Google announced a major leap in quantum computing with its new chip, Willow, developed in its Santa Barbara lab. Willow solved a complex mathematical problem in under five minutes, a task that would take today’s fastest supercomputers 10 septillion years—far longer than the universe’s age. This breakthrough showcases the immense potential of quantum computing, which uses “qubits” instead of traditional “bits” to perform calculations much faster. Willow has 105 qubits and uses error correction in real time, overcoming a significant challenge in quantum computing.
While Willow’s specific task has no immediate commercial application, Google envisions its quantum computers solving problems in fields like medicine, AI, and battery technology. The company is focused on improving qubit reliability, and has even built a dedicated facility to speed up development. Google’s quantum division is optimistic that Willow could lead to “useful, beyond-classical” calculations for real-world problems, marking a key milestone in the journey of quantum technology.
The competition is fierce, with companies like IBM also advancing in quantum computing, but Google claims its chip’s performance is far ahead of what classical computers can achieve.
