Abstract Quantum technologies are rapidly emerging as a strategic priority for global political powers. Yet little is known about how policymakers across countries perceive the security implications of quantum technologies, even though such perceptions shape policy priorities and public understanding of technological threats. Drawing on securitization theory, we analyze parliamentary speeches from 2010 to 2024 across Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Union, and Singapore. Using computational social science tools, including a novel method based on large language models to quantify security emphasis, we report on three principal findings. First, the level of attention devoted to quantum technologies in general, as well as the intensity of the associated security rhetoric specifically, varies across legislatures. Second, security emphasis has increased over time in every parliament examined. Third, we provide an overview of the dominant topics in high-security debates, which include industrial espionage, military alliances, and foreign investment controls. We conclude by discussing the broader implications of these findings.
Suter et al. (Wed,) studied this question.