Quantum Computing: Advances, Risks and Implications for Privacy, Security and Data Ethics

The United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, and Canada is home to some of the world’s foremost experts in quantum computing, including those at the Waterloo-based Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.

Our next Monthly Privacy Call will feature a discussion with Dr. Roger Melko, a globally recognized Canadian researcher in theoretical physics and thought leader in quantum computing.

The webinar will be co-moderated by Osler Partners Adam Kardash (Privacy and Data Management) and Wendy Gross (Technology), who will discuss a range of quantum-related topics of interest to stakeholders in the Canadian privacy and AI ecosystem, including:

• Promising real-world applications of quantum computing (and which industries stand to benefit the most);
• Projected timelines for the general availability of these applications;
• Recent announcements about quantum computing developments from Microsoft, Google, and AWS;
• The effect of quantum computing breakthroughs on AI technologies, complex problem-solving, and cryptography;
• Data security concerns with quantum computing, including its potential to break traditional encryption methods;
• Key ethical concerns associated with quantum computing, including data privacy and algorithmic fairness and explainability.