Quantum Computing: From Laboratories to Industry Floors
In 2025, quantum computing is emerging as a groundbreaking innovation poised to shake up the industrial ecosystem, far beyond its former status as a mere research topic. What kinds of changes are beginning to unfold?
Once just a page in a science textbook, quantum computing has now moved to the very heart of the global tech industry. When world-renowned institutions like McKinsey, IDC, and Forbes unanimously declare 2025 as the inaugural year of quantum computing’s practical application, it’s no empty rhetoric. This is because revolutionary solutions based on quantum computing are already producing tangible results in real-world industries such as chemistry, finance, and mobility.
The Real Industrial Shift of Quantum Computing: A Tech Industry Turning Point
For decades, quantum computing was seen as a future technology perpetually on the horizon—and infinitely fascinating. But it has only very recently transformed into a practical tool capable of solving real business problems. By the end of 2025, this shift has fully crossed over from possibility into reality.
According to Forbes, “From late 2025 through 2026, quantum computing will see wider real-world adoption, making a noticeable impact on corporations, industry sectors, and scientific fields.” This is no mere optimism. Leading global tech companies and trailblazers in traditional industries have already begun commercializing concrete prototypes.
What Quantum Computing Is Changing: Three Key Drivers
Currently, the tech industry zeroes in on three major forces reshaping its landscape through quantum computing.
First, the surge of industrial use cases. Prototypes aimed at solving actual problems are being commercialized in chemistry, finance, and mobility. This marks a shift from experimentation to genuine business value creation.
Second, stabilization of hardware. Error rates in quantum bits (qubits) are dropping, and coherence times are increasing, enabling levels of stability suitable for real calculations. This means quantum computing is moving beyond mere proofs of concept to possess practical computational power.
Third, the expansion of hybrid architectures. By merging existing cloud infrastructure with quantum computing, integration into today’s IT ecosystems has become seamless. This integration drastically lowers the entry barriers for companies adopting quantum technologies.
The Future of Quantum Computing Through Market Size
McKinsey forecasts the quantum technology market to grow to as much as $97 billion (approximately 135.8 trillion Korean won) by 2035. This projection is far from just numbers; it underscores the rapid restructuring of global tech’s core competencies.
Notably, this growth won’t be uniform across all sectors but will concentrate intensely in specific fields. Chemistry, finance, and mobility bear the potential to overhaul their computational frameworks completely. Consequently, the competitive dynamics within these industries are poised for fundamental transformation.
Quantum Computing Beyond the Laboratory: Today’s Reality
In 2025, quantum computing is no longer a question of “when will it become practical?” Instead, the question has shifted to “how is it already being utilized?” This paradigm shift sends a powerful signal to all tech industry leaders contemplating the future.
The emergence of quantum computing from behind lab walls is no coincidence. Decades of foundational research have accumulated, massive investments by global tech giants have poured in, and hardware and software technologies have finally reached a critical threshold. What we are witnessing now is the landscape beyond that tipping point.
In the next chapter, we will explore concrete examples illustrating how quantum computing is transforming specific industrial arenas in practice.
Industry-Specific Innovation Cases: From Chemistry to Mobility, the Frontlines of the Tech Revolution
We take a close look at the real-world applications of quantum computing that accelerate new drug development by 10 times, manage financial risks in real time, and optimize autonomous vehicle routes. As of the end of 2025, quantum technology is no longer a laboratory theory but a tangible reality in industry. Through concrete innovation cases across various sectors, let’s explore how quantum computing is solving critical problems for businesses and society alike.
Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Industry: Cutting Drug Development Time with Molecular Simulation
The most dramatic achievements of quantum computing are emerging in the chemistry and pharmaceutical sectors. Complex molecular interactions, previously impossible to calculate with classical supercomputers, can now be simulated accurately, shrinking new drug discovery timelines by over 10 times.
This breakthrough goes beyond merely speeding up processes—it transforms the economics of drug development. Where it once took decades and trillions of won in investment, quantum technology slashes both time and cost drastically through to early clinical stages.
