Google unveils Willow quantum computing chip

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/10/alphabet-shares-jump-5percent-after-google-touts-breakthrough-quantum-chip-.html

The following text was generated by perplexity.ai in response to this question:

Why is Google's quantum chip a big deal?

[Caution: the following text has not been fact checked.]

Google's recent announcement of its quantum computing chip, Willow, marks a significant advancement in the field of quantum technology. Here are the key reasons why this development is considered a big deal:

Breakthrough in Computational Power

• Unprecedented Speed: Willow can solve complex computational problems in under five minutes, a task that would take today's most advanced supercomputers approximately 10 septillion years to complete. This time frame far exceeds the age of the universe, highlighting the chip's extraordinary capabilities
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• Error Correction Milestone: Willow employs a novel approach to quantum error correction, allowing it to scale up the number of qubits (105 qubits in total) while significantly reducing errors. This breakthrough addresses a longstanding challenge in quantum computing, where increasing qubit numbers typically leads to higher error rates. Google claims that errors decrease exponentially as more qubits are added, a concept that has been sought after for nearly three decades
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Implications for Quantum Computing

• Path to Large-Scale Quantum Computers: The advancements made with Willow suggest a promising trajectory toward developing larger and more efficient quantum systems capable of tackling complex scientific and societal challenges. As Hartmut Neven from Google Quantum AI noted, "The more qubits we use in Willow, the more we reduce errors"—indicating a potential for scaling quantum computers effectively
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• Potential Applications: Although practical applications remain limited at this stage, the expectation is that quantum computing will eventually enable breakthroughs in various fields such as healthcare, finance, and energy management by processing vast amounts of data simultaneously
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Challenges Ahead

Despite the excitement surrounding Willow, experts caution that practical applications are still elusive. Critics emphasize that while Google's claims are impressive, they rely on benchmarks that do not necessarily translate into real-world usefulness. For instance, achieving meaningful computations may require millions of qubits, far exceeding Willow's current capacity

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. Additionally, the technology relies on superconducting qubits that necessitate extreme cooling conditions, posing further challenges for scalability

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.In summary, Google's Willow chip represents a significant leap forward in quantum computing capabilities, particularly in error correction and computational speed. While it sets a new benchmark for what is possible with quantum technology, the journey toward practical and widespread applications continues to face substantial hurdles.

Same question to Gemini gives this:

Google's quantum chip, known as Willow, is a significant advancement in quantum computing for several reasons:¹

Error Correction Breakthrough:

• Exponential Error Reduction: Willow achieves a major milestone by reducing errors exponentially as the chip scales up.² This is a critical breakthrough in quantum error correction, a long-standing challenge in the field.³
• Practical Quantum Computers: This breakthrough brings us closer to building large-scale, practical quantum computers capable of solving complex problems.⁴

Unprecedented Computational Power:

• Superhuman Speed: Willow can perform computations in minutes that would take the world's fastest supercomputers billions of years.⁵  This demonstrates the immense potential of quantum computing for tackling previously unsolvable problems.⁶
• Real-world Applications: This computational power opens up possibilities in fields like medicine, materials science, artificial intelligence, and cryptography.⁷

Key Implications:

• Accelerated Scientific Discovery: Quantum computers could revolutionize scientific research by enabling simulations of complex systems and the discovery of new materials.⁸
• Advanced Materials Development: Design and development of advanced materials with tailored properties could lead to breakthroughs in energy storage, electronics, and more.
• Drug Discovery: Quantum computing could accelerate drug discovery by simulating molecular interactions and predicting drug efficacy.⁹
• AI Advancements: Quantum algorithms could enhance AI capabilities, leading to more intelligent and efficient systems.¹⁰
• Enhanced Cybersecurity: While quantum computers pose a threat to current encryption methods, they also offer the potential for developing quantum-resistant encryption techniques.¹¹

While Google's Willow chip represents a significant step forward, it's important to note that practical, large-scale quantum computers are still years away.¹² However, this achievement marks a crucial milestone on the path to realizing the full potential of quantum computing.