Insider Brief
- Quantum technology news has shifted from scientific breakthroughs to geopolitical and economic narratives, with coverage increasingly emphasizing national strategies and global competition, according to a University of St. Gallen study analyzing over 2,300 articles.
- Researchers found that quantum computing dominates media coverage, with discussions evolving from fundamental science to commercialization, security risks, and U.S.-China tensions, while sentiment analysis revealed Western media’s critical tone versus the optimism in Chinese and Indian outlets.
- These media narratives may shape policy and investment, influencing regulations, public perception, and funding priorities, with concerns about overhyped expectations potentially leading to future disillusionment, similar to past cycles in artificial intelligence.
News coverage of quantum technology is shifting from scientific discussions to national strategies and geopolitical rivalries, according to a study by researchers at the University of St. Gallen. The study, presented at the International Conference on Information Systems, analyzed over 2,300 articles from major publications in the U.S., U.K., China, and India, highlighting the evolving media narratives around quantum computing and related technologies.
Quantum Computing Becomes The Dominant Narrative
Researchers used BERTopic modeling — a model that identifies key themes in large text datasets — and sentiment analysis to categorize news articles from the past two decades into six key narratives. The dominant narrative focused on quantum computing, with less coverage on quantum cryptography and other applications. Over time, the discussion moved from scientific breakthroughs to commercial and geopolitical themes.
Articles increasingly framed quantum technology as a competitive asset in global politics, particularly emphasizing tensions between the U.S. and China.
Sentiment analysis revealed that Chinese and Indian media outlets portrayed quantum technology in a more positive light than their Western counterparts. In contrast, U.S. and U.K. publications were more critical, often focusing on security risks and the potential for quantum computing to disrupt cybersecurity.
Coverage in China and India leaned toward national investment strategies and technological optimism, while Western media highlighted regulatory concerns and commercialization efforts.
The study employed a mixed-method approach. Researchers collected articles from major English-language newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, The Guardian, South China Morning Post, and The Times of India. Using BERTopic, an AI-based content analysis tool, they grouped articles into themes and tracked their prevalence over time. Sentiment analysis was conducted using a deep-learning model to measure whether coverage was neutral, positive, or negative.
The researchers identified 54 distinct topics across six broad narratives:
- National Tech Strategies – Government-led quantum initiatives and investments.
- Global Politics and Tech Competition – The role of quantum in geopolitical tensions.
- Commercialization – Private-sector investments and market trends.
- Security and Regulation – Encryption risks and emerging quantum cybersecurity measures.
- Science and Technical Aspects – Explanations of quantum mechanics and fundamental research.
- People, Society, and Culture – Ethical considerations, workforce development, and social impact.
Over the past decade, coverage of quantum technology in political and economic contexts has increased significantly, while purely scientific discussions have declined.
How Narratives Could Shape Quantum
These shifts in media framing may have real-world implications, according to the researchers.
“Understanding these narratives is crucial because they can influence how various stakeholders, e.g. policymakers, industry leaders, and the public perceive the benefits and risks associated with quantum technology,” the team writes. “For instance, narratives that emphasize the potential threats of quantum computing might lead to stricter regulations and slower adoption, while narratives highlighting its transformative potential could foster public support and investment. As demonstrated in other fields, such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology, how narratives communicate both the opportunities and challenges can significantly impact public acceptance, policy development, and the diffusion of innovations.”
Specifically, narratives that emphasize national competition may influence government policies, shaping how quantum technology is funded and regulated. In the U.S. and China, this could drive further government-backed investment, while in Europe and India, the emphasis may lean toward commercial applications and international collaborations.
As the researchers point out, the findings also suggest that quantum technology could follow a familiar trajectory seen in other emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI). In the early years of AI, discussions centered on fundamental science, but as practical applications emerged, attention turned to investment, policy and security concerns. The growing emphasis on global competition — just like the growing competition in AI — raises questions about the future of international collaboration in quantum research.
Another concern is the potential for overhyping quantum computing’s capabilities. Many articles framed the technology as a near-term game-changer, despite the field still being in its early stages. This would provide evidence to some experts who are concerned that such narratives could lead to inflated expectations, similar to the “AI winter” periods when disappointment in artificial intelligence progress led to funding cuts.
Limitations and Future Research
The study focused only on English-language media, limiting its ability to capture narratives in other major quantum research nations such as Germany, France, and Japan. Additionally, while sentiment analysis provided insight into positive and negative framing, it did not assess whether articles contained exaggerated claims or unrealistic expectations.
Future research could examine how media narratives influence public perception and policy decisions. Experimental studies could also test whether different framings affect investor confidence or government funding priorities. Researchers also suggest expanding the analysis to include social media discourse, which plays an increasing role in shaping public opinion on emerging technologies.
The research team included: Gina Maria Pöhlmann, Charles Ma, Viktor Suter, Miriam Meckel and Léa Steinacker, all of the University of St. Gallen.