Pfizer-IBM Collaborative Success
In October 2025, Pfizer and IBM jointly developed a quantum algorithm that identified three candidates for neurodegenerative disease treatments in just six months—a process that would have normally taken years. This milestone offers renewed hope for developing cures for difficult diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
SK Innovation’s Energy Efficiency Breakthrough
Domestic companies are also pioneering quantum technology adoption. SK Innovation introduced quantum machine learning to optimize petroleum refining processes, achieving a 15% reduction in energy consumption. This advancement not only addresses environmental concerns but also directly enhances corporate productivity.
Applying quantum computing in the chemical industry offers a fundamental edge by enabling molecular-level simulations. Quantum physical properties such as superposition and entanglement allow electronic structure calculations to surpass classical computers overwhelmingly.
Financial Industry: Real-Time Handling of Complex Risk Modeling
Finance is another prime arena for quantum computing. It solves complex computations that involve thousands of intertwined variables—such as portfolio optimization, credit risk assessment, and real-time trading strategy formulation—that classical computers struggle to handle.
Goldman Sachs’ Portfolio Innovation
Leading global investment bank Goldman Sachs adopted a quantum algorithm-based real-time portfolio optimization system starting Q3 2025. This enables faster and more precise investment decisions amidst market volatility. In high-frequency trading (HFT) environments, where split-second timing can make or break profitability, quantum computing’s speed is a critical competitive advantage.
South Korean Financial Firm’s Credit Risk Assessment
In September 2025, KB Financial Group commercialized a quantum-computing-powered credit risk evaluation system. By comprehensively analyzing massive customer transaction data alongside external economic indicators, this system identifies risks with far greater precision than conventional methods.
Quantum computing’s growing recognition in finance centers on drastically reducing the computational complexity of Monte Carlo simulations—a key risk analysis method. This improvement allows more accurate risk quantification rather than mere approximations.
Mobility & Autonomous Driving Industry: Enhancing Safety and Efficiency through Real-Time Route Optimization
Quantum technology is dramatically boosting the safety and efficiency of autonomous vehicles. Processing diverse variables received in real time—road conditions, traffic flow, weather, vehicle status—to determine optimal routes and driving strategies necessitates quantum-level computation power.
Dubai, UAE’s Autonomous Driving Strategy
The UAE’s flagship AI project, 'Stargate UAE' AI data center, serves as a hub for autonomous driving technology development. The Dubai government has set an ambitious goal to convert 25% of its entire transportation to autonomous driving by 2030, with quantum-based real-time route optimization systems designated as a core technology to realize this vision.
Harnessing quantum computing enables integrated analysis of an entire city’s transport network, optimizing not only individual vehicle routes but also the overall traffic system efficiency simultaneously.
Hyundai Motor’s Traffic Flow Prediction Technology
Korean automakers are moving swiftly as well. Hyundai Motor announced in November 2025 the completion of traffic flow prediction technology using quantum machine learning. This allows autonomous vehicles to forecast traffic conditions minutes ahead and adjust routes accordingly.
This forecasting capability is about more than just quick travel; it achieves multiple goals at once—fuel efficiency optimization, passenger safety improvement, and congestion reduction. In the mobility industry, quantum computing is recognized as the key technology solving the last puzzle of autonomous driving.
In conclusion, as of late 2025, quantum technology is delivering concrete and verified results across three pivotal industries: chemistry, finance, and mobility. These cases clearly demonstrate that quantum computing is not just a futuristic concept but a practical tool shaping current business competitiveness. As each sector’s unique challenges are addressed through quantum tech, the future industrial landscape will be profoundly defined by which companies strategically harness quantum computing first.
3. Technical Limitations and Breakthroughs: The Real Challenges Quantum Computing Faces
As quantum computing begins to make its mark in the industry by 2025, it confronts not only enthusiastic acclaim but also very tangible technical barriers. From stability issues and a shortage of experts to integration with existing infrastructure—the future of quantum computing hinges on how these challenges are overcome. So, how is the tech industry tackling these problems?
The Biggest Enemy: The Current State of Qubit Stability Challenges
At the heart of quantum computing lies the qubit (Quantum Bit), the fundamental unit of quantum information. Unlike classical computer bits that are either 0 or 1, qubits must maintain a superposition state, representing both 0 and 1 simultaneously. But here lies a major problem.
