Mar 24, 2026
The Advancing Standardization for Critical and Emerging Technologies (ASCET) Center of Excellence (CoE) has released a new Insights Brief identifying critical standardization gaps in quantum technology—from the lack of baseline definitions and performance benchmarks to workforce readiness challenges and barriers to expert participation.
The report captures findings from a workshop held November 5, 2025, during the Quantum Economic Development Consortium’s (QED-C) Annual Meeting and Plenary in New York City—ASCET’s first technology-specific convening since its inaugural May 2025 gathering of nearly 200 leaders from industry, government, standards development organizations (SDOs), and academia to identify key priorities and opportunities for impactful standardization. This session brought together stakeholders from across the quantum ecosystem for ASCET’s first small group evaluation of standardization challenges.
“The quantum community made it clear that standardization can’t wait—the gaps in foundational definitions and performance benchmarks are already creating real barriers to adoption,” says ASCET Director James Dickerson. “This Insights Brief captures those priorities and will directly shape ASCET’s next steps.”
The ASCET Workshop Insights Brief highlights key themes and challenges for standardization in the quantum space, including:
The report also underscores an urgent need to build a workforce of standards-literate engineers, scientists, and other subject matter experts through broader awareness and accessible, interdisciplinary training.
“In 2026, standards are growing as a critical enabler for the business case of quantum technologies, driving down the industry’s current high unit costs, long lead times, and sourcing risks,” says Austin S. Lin, Head of the United States National Committee to IEC/ISO Quantum Technologies (JTC 3). “These economic barriers prevent quantum technology from transitioning from the lab to commercial-scale industrialization. By partnering across disciplines, ASCET will formally connect quantum, AI, biotech, and semiconductors to collectively establish cross-industry leadership that is both future-looking and financially disciplined.”
The findings will inform future ASCET workshops across quantum and the initiative’s three other priority technology areas: AI, biotechnology, and semiconductors and microelectronics. Standardization gaps identified through these workshops will serve as critical inputs to ASCET activities including sector readiness assessments and a forthcoming national CET Standards Workforce Insights Report.
To view the brief in full, visit: https://ascet.com/reports/
Support for this activity is provided, in part, by National Institute of Standards and Technology financial assistance award 70NANB24H334.
About ASCET
ASCET – Advancing Standardization for Critical and Emerging Technologies – is a transformative initiative aimed at supporting private sector-driven U.S. engagement and capacity building in the development and use of international standards. Learn more at www.ascet.com.
Media Inquiries: Gavin O’Reilly, tel +1.610.832.9618; goreilly@astm.org
ASCET Contact: Sarah Bloomquist, +1 845-309-3398; sbloomquist@astm.org
Release #13073
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