"Although there is a high possibility of applying quantum computing in quantum chemistry, cryptography, optimization, and machine learning, there remains a technical challenge known as 'error' that stands in the way."
Oskar Painter, head of Amazon Web Services (AWS) Quantum and a professor at the California Institute of Technology, emphasized during a keynote speech at the 'Quantum Korea 2025' event held on the 24th at the Yangjae aT Center in Seoul that error correction technology is essential for the practical implementation of quantum computers.
Traditional computers represent information in bits, or 0s and 1s, which corresponds to whether an electron is present or not. In contrast, quantum computers use qubits, which can exist in superposition states of 0 and 1. This occurs because quantum mechanics, which governs the microscopic world, allows materials to exist in multiple overlapping states. As a result, computational capabilities increase dramatically.
Qubits are extremely sensitive, making them prone to information loss due to even slight influences from the external environment. Painter explained, "They manifest in two forms known as 'bit flip' errors, where 0 changes to 1 or vice versa, and a special error unique to quantum systems called 'phase flip,' where the phase of the state changes."
Currently, AWS is focusing on developing quantum error correction technology to resolve this issue. Painter noted, "Fifteen years ago, errors occurred once every ten operations, but now it has decreased to about 0.3%. To achieve practical computations, the error rate needs to be reduced to 1 in trillion."
AWS has developed a new qubit structure known as 'cat qubit' to address quantum error issues. This concept was inspired by Schrödinger's 'cat,' which describes a quantum state that exists as both dead and alive. They successfully reduced bit flip errors to 1 in 5,000 using cat qubits and unveiled a quantum chip named 'Ocelot' based on this technology in February of this year.
Painter believes that the current stage of error correction represents a turning point akin to the early days of the microelectronics industry in the 1960s. He stated, "For innovation during this period, a redesign of manufacturing technologies, including materials, devices, and three-dimensional chip stacking, is necessary. A fault-tolerant quantum computer may emerge within 5 to 10 years."
During the keynote speech, Celia Merzbacher, head of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C), introduced the global industrial landscape, noting that approximately $55.7 billion (about 75 trillion won) in public funding has been invested in quantum technology worldwide, with the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Korea ranking among the top five.
According to QED-C, the number of quantum corporations worldwide has reached 5,989, with 513 being 'pure play' corporations focused solely on quantum technology. In the next five years, the annual revenue growth rate for quantum corporations is predicted to average 27%, with revenues in the quantum computing and quantum sensing sectors expected to grow to $2 billion (about 2.7 trillion won) and $1 billion (about 1.3 trillion won), respectively, by 2028.
Merzbacher pointed out that many barriers must be overcome for quantum technology to take hold in the industry. He stated, "For quantum technology to be practically integrated into industries, widespread challenges such as technology, expense, power, size, standardization, and regulation must be addressed. Beyond ensuring technical reliability, convincing users of the need to adopt it is crucial," adding that "the development of peripheral elements not related to quantum computing, such as lasers, alongside error correction and algorithm development is also important."