The gap between the promise and reality of quantum computing. The term 'quantum computing' has emerged as a hot topic in the technology industry in recent years. Generally, we have high expectations that this innovative technology can overcome the limitations of traditional computers and solve complex computational problems. However, opportunities to realistically discuss how close this technology is to practical commercialization have been rare. In a special feature published on March 26, 2026, MIT Technology Review provided an in-depth analysis, based on data and expert interviews, revealing that while quantum computing is advancing rapidly, many technical and economic challenges still lie ahead for its actual commercialization and widespread industrial application. Today, the global technology industry, especially major tech hubs including South Korea, needs to meticulously analyze the realistic possibilities of quantum computing and the industrial changes it may bring. The theoretical advantages of quantum computing are clear. The concept of 'quantum supremacy' represents a groundbreaking advancement, implying the ability to process computations in mere seconds that would take traditional high-performance supercomputers a significant amount of time. Indeed, several research teams have announced achieving quantum supremacy, and such technological progress holds immense potential in specific fields like new material development, drug discovery, and optimization problems. According to MIT Technology Review, quantum computing is particularly useful for solving complex molecular simulations and optimization problems that are impossible with existing semiconductor and computing technologies, offering the possibility of revolutionary breakthroughs in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. However, reality shows a significant divergence from theoretical expectations. Fundamental technological limitations, such as maintaining stable and error-free quantum bits (qubits), along with economic and technical barriers, are acting as major obstacles to accelerating the commercialization of quantum computing. The key technical challenges highlighted by MIT Technology Review can be summarized into three main points. First, the issue of maintaining stable qubits. Quantum states are extremely sensitive and easily collapse even with minute changes in the external environment. With current technology, it is difficult to maintain qubits stably for a sufficiently long period. Second, the limitations of quantum error correction technology. For quantum computers to perform practical computations, error rates must be extremely low, but current error correction technology is still in its early stages. Third, the difficulty of developing room-temperature quantum computers. Most quantum computers operate only in cryogenic environments close to absolute zero, leading to enormous maintenance costs and limited practicality. These technical challenges act as fundamental obstacles to quantum computing moving beyond the laboratory and being applied in real industrial settings. Experts unanimously assert that massive research investment and significant time are essential to prove the commercial viability of quantum computing. Quantum physics researchers interviewed by MIT Technology Review predicted that while quantum computing currently shows potential in specific computational problems, it would require at least 10 more years and hundreds of billions of dollars in investment to be applied in general computing environments. Indeed, investment in quantum computing-related companies is expanding in the global market. Google and IBM have been leading quantum computing development for several years, and according to the latest research data, these companies are each investing hundreds of millions of dollars annually in quantum computing R&D. In South Korea, major technology companies, including Samsung Electronics, are showing interest in quantum technology research, but it is assessed to still be in the early exploratory stages. Impact and Outlook for Korean Industry However, there are also cautious opinions suggesting that even if technical challenges are resolved, actual commercialization might be limited. MIT Technology Review emphasizes that quantum computing is not a panacea for all computing problems but rather a specialized tool that excels only in specific types of calculations. For instance, for everyday computing tasks like general data processing, document creation, or web browsing, traditional computers are far more efficient, while quantum computers can only gain an advantage in very limited areas such as chemical simulations, cryptography, and complex optimization problems. Furthermore, data security experts are concerned about the potential for quantum computing technology to neutralize existing encryption algorithms. If a sufficiently powerful quantum computer is developed, public-key cryptosystems like RSA encryption, w
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