Even the slightest interference from the environment—temperature fluctuations, electromagnetic waves, vibrations—can collapse a qubit’s state. This phenomenon, known as decoherence, means current quantum computers can only keep qubits stable for an extremely short span, measured in microseconds. This duration isn’t nearly enough to perform accurate calculations.
Equally critical is the error rate issue. Qubits today still have an error rate lingering around 1%, whereas practical computations demand error rates below 0.1%. To bridge this gap, tech companies in 2025 have zeroed in on developing new error correction codes.
Innovation in Error Correction: The Rise of Logical Qubits
A groundbreaking approach to fundamentally solving errors is the concept of the logical qubit. This method combines multiple physical qubits to form a single logical qubit that is much more resilient to errors.
In October 2025, Google showcased this technology with its 'Willow' chip. According to their report, they experimentally confirmed for the first time the exponential error reduction phenomenon—error rates dropping exponentially as more physical qubits are added. This milestone marks a radical leap, proving quantum computing can realistically achieve practical stability.
Many companies collaborating with IBM have adopted similar tactics, aiming to launch commercial quantum processors based on logical qubits by 2026.
Hybrid Architecture: The Practical Answer of ‘Quantum-Classical Fusion’
Should companies simply wait until perfectly stable quantum computers are built? The answer is no. The most promising solution in 2025’s tech landscape is the hybrid architecture.
This architecture blends classical computers with quantum machines, maximizing the strengths of each. Classical computers handle routine calculations and data processing, while quantum computers tackle complex optimization problems or molecular simulations.
The greatest advantage of this approach is its immediate applicability. For instance, SK Innovation’s petroleum refining optimization and KB Financial Group’s credit risk evaluation systems already operate on these hybrid models. According to IDC’s 2026 IT Trend Report, 40% of companies worldwide are expected to adopt hybrid cloud and edge infrastructures by 2026—further accelerating the practical deployment of quantum computing.
Infrastructure Standardization: The Foundation of the Industry Ecosystem
For hybrid architecture to work seamlessly, standardized interfaces and protocols are essential. Major tech players like IBM, Google, and Amazon offer quantum cloud platforms, but different hardware and software stacks lead to compatibility issues.
In 2025, international standardization bodies and leading companies have focused efforts on standardizing quantum programming languages. Open standards such as OpenQASM (Open Quantum Assembly Language) are increasingly embraced, enhancing interoperability among various quantum platforms.
Moreover, cloud service providers like AWS and Microsoft Azure are integrating quantum computing services into their existing cloud infrastructures, creating environments where businesses can naturally utilize quantum technologies within their current cloud ecosystems.
The Vicious Cycle of Talent Shortage: The Urgency of Expert Training
As critical as technological breakthroughs is the severe shortage of quantum computing experts. Globally, fewer than 5,000 professionals are proficient in quantum algorithms and hardware development—just around 1% the size of the AI expert pool.
South Korea is no exception. Reflecting this urgency, the Ministry of Science and ICT labeled talent development its top priority in the October 2025 announcement of the ‘Quantum Technology Innovation Strategy’. Leading universities like KAIST and POSTECH are expanding graduate programs in quantum computing, and corporate training initiatives are gaining momentum.
Notably, online platforms offered by IBM Quantum Network and Google Quantum AI have already trained hundreds of thousands of developers worldwide—a strategic investment by tech giants to ease the talent crunch.
Tech Industry Strategies Toward 2026: Expanding the Breakthroughs
By the end of 2025, although technical challenges remain, solutions are evolving rapidly. Advances in error correction, demonstrations of hybrid architectures, progress in standardization, and enhanced talent cultivation efforts are collectively propelling quantum computing beyond the proof-of-concept phase toward commercialization.
The most encouraging sign is the open collaborative spirit among tech companies. Rivals IBM and Google participate in joint forums and work together on standards, signaling a growing recognition that quantum computing is no longer a proprietary technology but a shared challenge for the entire industry ecosystem.
Ultimately, the future of quantum computing doesn’t rest solely on isolated technological breakthroughs, but on the maturation of an ecosystem where technology, talent, standards, and investment harmoniously converge. Viewed from this perspective, 2025 stands not just as a year of innovation, but as a systematic turning point into the quantum era.
