The new quantum chip solved a complex computational problem in just five minutes – an operation that would take a classical computer longer than the age of the universe to complete.
Quantum computing – pursued by tech leaders like Google, Microsoft and IBM – promises to revolutionise problem-solving speeds far beyond what today’s most advanced classical computers can achieve. While the specific problem solved by Google’s quantum team in Santa Barbara doesn’t yet have practical applications, the breakthrough paves the way for tackling real-world challenges in medicine, energy storage and artificial intelligence (AI) that remain beyond current computational capabilities.
At the heart of this development is Willow’s 105 “qubits” – the essential units of quantum computing. Qubits are extraordinarily fast but inherently unstable as they are vulnerable to disturbances as minor as subatomic interactions. This instability results in computational errors and, as the number of qubits increases, so does the likelihood of those errors accumulating. To address this, researchers have spent decades developing quantum error correction techniques.
Google’s recent success lies in demonstrating that linking qubits together on the Willow chip reduces error rates even as more qubits are added. Moreover, the system can correct errors in real time, marking a pivotal step toward making quantum machines not only powerful but also reliable. Hartmut Neven, Head of Google Quantum AI, emphasised the significance of this milestone: “We are past the break-even point.”
This achievement builds on a contentious claim Google made in 2019 when it announced that its quantum chip had solved a problem in seconds that would take a classical computer 10 000 years. That claim faced scepticism from IBM, which argued that the problem could be solved in two-and-a-half days using a different approach. In its latest findings, Google revised its methodology to account for such critiques, asserting that, even under ideal conditions, a classical computer would take a billion years to replicate the results produced by Willow.
Although competitors like IBM and others have developed quantum chips with more qubits, Google’s strategy prioritises the reliability of its qubits over sheer numbers. Anthony Megrant, Chief Architect for Google Quantum AI, explained that the company’s focus on precision is complemented by its new, state-of-the-art fabrication facility.
Previously reliant on shared facilities at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Google now has a dedicated space for producing chips like Willow. The in-house facility accelerates the development cycle, allowing engineers to test and refine their ideas faster by quickly integrating them into experiments conducted in specialised cryostats, which are super-cooled refrigerators designed for quantum research.
Future implications
Quantum systems edge closer to practical applications so their potential to transform industries is becoming increasingly tangible.
Focus on error correction highlights the growing maturity of quantum technologies. Instead of merely increasing qubit counts, companies are now concentrating on enhancing the quality and reliability of their chips – key factors for scaling quantum systems for commercial use.
The race to dominate the quantum market is also intensifying with national governments and private enterprises investing heavily in research.
