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Quantum technologies and artificial intelligence: the need for a European anticipation and governance strategy

Motion for a resolution | Doc. 16455 | 26 June 2026

Signatories:
Mr Damien COTTIER, Switzerland, ALDE ; Ms Boriana ÅBERG, Sweden, EPP/CD ; Mr Régis BERGONZI, Monaco, ALDE ; Mr Bogdan BOGDANOV, Bulgaria, ALDE ; Mr Bertrand BOUYX, France, ALDE ; Mr Patrick CASEY, Ireland, ALDE ; Mr Titus CORLĂŢEAN, Romania, SOC ; Ms Edite ESTRELA, Portugal, SOC ; Ms Béatrice FRESKO-ROLFO, Monaco, ALDE ; Mr Martynas GEDVILAS, Lithuania, SOC ; Lord Michael GERMAN, United Kingdom, ALDE ; Mr Pablo HISPÁN, Spain, EPP/CD ; Mr Szymon HOŁOWNIA, Poland, ALDE ; Mr Aleksei JEVGRAFOV, Estonia, ALDE ; Mr James MacCLEARY, United Kingdom, ALDE ; Mr Joseph O'REILLY, Ireland, EPP/CD ; Mr Dominik OBERHOFER, Austria, ALDE ; Ms Marijana PULJAK, Croatia, ALDE ; Mr Nicola RENZI, San Marino, ALDE ; Mr Georgios STAMATIS, Greece, EPP/CD ; Mr Tony VAUGHAN, United Kingdom, SOC ; Ms Rian VOGELS, Netherlands, ALDE ; Mr Emanuelis ZINGERIS, Lithuania, EPP/CD

The quantum computing revolution is no longer a long-term hypothesis. In 2026, quantum processors are beginning to outperform classical systems in strategic domains, and their convergence with artificial intelligence opens an era of unprecedented computational power – with transformative implications for security, health, economy, democratic governance and digital sovereignty.

Council of Europe member States are exposed to major risks they have not yet adequately addressed collectively. The “steal now, decrypt later” threat – whereby malicious actors harvest encrypted data today for future quantum decryption – already endangers critical infrastructure and sensitive public data across Europe. At the same time, the acceleration of AI capabilities driven by quantum computing raises profound new questions for human rights, the rule of law and democratic institutions.

These disruptions also offer immense opportunities for humanity, such as major medical advances, the rolling back of incurable diseases, healthier lives, and new means of addressing the climate emergency.

Europe possesses significant research assets in this field, including world-class academic institutions, quantum-safe cryptography pioneers and anticipatory bodies, such as the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA). These assets are not yet matched by a coherent pan-European governance framework.

The Parliamentary Assembly should prepare a report examining:

  • the implications of the quantum-AI convergence for human rights, democracy and the rule of law in member States;
  • the adequacy of existing legal frameworks, including the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law (CETS No. 225), in addressing quantum-amplified AI risks;
  • the ways in which member States can best seize the opportunities of these disruptions and build anticipatory governance mechanisms, so that Europe can shape these technologies in line with its values rather than merely adapting to them,
  • the measures member States should take to ensure a transition to post-quantum cryptography while preserving democratic standards and fundamental rights.