Section 4. The Global Power Struggle and South Korea’s Tech Strategy
Amid fierce technological competition with the United States, China, and Europe, how can South Korea position itself at the forefront of quantum computing? Let’s explore solutions through each country’s approach.
Quantum Computing at the Heart of 21st Century Tech Hegemony Wars
As of late 2025, quantum computing has evolved beyond mere technological rivalry into a strategic battleground for global tech supremacy. Following AI, semiconductors, and cloud infrastructure, quantum computing has become the next decisive technology—whoever commercializes and standardizes it first could completely reshape the tech industry landscape.
What stands out is that countries are no longer focusing solely on technology development but are engaging in strategic investments and ecosystem building at the national policy level. This signals that quantum computing is no longer confined to private enterprises alone.
National Quantum Computing Strategies: Approaches from the U.S., China, and Europe
United States: Strengthening Tech Monopoly with an "America-First" Policy
The U.S. is pursuing a strategy to secure global standard leadership based on technological superiority in quantum computing. As of 2025, this strategy shows significant achievements.
Major U.S. tech giants like Google, IBM, and Rigetti are actively expanding commercial quantum cloud services, attracting global companies into their ecosystems. Particularly, hybrid cloud-based quantum services seamlessly integrate with existing cloud infrastructures like AWS and Azure, encouraging enterprises to adopt quantum computing without barriers.
The U.S. advantages include:
- First-mover technology: Development and possession of the world’s first commercial quantum computers
- Talent concentration: Hosting the world’s top researchers and developers in quantum computing
- Financial superiority: Sustained and abundant investments from both government and private sectors
- Ecosystem dominance: Natural absorption of global companies via cloud platforms
China: Driving Tech Independence through a Self-Sufficient Ecosystem
China is adopting a different strategy—building a self-sufficient semiconductor and AI infrastructure—clearly targeting a reduction in global tech dependency amid U.S. technology sanctions.
In October 2025, Huawei and Alibaba jointly unveiled a supercluster-based AI infrastructure strategy, signaling intentions to build a next-generation computing platform integrating quantum computing with AI. China’s investment in quantum computing ultimately aims to secure an energy-efficient yet powerful computational foundation independent of U.S. technology restrictions.
China’s strategic features:
- Policy consistency: State-led, coherent technology development policies
- Investment scale: Massive funding for quantum computing and next-gen technologies
- Independence: Construction of autonomous ecosystems premised on disconnecting from U.S. tech
- Speed: Rapid commercialization focused on practical application
Europe: Differentiating through Strengthening "Tech Sovereignty"
Caught between the tech hegemonies of the U.S. and China, Europe is establishing a unique position by reinforcing tech sovereignty through the 'Resilience 2.0' policy.
In 2025, Europe committed to increasing quantum technology investment by 30%, reflecting a strong resolve to maintain tech autonomy beyond mere development. Notably, building on GDPR and other data privacy regulations, Europe emphasizes developing quantum computing solutions focused on data security and privacy.
Europe’s strategic traits:
- Regulation-based competitiveness: Leveraging enhanced data protection and privacy as differentiators
- Alliance strategy: Integrated approach through cooperation among EU member states
- SME nurturing: Supporting startups and mid-sized companies in quantum tech development
- Standardization leadership: Pushing for European-led quantum computing standards
South Korea’s Position: A Crossroads of Opportunity and Challenge
Currently, South Korea lags behind the U.S., China, and Europe in quantum computing technology levels but holds strong advantages in specialized fields. The 'Quantum Technology Innovation Strategy' announced by the Ministry of Science and ICT in October 2025 signals critical choices Korea faces at this crossroads.
South Korea’s strengths:
- Semiconductor expertise: World-class semiconductor technology from Samsung and SK Hynix
- Battery technology: R&D capabilities from LG Energy Solution and SK Innovation
- Precision chemistry: Industrial base of Hanwha, LG Chem, and others
- Rapid innovation culture: Corporate culture open to global collaboration
Challenges Korea faces:
- Time constraints: Technological gaps caused by early investments from the U.S., China, and Europe
- Talent shortage: Limited number of experts constraining development speed
- Capital scale: National investment smaller than that of advanced countries
- Global standardization: Lagging behind the U.S. and China in leading global standards
Quantum Computing Strategy Roadmap for Korean Businesses
Phase 1: Seizing Specialized Fields
The most pragmatic approach for Korea to succeed globally is applying quantum computing intensively to its existing strengths.
