Quantum computers are coming - do we need ethical guidelines?
Tech Life
BBC
4.3 • 227 Ratings
🗓️ 3 March 2026
⏱️ 27 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Quantum computing promises revolutionary new discoveries. But tech revolutions can be messy. Is now the time to start thinking about how we ethically use quantum machines?
Also, we find out how glass can be turned into useful data storage that will last for thousands of years. And what can science fiction tell us about our spacefaring future?
Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn
(Photo: An image of a quantum computer inside a high-tech facility. The computer has metallic silver and gold-coloured tubing to assist in cooling. Credit: Getty Images)
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, music, radio, podcasts. |
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| 0:10.6 | And if you're into true crime. |
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| 0:22.8 | That cast light on shady cybercriminals, mysterious drownings and unsolved murders, from Bergen to Belfast. |
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| 0:33.3 | The only thing left to do now is Ron. |
| 0:37.5 | Hello and welcome to TechLife on the BBC World Service, |
| 0:41.4 | the programme about technology and how it affects the world around us and beyond. |
| 0:46.4 | I'm Chris Valence. |
| 0:47.4 | On today's show, quantum computing promises revolutionary new discoveries, |
| 0:52.5 | but tech revolutions can be messy things, while the full |
| 0:56.0 | potential of quantum remains years away is now the time to start thinking about how we ethically use it. |
| 1:02.9 | And how do we preserve our data for posterity? Could glass be the answer to keeping important data |
| 1:09.0 | and unimportant selfies and instereals safe for thousands of |
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