A major breakthrough in quantum computing has just been announced by Google with its new “Willow” chip. The latter could solve in just five minutes a problem that would take 10 quadrillion years for today’s most powerful supercomputers.
Developed in Google’s Quantum AI lab, Willow represents a crucial step in the quest toa practical large-scale quantum computer. Hartmut Neven, director of the laboratory, calls Willow “ best quantum processor built to date “, although he admits that its commercial use will not be possible before the end of the decade.
Unlike traditional computers which use classical bits, Willow exploits the principles of quantum mechanics through its 105 qubits. These quantum units can exist simultaneously in several states. They then offer exponentially greater computational possibilities.
Willow is the most advanced quantum chip to date
One of Willow’s major advances lies in its error handling, a historic challenge in quantum computing. The Google team managed to reduce the overall error rate by increasing the number of qubits, a technical feat pursued for almost 30 years.
The potential applications are numerous. According to Neven, this technology could revolutionize the design of nuclear fusion reactors, the development of drugs, or even the improvement of batteries for electric cars.
However, the experts remain measured. Professor Alan Woodward of the University of Surrey points out that the performance test was specifically chosen to showcase quantum abilities. Michael Cuthbert, director of the British National Center for Quantum Computing, prefers to speak of a “ stage » rather than a “ breakthrough ».
The race for quantum computing is intensifying globally. Microsoft, Amazon and IBM are developing their own systems, while the UK already has 50 quantum companies having attracted £800m of investment.
For the future, Google aims to carry out a first calculation “ useful and beyond the classic ”, relevant for a real application that is impossible to achieve with conventional computers. Neven predicts that quantum technology will become “ indispensable » for the collection of AI training data, paving the way for new discoveries in various technological and scientific fields.
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