Recent advancement in quantum computing has brought about a rapid increase in quantum activities across the world. To meet the growing demand for quantum infrastructure, the American technology giant IBM has unveiled its collaboration with Yonsei University to launch the Quantum System One in South Korea.
IBM’s Quantum System One is the world’s first integrated quantum computing system. It has been launched in the United States, Germany, Japan and is now set to be launched in South Korea. The IBM Quantum System One is scheduled to be deployed at the Songdo International Campus and is expected to be online by 2023.
As driven by the Ministry of Science and ICT of Korea, the deployment of the Quantum System One is a significant milestone that serves as the beginning of a new era of quantum workforce development in Korea and is expected to foster about 1,000 researchers and scientists by 2030. This is to increase the overall quantum workforce in future.
“only about 3,000 skilled quantum workers exist today, and that base needs to be doubled or quadrupled.”
“The Quantum Decade” report by the IBM Institute for Business Value
The collaboration is in line with the Korean Government’s plan to grow quantum talents, expand the national quantum workforce, and encourage global collaboration through their investment strategy on research and development of quantum technology.
The duo will work together to build and increase the available quantum workforce and make quantum computing accessible and beneficial to industries and society. To make this possible, priority will be placed on building quantum programming, application and technology development skills and expertise. There are also plans to establish a local quantum community that will consist of industries, academic and research institutions focused on research activities for the advancement of quantum computing in Korea.
“IBM brings decades of research to advance quantum computing across three key areas: hardware, software and ecosystem development. We are committed to the growth of the global quantum ecosystem and fostering collaboration between research communities,”
Jay Gambetta, IBM Fellow and VP of Quantum Computing
“IBM is pleased to partner with Yonsei University in Korea to advance the local quantum workforce and we look forward to working closely with the University’s team and broader ecosystem.”
Jay Gambetta, IBM Fellow and VP of Quantum Computing
Yonsei University, which will be the second quantum computing hub in Korea after Sungkyunkwan University, will join the IBM Quantum Network – a global network that consists of more than 170 members, including Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, academic institutions and research labs that work together to advance quantum computing. IBM Quantum is also working with other institutions such as the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) to build a solid base to secure national importance in quantum computing.
“I believe that quantum computing is the next generation technology that can bring a breakthrough to the high-tech material and bio technology industries. IBM is truly the world leader with hardware and software technology, development roadmaps and clear vision for quantum computing. Yonsei University, which has the largest medical network and research manpower in Korea, expects to be able to create synergy in research and education based on quantum computing through collaboration with IBM. We look forward to partners joining us to help establish Yonsei University as Korea’s quantum computing hub.”
Seoung Hwan Suh, President of Yonsei University
“IBM believes that building a global ecosystem and open adoption for quantum computing is key to advancing development and application of quantum computing in science and business. Korea already has outstanding capabilities across various industries and research fields – from bio technology and medical to manufacturing and financial services. This cooperation between IBM and Yonsei University to establish a Quantum computing ecosystem will only serve to further strengthen the country’s capabilities.”
Sung Shik Won, GM of IBM Korea
By 2023, the Quantum System One at Yonsei University is expected to be online. You can read more here