CALIFORNIA: Google has announced a significant advancement in quantum computing, overcoming a critical challenge with its new Willow chip. The chip solved a complex mathematical problem in just five minutes—an issue that would take a classical computer longer than the entire history of the universe to resolve. This breakthrough highlights the immense speed potential of quantum computing, which promises to surpass today’s fastest systems.
Although the problem solved by the Willow chip does not have immediate commercial applications, Google envisions quantum technology transforming fields like medicine, AI, and battery chemistry in the future. The chip is built with 105 qubits, the fundamental units of quantum computers. However, qubits are highly sensitive and prone to errors caused by even minor disturbances, such as cosmic particles.
To address this, Google has made strides in quantum error-correction, ensuring the chip’s performance improves as the number of qubits increases. The company claims it can now correct errors in real-time, a vital step in making quantum computers practical for real-world applications.
In 2019, IBM challenged Google’s claim that its quantum chip could solve a problem in 10,000 years, offering an alternative estimate of just 2.5 days. However, Google’s new calculations show that even under ideal conditions, a classical computer would take a billion years to solve the same problem.
While competitors like IBM are developing chips with more qubits, Google remains focused on maximizing the reliability of its qubits. The company has also built a dedicated fabrication facility for its Willow chips, allowing for faster production and innovation in the future.
