In this contribution I argue that non-physicist expert citizens play an active role in giving meaning to quantum technologies. 
The development of quantum technologies seems at first sight a clear case of the archaic waterfall model of technology dissemination, since it is physicists who discovered quantum technologies, engineers who now develop prototypes, which industry may soon be producing in large numbers. Moreover, the mentioned “spookiness” and impermeability of quantum mechanics introduces an epistemic asymmetry between the physicists, quantum engineers and lay citizens in society, pushing the latter group even more towards the receiving end. The antidote to this passive position seems clear and is visible in various outreach efforts: citizens should understand the basics of quantum mechanics and technologies and be facilitated to join discussions about how these technologies develop. 

In my contribution I argue that quantum technologies are currently already co-shaped by groups of citizens, and that this process is supported by shifting outreach away from explaining quantum mechanics to describing the technical functions quantum technologies can have. This argument is based on two observations: the description of technology in philosophy, and efforts by companies, governmental institutions and the military to pro-actively explore what meaning quantum technologies can have for them. Specifically the latter efforts suggest that citizens that have expert roles in these organisations steer the development of quantum technologies through their explorations. Possibly this role of citizens is not new; our thinking about artificial intelligence is already shaped by many decades of books and movies. What is new is that citizens step into this role so quickly and so blatantly against the waterfall image that science and engineering drive the development of quantum technologies.

This presentation is part of the panel Assigning meaning to quantum technologies and their development