Semiconductors: Samsung and SK Hynix can utilize quantum computing–based machine learning for developing semiconductor materials and optimizing fabrication processes. Leveraging accumulated manufacturing data promises faster breakthroughs.
Battery technology: Quantum simulation can revolutionize next-generation solid-state battery development and material discovery, drastically shortening development cycles. SK Innovation’s ongoing adoption of quantum machine learning exemplifies this direction.
Precision chemistry: Harnessing quantum computing in drug discovery and polymer design can open collaboration opportunities with global pharmaceutical giants.
Phase 2: Developing Hybrid Solutions and Early Impact Generation
If Korean companies can’t wait for full indigenous quantum computing development, creating hybrid solutions combining existing AI infrastructure with quantum computing is crucial.
By 2026, 40% of global companies are expected to adopt hybrid cloud and edge infrastructures. If Korean firms introduce quantum-enhanced solutions into their AI platforms by then, they could secure early market ownership.
For instance, domestic cloud providers such as Naver Cloud or Kakao Enterprise adding quantum algorithm–based optimization to their current cloud services is one possible path.
Phase 3: Strengthening Global Collaboration
The most viable way for Korea to quickly acquire quantum computing technology is through active collaboration with global quantum cloud platforms like IBM and Google.
As of 2025, major global players are keen to build partner ecosystems around their quantum cloud platforms. Participation by leading Korean IT companies would yield:
- Early access to cutting-edge quantum technologies
- Tailored solution development combining industry expertise
- Talent cultivation via tech exchange with global enterprises
All these benefits can be realized concurrently.
Phase 4: Establishing Talent Development Systems
For South Korea to compete in the quantum computing tech hegemon race, a systematic framework for nurturing specialized talent is fundamental.
Top universities like KAIST, POSTECH, and Seoul National University must expand quantum computing curricula and strengthen graduate programs with governmental backing. Simultaneously, industry-academia cooperation should create environments where students gain hands-on experience by engaging with real-world industrial challenges.
With fewer than 5,000 quantum computing experts worldwide, even securing 100 to 200 specialists would significantly boost Korea’s competitiveness.
Korea’s Opportunity: Why Now?
As of late 2025, the window for South Korea to enter quantum computing is ideal:
- Technological maturity: Quantum computing has moved beyond pure research to industrial application
- Market infancy: Standardization remains unfinished, and global players are still competing
- Clear application domains: Direct quantum computing uses in semiconductors, batteries, and chemistry
- Open doors for global cooperation: Easy access to advanced technologies via quantum cloud platforms
Conclusion: South Korea’s Choice
The quantum computing strategies of the U.S., China, and Europe reflect their distinct national objectives and industrial foundations. South Korea must transcend being a mere follower and formulate an independent quantum computing strategy that leverages its unique strengths and characteristics.
The Ministry of Science and ICT’s 2025 'Quantum Technology Innovation Strategy' signals this intent. What remains is to translate this strategy into concrete corporate R&D and global partnerships. When Korea’s semiconductor, battery, and chemical companies embrace quantum computing not as a distant future technology but as a tool to bolster immediate competitiveness, South Korea can carve out a meaningful position in the global tech hegemony race.
Section 5. The Future Transformed by Quantum Computing: Prospects Beyond 2026
Let’s envision the blueprint of a new digital era beyond 2026, exploring how quantum technologies will reshape AI and the entire industrial landscape. By the end of 2025, we are not merely at the brink of a technological upgrade; rather, we stand at a pivotal crossroads signaling a fundamental structural transformation of the tech industry.
A New Industrial Ecosystem Forged by Quantum Computing
From 2026 onward, the impact of quantum computing is expected to extend beyond specific sectors to encompass all industries. According to McKinsey’s forecast, quantum technology will create a $97 billion market by 2035, driving innovation across diverse fields including chemistry, finance, mobility, pharmaceuticals, energy, and materials science.
