"Quantum, Along with Relativity, Is a Key Field That Created a New Paradigm"
"Calls for Steady Support for Basic Science with Patience and a Long-Term Perspective"
"If we do not invest now, we will soon be left behind."
On the 5th, Oh Sang-rok, President of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), emphasized this during the academic, research, and quantum-related organizations roundtable held at the 'World Quantum Science and Technology Year Korea Proclamation Ceremony' at the Korea Science and Technology Center in Seoul. He said, "There is currently a whirlwind in the AI field, and the trigger for this whirlwind was AlphaGo in 2016. Quantum science research should not be seen as something far away."
On the 5th, Oh Sang-rok, President of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, speaking at the academic, research, and quantum-related organizations roundtable held after the 'World Quantum Science and Technology Year Korea Proclamation Ceremony' at the Korea Science and Technology Center in Seoul. To President Oh's left is Kang Sung-won, Vice President of the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, and to his right is Lee Ho-sung, President of the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science. Photo by Kim Jong-hwa
President Oh stated, "If we compare it to the current AI whirlwind, the so-called technological hegemony and winner-takes-all principle can be applied to quantum as well," adding, "Considering what happened in just 1 to 2 years since November 2022 (when OpenAI released ChatGPT), when quantum suddenly approaches closely one day, it will be difficult to catch up even if we try at that time."
There was also a call to establish a system capable of competing in the quantum computer market. Lee Ho-sung, President of the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), said, "We are currently operating five 20-qubit quantum computers, and we plan to hold a demonstration around March to provide cloud services for about three of them," and emphasized, "We are soon going to build a 50-qubit machine, and the various components involved must essentially be domestically secured."
The urgency of training quantum specialists was also pointed out. Seo Ho-sung, Professor at Korea University Graduate School of Quantum Science, said, "The urgency of nurturing talent in the quantum information field is felt equally in countries like the United States, and significant investments are being made for this," and suggested, "We are currently proceeding mainly with master's and doctoral programs at the graduate level, but we need to establish an organic educational program that connects undergraduate programs through graduate school."
Voices were also raised that continuous support should be provided to enable fundamental exploration of basic science without being biased toward obligation or practicality.
On the 5th, at the 'World Quantum Science and Technology Year Korea Proclamation Ceremony' held at the Korea Science and Technology Center in Seoul, Yoon Jin-hee, President of the Korean Physical Society, is speaking at the subsequent academic, research, and quantum-related organizations roundtable. Photo by Kim Jong-hwa
Yoon Jin-hee, President of the Korean Physical Society, said, "Quantum mechanics, along with relativity, is an important field that created new paradigms," and added, "The basic science that made quantum possible requires fundamental inquiry that precedes any obligation, so more steady and long-term investment is necessary."
He continued, "I feel regretful about the current investments focusing mainly on practicality and utility," and urged, "Please support basic science research steadily with patience and a long-term perspective."
President Yoon also added, "Our physicists plan to organize various large and small events targeting the public, students, and other groups," and said, "Through this, we hope to have a year of sharing science with the public and people around the world."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
