text, ranging from technical development areas to transversal aspects such as workforce development and governance. Temporal analysis reveals a distinct shift in policy discourse toward applications of QT and commercialisation, and relatively away from basic science. Our findings highlight the increasing diversification of the QT field, and contribute to the growing area of quantum policy studies. We advocate for more AI and data-driven analyses of the quantum ecosystem, to work toward a scalable framework for understanding the technological and societal challenges of the second quantum revolution.