Current industrial trials already offer a tangible glimpse of quantum computing’s future influence. Pfizer and IBM’s collaboration, which shortened the development cycle of neurodegenerative disease treatments to just six months, is far more than a mere speed boost. It signals that the very structure of R&D in the pharmaceutical industry could undergo a profound transformation.
Similarly, Goldman Sachs’s introduction of real-time portfolio optimization systems will dramatically enhance risk management precision. In Korea, KB Financial Group’s commercialization of a credit risk evaluation system reflects how domestic financial companies have begun recognizing the practical value of quantum technology.
Quantum Technology Surpassing the Limits of AI
Despite rapid advancements in AI throughout 2025, considerable challenges remain—most notably, energy efficiency. Current AI infrastructures consume enormous amounts of power, directly impacting data center operating costs and environmental sustainability.
Quantum computing offers a revolutionary solution to this problem. By drastically reducing the time required for specific computational tasks—time that today demands immense supercomputing resources—quantum technology can radically cut total energy consumption. As hybrid architectures become widely adopted from 2026, the fusion of AI and quantum computing will unleash even greater synergies.
The National Information Society Agency’s (NIA) inclusion of “quantum technology breaking through AI’s limitations” in its ‘Top 12 Digital Trends of 2025’ underscores this significance. It suggests quantum technology is not a mere supplementary tool but a core technology poised to fundamentally evolve the existing tech industry structure, including AI.
Global Competition Post-2026 and Opportunities for Domestic Companies
By the end of 2025, global competition reveals that the U.S., China, and the EU are each intensifying their independent quantum technology strategies. Under the “America First” policy, the U.S. supports expansion of commercial quantum cloud services from Google, IBM, and Rigetti. China is building its own ecosystem centered on Huawei and Alibaba, while the EU increased quantum technology investments by 30% to strengthen technological sovereignty.
Korea counters this global race with a specialized focus strategy. The Ministry of Science and ICT’s ‘Quantum Technology Innovation Strategy’ announced in October 2025 expresses a commitment to integrate quantum computing into our strengths: semiconductors, batteries, and precision chemicals.
Key opportunities for Korean companies to seize post-2026 include:
First, hybrid solution development. Companies that first develop solutions combining current cloud infrastructure with quantum computing can dominate the market. A practical approach is applying quantum technology to specific challenges in existing industries—like SK Innovation’s optimization of petroleum refining processes—which brings immediate impact.
Second, strengthening global collaboration. By partnering with IBM and Google’s quantum cloud platforms, companies can harness quantum technology capabilities without massive upfront investments. Many Korean enterprises have already embarked on this path.
Third, accelerating talent cultivation. As of 2025, fewer than 5,000 quantum computing experts exist worldwide. Mid- to long-term competitiveness will come to companies that invest in talent development through partnerships with top Korean universities such as KAIST and POSTECH.
Beyond 2026: Blueprints for a New Digital Era
Between 2026 and 2030, quantum computing will become a “must-have” technology rather than an option. The fact that leading nations are integrating quantum technology as a core element in future infrastructure projects—such as the UAE’s ‘Stargate UAE’ AI data center and Dubai’s autonomous driving strategy—is highly telling.
Hyundai Motor’s development of quantum machine learning-based traffic flow prediction technology demonstrates that Korean companies can actively compete in this arena. Demand for quantum computing will soar across industries requiring autonomous driving, smart cities, and real-time decision-making from 2026 onward.
What’s even more intriguing is the shift in the power dynamics of the tech industry. The evolution of AI has already introduced new leaders to the market; with the advent of quantum computing, this shift will accelerate. The gap between companies rapidly adapting to new technologies and those clinging to old paradigms will widen dramatically.
Corporate Survival Strategy: The Turning Point Is Now
The end of 2025 marks the final preparation phase before entering the quantum computing era. Leading global corporations and advanced nations are aggressively investing in research and development. From 2026, these efforts will materialize into concrete industrial results, and companies left behind will face a daunting technological divide.
Hence, quantum computing is no longer a “what if” futuristic technology. Today, it must be recognized and nurtured as a strategic technological asset that can determine corporate survival in the modern tech industry. The future beyond 2026 hinges on how quickly and effectively companies embrace quantum technology.
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