The race to dominate the quantum computing landscape has just taken a significant turn. The Chinese mainland has unveiled a groundbreaking achievement with its new 105-qubit \"Zuchongzhi 3.0\" quantum computer, surpassing Google's previous milestone by an astounding six orders of magnitude.
Google's October breakthrough was hailed as a demonstration of quantum computers outperforming traditional supercomputers. However, the recent Chinese test has eclipsed this achievement by completing a complex task in just hundreds of seconds. In comparison, Frontier, the world's current supercomputing champion, would require an estimated 6 billion years to solve the same problem.
This monumental achievement, detailed in a recent publication on arxiv.org, sets a new benchmark for \"quantum computational advantage.\" This term represents a crucial milestone in harnessing the full potential of quantum technology. Researchers believe that increasing both qubit count and circuit complexity can unlock more efficient solutions to real-world problems.
Quantum computing remains in its early stages, with over 30 countries actively developing quantum-based technologies. The competition for quantum supremacy is intensifying, positioning it as a key battleground for global tech powerhouses.
Looking back, in 2019, Google claimed to have achieved \"quantum supremacy\" by solving an intricate problem in 200 seconds using a 53-qubit machine. However, a Chinese team challenged this claim in 2023 by developing a new algorithm that solved the same problem on a classical computer in just 17 seconds.
The evolution of the concept from \"quantum supremacy\" to \"quantum computational advantage\" reflects the ongoing advancements and debates within the scientific community. As nations continue to push the boundaries of quantum technology, the implications for business, technology, and global competitiveness are profound.
Reference(s):
Quantum supremacy race heats up: China's new test blasts past Google
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