On the 3rd (local time), Microsoft (MS) co-founder Bill Gates recently stated in an interview that “the commercialization of quantum computers is progressing faster than expected” and predicted that “it is highly likely to become a reality within 3 to 5 years.”
This implies that the timeline for quantum computer commercialization, which was previously expected to take more than 10 years, could be accelerated to around 2028.
Indeed, Microsoft is advancing quantum computing technology through Azure Quantum and is researching new approaches to solving the stability and error rate issues of quantum bits (qubits).
If the commercialization of quantum computing becomes a reality, the transformation will not be limited to IT companies or research labs. We must now ask the question: How will quantum computers change our daily lives and industries?
Currently, the semiconductor industry is reaching the limits of Moore’s Law (the principle that semiconductor performance doubles every 18 to 24 months). As it becomes increasingly difficult to produce smaller semiconductors using traditional silicon-based transistor technology, a new technological alternative is required.
Global semiconductor companies such as Samsung Electronics, Intel, and TSMC are researching next-generation chip designs utilizing quantum computing. The development of quantum chips based on superconductors, rather than traditional silicon chips, may become a reality. Quantum computing is expected to provide the immense computational power required by artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing while consuming less power than conventional semiconductors. In other words, quantum computing is not merely an advancement of supercomputers, but rather a transformation of the computing paradigm itself, ushering in a new era.
One of the greatest advantages of quantum computers is their ability to solve complex optimization problems instantaneously. Global logistics companies such as Amazon, FedEx, and DHL are conducting research on real-time logistics optimization using quantum computing. In current logistics systems, thousands of routes, traffic flows, climate changes, and inventory conditions must be considered simultaneously, but traditional computers face computational limitations. With quantum computing, AI-based logistics predictions will become more precise, and optimal delivery routes can be adjusted in real time. This not only enhances corporate efficiency but also means faster and more accurate deliveries for consumers.
Moreover, the advancement of quantum computers poses both a threat to existing encryption systems and an opportunity to enhance security. By utilizing Quantum Random Number Generation (QRNG) technology, perfect random numbers can be generated to create secure encryption keys. This could dramatically enhance the security of VPNs, cloud security, and online financial transactions. Companies such as IBM, Google, Microsoft, and China’s Huawei are researching quantum security technologies, and governments are also exploring their application in military security systems.
Ultimately, quantum computers will not be limited to corporations and research institutions but will gradually impact consumers’ daily lives as well. With ultra-high-speed internet and real-time data analysis, personalized AI services are expected to become even more powerful. Additionally, with advancements in cloud services, the era where anyone can access quantum computing’s computational power through subscription services may arrive. Companies like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure are likely to provide quantum computing services in a subscription-based model.
Quantum technology will also drive advancements in healthcare and medical analysis, enabling real-time analysis of personal health data and providing optimal personalized treatment plans. AI-powered quantum medical analysis systems could become a reality, recommending preventive treatments based on individual genetic and health data.
These transformations ultimately indicate that if quantum computing becomes widespread, our lives will fundamentally change.
The commercialization of quantum computing is not just a technological leap but a massive shift that will reshape industries and societal structures. The existing industrial landscape is likely to be restructured around the companies and nations that take the lead in quantum computing. The gap between those who utilize quantum technology and those who do not will become stark, and once the opportunity is missed, it will be difficult to catch up with the leading group.
In other words, humanity is standing at the threshold of a new era of enlightenment. In the past, during the modernization period, some nations fought with bows while others fought with guns. Now, we must ask ourselves: Will we wield the bow or the gun?
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