"Combining artificial intelligence with quantum computers allows us to identify the fundamental causes of diseases with greater precision. This enables us to develop treatments tailored to individual patients, rather than uniform, general-purpose drugs."
Han Nam-shik, a professor in the Department of Quantum Information Science at Yonsei University and director of the AI Research Center at the Milner Therapeutics Institute of the University of Cambridge, made these remarks in an interview with Seoul Economic Daily on Monday at Yonsei University's IBS Building in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Han will serve as a speaker at Seoul Forum 2026, to be held on the 27th and 28th of this month, where he will present the future of data-driven drug design and precision medicine based on the convergence of AI and quantum computing.
AI and quantum computing are drawing attention as the technologies poised to drive the greatest changes in drug development. By analyzing patients' DNA and protein data with these technologies, the causes of diseases can be identified with precision. "Even for the same disease, the underlying cause differs from patient to patient," Han said. "The key is to accurately identify the genetic or protein abnormalities that trigger the disease and to develop drugs that target them."
Quantum computers, in particular, can process vast volumes of genomic data that are difficult to handle with conventional supercomputers. A single person's DNA contains approximately 3.2 billion base sequences, and analyzing this data across millions of individuals requires enormous computing power. "Quantum computing can process ultra-large-scale data simultaneously, allowing us to analyze patient genomes and identify disease causes far more quickly and precisely," Han said. "Because it can analyze areas that were difficult to verify with existing technology, it could transform the very paradigm of drug development."
Han assessed that the current moment, as quantum computers are being introduced into drug development in earnest, represents an important opportunity for Korea to secure global competitiveness in new drug development. "The pharmaceutical industry is structured around 'First-in-class' innovative products that lead the market," he said. "To get ahead in the early technology competition, strategic support through selection and concentration is necessary."
The reason he joined Yonsei University was also to focus on quantum computing-based research. Yonsei has introduced IBM's quantum computer, "Quantum System One," establishing an environment in which it can be used for actual research. "Universities equipped with infrastructure at the level of approximately 127 qubits are rare worldwide," Han said. "We will break down barriers between disciplines such as medicine, AI, and physics to pursue convergence research." He also plans to build a sustainable global open innovation framework through collaboration with the University of Cambridge, where he holds a concurrent appointment.
Han has set aging research through AI and quantum computers as his ultimate goal. "Aging is the result of various diseases manifesting in complex ways," he explained. "Analyzing this precisely can be applied to the overall prevention and treatment of diseases." He added, "Ultimately, we will usher in the era of 'Medicine 3.0,' which realizes highly personalized, ultra-precise medical care."
