"Opportunity Open for Korea to Take the Lead"
As quantum computing technology is expected to have a significant impact on industries such as finance, pharmaceuticals, defense, and energy upon commercialization, there have been recommendations for government and industry investment in quantum computers.
On the 27th, Samil PwC Management Research Institute announced the publication of a report titled "The Magic of Qubits, the Quantum Computer Revolution Calculating Imagination." The report examines the concepts of quantum mechanics underlying quantum computers and the trends in technology development, and forecasts the impact on major industries following commercialization.
According to the report, quantum computing technology is expected to bring transformation to ▲ finance and risk analysis ▲ simulation in pharmaceuticals and chemistry ▲ defense and aerospace ▲ solving optimization problems in energy and logistics ▲ machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) ▲ cybersecurity.
In the finance sector, quantum computers are seen as highly likely to contribute to managing investment portfolios composed of multiple assets and high-frequency trading that executes large volumes of orders in very short time intervals. In pharmaceuticals and chemistry, it is anticipated to dramatically accelerate the extensive simulation processes required for developing new catalysts or novel materials. The report also forecasts that complex problems common to industries, such as operational efficiency and supply chain management, will be able to find not just approximate solutions but precise optimal values. The report stated, "Quantum computers have the potential to solve problems that are difficult for conventional computers by utilizing parallel quantum state exploration and quantum annealing."
The report pointed out that domestic companies are focusing more on application cases such as developing next-generation security technologies to counter quantum hacking attacks rather than on the development of quantum computers themselves. Given the high technological entry barriers of quantum computers, it is analyzed that Korean companies are concentrating on utilizing external quantum computers rather than developing and securing core technologies.
The report advised, "Although Korea started later than the United States and China in the quantum computer industry, there is ample opportunity to leap to the forefront. To achieve this, large-scale research and development (R&D) investment and industry-academia-research cooperation are urgently needed, and the number of quantum specialists in Korea, which is only about 10% of that in the U.S. and China, must be increased." Korea aims to release a commercial quantum computer by 2035 under government support.
Choi Jae-young, head of Samil PwC Management Research Institute, suggested, "While the government creates an ecosystem to gain an advantage in quantum science and technology, called the new 'game changer,' the industry must also expand interest and investment in quantum computers."
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