Google unveils a quantum chip that performs calculations in 5 minutes instead of 10 septillion years

Google's Quantum Computing Lab has achieved a major breakthrough with its new Willow chip, featuring 105 qubits. It can complete complex calculations in under 5 minutes — a task that would take one of the world’s fastest supercomputers 10 septillion years, far exceeding the age of the universe.

Hartmut Neven, founder of Google Quantum AI, called this a "historic milestone," emphasizing advancements in error reduction as qubit systems scale. Overcoming quantum error correction, a challenge since its introduction in 1995, remains a critical step forward.

Google’s next goal is to demonstrate the first useful non-classical computation — one that solves real-world problems beyond the reach of conventional computers. This includes AI training, drug discovery, improved battery technology, and innovations in energy solutions.

The Willow chip also represents progress in reducing quantum errors. Unlike classical bits, qubits exist in multiple states simultaneously, but their instability due to environmental interactions causes frequent errors. Google has addressed this by introducing more qubits and implementing real-time error correction.

This achievement builds on Google’s 2019 claim, when its quantum processor solved a problem in 3 minutes versus 10,000 years on a supercomputer — a result contested by IBM. With Willow, Google demonstrates not only faster performance but also improved system reliability.