Quantum Computers, Excitement Builds Ahead of CES
UN Designates 2025 as the 'Year of Quantum Science and Technology'
Domestic quantum computer-related stocks are soaring. This is interpreted as a buying spree driven by the evaluation of quantum computers as the next-generation technology following artificial intelligence (AI). Marking the 100th anniversary of quantum mechanics, the UN has designated this year as the 'Year of Quantum Science and Technology.'
On the 3rd, Yonhap News reported that related stocks surged in the KOSDAQ market. It is analyzed that the attention to related technologies is increasing, as the quantum computing sector will be newly established at 'CES 2025,' the world's largest IT and home appliance exhibition held in Las Vegas, USA, on the 7th (local time).
Quantum computers are called 'dream computers' because they enable ultra-high-speed calculations beyond supercomputers. Existing computers, including supercomputers, process information with bits that can represent only one value of either 0 or 1.
Quantum computers perform calculations using qubits, which can simultaneously hold both 0 and 1 in a quantum state. By utilizing qubits, they can represent numerous possibilities simultaneously and reduce the number of calculations to quickly find the optimal solution.
By applying the principles of quantum mechanics, quantum computers can solve complex problems at high speed, attracting attention in various fields such as new drug development, materials science, and financial modeling.
Google's quantum computer is equipped with its self-developed quantum chip called 'Willow.' Google stated that this chip solves the drawback of quantum computers, where errors easily occur as the number of qubits increases. Actual cases are expected to be announced in 2025. Alphabet, Google's parent company, saw its stock price surge from $177 to as high as $188 during trading immediately after the announcement.
Currently, based on the United States, emerging quantum computer-related stocks include IonQ, Rigetti Computing, Quantum Computing, and D-Wave Quantum. IonQ, considered the leading quantum computer stock, rose 32.7% in a month, while other theme stocks such as Rigetti Computing increased by more than 500%, and Quantum Computing and D-Wave Quantum rose by more than 200%.
There is also an analysis that the government's announcement on the 2nd through the '2025 Economic Policy Direction' to establish a systematic roadmap for fostering the quantum industry influenced the strong performance that day. The government has designated AI, bio, and quantum as the three major new industries and will focus on their intensive development.
The Korean-style biohealth cluster innovation strategy and AI-based bio innovation strategy will be established in the first half of the year. The focus is expected to be on enabling organic linkage among the five clusters selected in June last year. A public biofoundry, which integrates advanced technologies such as AI and robotics that can automate, accelerate, and standardize existing bio R&D methods, will also be established.
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