Google has raised the curtain on Willowa quantum computing chip that could radically change our future. According to the company, this technological gem is capable of performing calculations in just a few minutes that would require the most advanced supercomputers to do so 10 septillion years. A number so incredible that Hartmut Neven, founder of Google Quantum AI, calls it “astounding, a time scale we can’t even conceive of.”
The road to practical quantum computing is still long, but Willow represents a revolutionary step forward. Neven and his team of around 300 researchers aim to create quantum computers capable of tackling global challenges such as safe nuclear fusion, climate change and the design of new eco-friendly batteries.
A technology with the potential to change the world
Willow’s heart is represented by ability to correct errors with unprecedented precision. This problem, which has tormented the scientific community for almost 30 years, seems to have found a solution thanks to a revolutionary principle: adding qubits (the fundamental units of quantum computing) to the system reduces rather than amplifies errors. This discovery, described in the prestigious journal Natureis considered the springboard for building truly reliable quantum computers, as explained by Julian Kellydirector of quantum hardware at Google. For now, however, we are still in the early stages:
Error correction is the ultimate goal of quantum computing.
But why the quantum computing Does it arouse much enthusiasm? Qubits, unlike the traditional bits of classical computers (which can be 0 or 1), can exist in both states at the same time. This property allows us to analyze an incredible number of possibilities simultaneously, promising to solve problems that today seem insurmountable.
A global race for future technology
The quantum revolution is not just about science: it is a crucial geopolitical game. The United States and China are at the forefront, investing billions to master this technology. Second Olivier Ezrattyan expert in quantum technologies, the sector has attracted public and private funding for over the past five years 20 billion dollars globally. Meanwhile, the US government has imposed strict limits on the export of this technology to China, recognizing its strategic value.
Willow is not just a chip: it is the promise of a future in which science and technology can converge to face epochal challenges. From personalized medicines to clean energy production, the potential impact of this innovation is boundless.
Sundar PichaiCEO of Google, described Willow as “an important step toward building quantum computers with practical applications,” citing drug discovery, sustainable materials design, and more as examples. While it will take years to see a truly operational quantum computer, every advance brings us closer to this ambitious goal.
