Quantum groups are mathematical structures that arise in the field of quantum algebra. They generalize the concept of groups, which are fundamental in symmetry and geometry, by incorporating principles from quantum mechanics. Quantum groups are often used to study symmetries in quantum systems and have applications in various areas of mathematics and theoretical physics. These structures can be thought of as "deformed" versions of classical groups, allowing for a richer framework to explore non-commutative geometry. They play a significant role in the study of representation theory and have connections to topological quantum field theory and string theory, making them an important topic in modern mathematical physics.