Google Willow Pushes Us Closer to Mainstream Quantum Computing
Quantum computing has been around for quite some time now, but we have yet to see it become commercially viable.
However, Google’s recent announcement of the arrival of Willow, a quantum chip that has reduced the error tendencies of
some of its predecessors, proves we are closer than ever.
Willow is a big step toward making quantum computing a reality. Its speed is mind-blowing — Google says it can
solve a problem in under five minutes that would take one of today’s fastest supercomputers 10 septillion years to figure out.
For perspective, that’s 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 years.
The best part about the new chip, according to Google, is its accuracy. Quantum computing
has always had a bit of a wild streak, like a garden hose spraying everywhere with no one to control it.
Willow hopes to change that by combining speed with accuracy, something we’ve never seen before.
How Is Google Willow Different?
Google unveiled its latest quantum processor, Willow, in December 2024. The company says the chip represents a giant leap forward in the field.
Based on its specs and capabilities, Willow could be the breakthrough that transforms quantum
computing from a technical curiosity to a commercially viable tool.
We’ve already talked about how fast it is, putting it into perspective with all those mind-boggling zeros.
But the real breakthrough isn’t just the speed – it’s the intended accuracy.
For decades, one of the biggest challenges for quantum computing has been reliability. As quantum systems add more…
