[2025 Future Enterprise Forum] "Awareness Among Major Corporations Must Improve for Quantum Technology Adoption"

It has been pointed out that in order for quantum technology to be fully introduced into the industrial field, securing talent and improving awareness among large corporations must come first. Even if talent is fostered, there is no proper environment to accommodate them, and the lack of leading investments by major corporations has slowed the adoption of quantum technology in the industry. In the long term, it is essential to establish a social foundation for considering how to utilize the technology in order to secure competitiveness in the quantum era.

At the ‘2025 Asia Future Enterprise Forum’ hosted by Asia Economy on the 11th at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, panelists are discussing the topic ‘Use Cases and Challenges of Quantum Science Technology by Industry.’ From the left, Jinhee Yoon, President of the Korean Physical Society; Heejung Jung, Executive Director of Pascal Korea; Jaewan Kim, Director of the Quantum Research Institute at Yonsei University. Photo by Jinhyung Kang

During the third session of the "2025 Asia Future Enterprise Forum" held at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on June 11, a panel discussion was held on the topic "Use Cases and Challenges of Quantum Science Technology by Industry." Jinhee Yoon, President of the Korean Physical Society, served as the moderator, with Jaewan Kim, Director of the Quantum Research Institute at Yonsei University, and Heejung Jung, Executive Director of Pascal Korea, participating as panelists. President Yoon stated, "Quantum technology has remained in the realm of basic science for the past 100 years, but we are now at the initial stage where its industrialization potential is being actively discussed," and emphasized the need for discussions that bridge basic research and industrial practice.

During the discussion, Director Kim cited the shortage of skilled personnel as the main reason for the slow adoption of quantum technology in the Korean industry. He said, "The biggest obstacle to the introduction of quantum technology is the lack of specialized personnel," and added, "Although the government is establishing quantum graduate schools, it will take time to secure practical talent." He also pointed out, "Another problem is the insufficient investment due to the low level of technological awareness among major domestic corporations." He further emphasized the need to improve what he called "quantum literacy" within companies regarding quantum technology.

Pascal Korea Executive Director Heejeong Jung is attending the "2025 Asia Future Business Forum" hosted by Asia Economy at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 11th, discussing the topic "Use Cases and Challenges of Quantum Science Technology by Industry." Photo by Jinhyung Kang

Executive Director Jung diagnosed the greatest entry barrier for companies as the "uncertainty of return on investment (ROI)." Jung said, "There is still a strong perception that quantum technology is not a profitable technology," adding, "Companies are reluctant to enter fields where there is no ROI."

As tasks for the spread of quantum technology, the cultivation of talent as well as the establishment of institutional and cultural foundations were mentioned. Director Kim stated, "Like Finland, we must actively recruit global talent," and noted, "There are limits to relying solely on domestic talent." Executive Director Jung said, "If there is no social foundation to accommodate talent, the outflow will continue," stressing that "along with steady investment in basic science, the industry must create an environment where talent can be retained from a long-term perspective."

The relationship between quantum technology and artificial intelligence (AI) technology was also discussed. Director Kim explained, "AI is already a mature technology, while quantum is still in a transitional phase," and added, "AI and quantum can develop in a mutually complementary relationship." Executive Director Jung said, "If AI technology is combined with quantum computing, it can become even more advanced," and emphasized, "It is important for our industry to quickly recognize this trend."

Jae-Wan Kim, Director of the Quantum Research Institute at Yonsei University, is attending the "2025 Asia Future Business Forum" hosted by Asia Economy at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 11th, discussing the topic "Use Cases and Challenges of Quantum Science Technology by Industry." Photo by Jin-Hyung Kang

Director Kim stated in his presentation prior to the discussion, "Quantum technology is not simply a technology superior to digital, but a technology that can solve problems that digital cannot," and added, "Quantum mechanics is already well understood in principle, and we are now entering the 'engineering' phase of implementing it as an actual industrial technology." He continued, "Since Korea has experience in developing digital and nano technologies, we should actively utilize existing technologies to connect the quantum field to industrialization," and pointed out, "Although the government is fostering talent and research institutes are developing technology, the participation of domestic major corporations, which are supposed to actually utilize these, is still lacking." He emphasized, "If companies do not move toward the commercialization of quantum technology, there is a risk that both talent and technology will flow overseas," and stressed the urgent need for active participation from the domestic industry.

Director Kim suggested that in order to encourage corporate participation, "the industry must understand quantum technology more realistically and approach it systematically." He said, "It is problematic to invest in quantum technology without understanding it well or to hold only exaggerated expectations," and concluded, "Awareness of the technology must first be spread so that companies can set their direction."