“Quantum computing represents the 'second quantum revolution.' It has already begun to be applied across industries such as life sciences, healthcare, and drug discovery, with economic potential estimated to be worth tens of trillions of won.”
Petra Florijune, Global Director of IBM Quantum Sales, made the remarks on May 19 at the “IBM Asia-Pacific Quantum Connect” event held at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul.
She stated, “As IBM CEO Arvind Krishna has emphasized, the 'quantum era' has already arrived, and now is the time to begin utilizing quantum technologies, including quantum computing.”
Quantum computing is being viewed as a new technological paradigm capable of solving problems that are difficult to address with classical computing and artificial intelligence (AI). Experts believe it will drive transformative advances across scientific and industrial sectors while generating significant economic impact.
IBM believes the industry has now entered the phase of “quantum utility,” where quantum computing is being used to solve real-world industrial problems. The company says the field is moving beyond experimental research, with businesses and research institutions beginning to integrate quantum computing into practical workflows in areas such as drug development, advanced materials research, financial risk analysis, and logistics optimization.
One notable example is IBM's collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic and Japan's RIKEN research institute, where researchers successfully simulated protein complexes consisting of up to 12,635 atoms.
The project is considered the largest biologically meaningful molecular simulation ever conducted using quantum hardware and is regarded as a major milestone in practical quantum computing applications.
Director Florijune said, “The biggest barrier to the commercialization and wider adoption of quantum computing is reliability. IBM, a leader in the quantum computing industry, has already achieved reliability levels exceeding 99%.”
She added, however, that building a complete quantum ecosystem will require broad collaboration among hardware (HW) and software (SW) companies, research institutes, universities, and developers.
Her remarks underscored the importance of cooperation in expanding the practical use of quantum computing. More than 300 organizations -- including government agencies, corporations, universities, laboratories, and consulting firms -- are currently participating in the IBM Quantum Network.
Florijune also explained that quantum-centric supercomputing is essential for operating quantum computers.
“Effective integration of central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), and quantum processing units (QPUs) is critical,” she said. “It is also necessary to properly utilize and understand the interaction between bits, qubits, and neurons. IBM is making significant investments in quantum-centric supercomputing architecture.”
IBM plans to demonstrate “quantum advantage” within this year in selected use cases -- proving that quantum computers can perform simulations or calculations faster, more accurately, or at lower cost than classical computers.
Florijune expressed confidence about the company's roadmap, saying, “Starting with achieving quantum advantage this year, IBM aims to usher in the era of the first fault-tolerant quantum computers by 2029.”
The U.S. government has also expressed its willingness to strengthen cooperation with South Korea in the quantum technology sector.
James Heller, Charge d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, said, “We welcome President Lee Jae-myung and the Korean government's goal of expanding the quantum workforce to 10,000 people by 2035.”
He added, “U.S. industries, including IBM, will work together with Korean industries such as manufacturing to drive mutual growth and development.”
