Quantum computers have been an unrealized holy grail for physicists and computer scientists since the 1980s. Today, they stand on the cusp of the biggest breakthrough yet. Just recently, Google announced their advancements in error correction, a huge leap forward in making quantum computers practical. This development comes as experts predict that the technology could be just five years away from running applications beyond the capabilities of modern computers. The breakthrough, announced last month, indicates a potentially viable route toward practical, useful quantum computers.
Error correction is an essential condition for the usability of quantum computers, that work on qubits. However, unlike their digital counterparts, computer qubits have a special feature baked into their design. It’s because of their probabilistic nature that they can be in all these states at once. Google’s latest and most advanced quantum computer, braggingly revolutionary, boasts a whopping 105 qubits. To get such technology to practical applications, experts have agreed that we need 1 million qubits or more. Despite these challenges, Google's director of hardware for Quantum AI, Julian Kelly, remains optimistic about the potential of quantum computing.
Quantum computers could revolutionize various fields by simulating cutting-edge physics and generating new kinds of data. Though using quantum computers to train artificial intelligence is still seen as highly speculative, the possible applications are immense. The ability to perform calculations beyond the reach of today's most powerful machines could unlock new scientific discoveries and technological advancements.
This recent progress in error correction is incredibly important because it tackles the second major hurdle distinct to quantum computing. Errors happen with regularity from the fragile state of qubits, and it’s the ability to correct these errors that makes reliable, error-free computation possible. Google’s recent breakthrough offers an encouraging approach to addressing this challenge. It moves us one step closer to the era of practical quantum computing.
The road to useful, powerful quantum computers has largely been paved by other big tech companies. In February, Microsoft announced that its new Majorana quantum computing chip represented another quantum breakthrough, one that could revolutionize the field. Additionally, Nvidia hosted a Quantum Day event last week, gathering representatives from 12 leading quantum companies, including Amazon and Microsoft, to discuss the future prospects of this transformative technology.
The first real-world applications of quantum computers are likely to emerge in simulating complex physical systems, providing insights into phenomena that are currently beyond our reach. Julian Kelly believes that these machines will soon be capable of handling calculations that cannot be performed by traditional computers. This optimism is driving millions of dollars in research and investment in quantum technology as firms race to achieve the next breakthrough.