Shares of Google parent Alphabet jumped approximately 5% on Tuesday following the unveiling of their latest quantum computing chip, Willow. This new generation chip marks a significant milestone in the field by addressing a critical challenge in quantum computing.
Introduced on Monday, the Willow chip demonstrated the ability to solve a computing problem in five minutes—a task that would take a classical computer longer than the universe's history to complete. This breakthrough positions Alphabet at the forefront of the race among tech giants striving to develop quantum systems that outperform traditional silicon-based computers.
Quantum computers rely on building blocks known as \"qubits,\" which offer incredible processing speeds but are notoriously error-prone. The more qubits a quantum computer uses, the higher the chance of errors, making the technology less reliable and commercially viable. However, Google claims that the Willow chip innovatively strings together qubits, reducing error rates as the number of qubits increases and enabling real-time error correction.
Since Nobel laureate Richard Feynman introduced the concept of quantum computing in 1981, scientists worldwide have made continuous strides in quantum research, achieving notable breakthroughs. Despite these advancements, the development of a practical, general-purpose quantum computer remains a long-term objective.
Not everyone is fully convinced by Willow's achievements. Professor Alan Woodward, a computing expert at Surrey University, highlighted that while quantum computers excel at specific tasks compared to current \"classical\" computers, they are unlikely to replace them entirely. He cautioned against overemphasizing the significance of Willow's success based on a single test, advising, \"One has to be careful not to compare apples and oranges,\" as he told BBC.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
