Questionable Benchmark Obscures Google’s Willow Quantum Chip Breakthrough

Google has unveiled Willow, its latest quantum chip, to much fanfare. The chip is said to outperform classical computers on a cosmic timescale, with claims that it can complete computations in a fraction of the time it would take a classical computer. However, the reality behind the hype is more nuanced.

Unlike its predecessor Sycamore, Google is not touting quantum supremacy with Willow. While Sycamore showcased the ability to perform calculations much faster than classical computers, controversies arose over the practical applications of the feat. Instead, Google now focuses on achieving “beyond classical computation” with Willow.

Willow’s performance in random circuit sampling (RCS) tasks is highlighted as a significant achievement by Google. The chip can complete these tasks in minutes, a feat that would take the world’s second most powerful supercomputer an incomprehensible amount of time to replicate. The company asserts that this performance demonstrates the power of quantum computation in parallel universes.

Google argues that RCS tasks should be the standard by which quantum computers are judged, emphasizing their importance in the field. However, other companies use metrics like quantum volume to highlight their advancements in quantum computing. Willow’s success in reducing errors as more qubits are added is seen as a significant step towards building scalable logical qubits.

This breakthrough brings us closer to a future where quantum computers can solve complex problems with real-world implications. While Google acknowledges that there is still work to be done before achieving this vision, Willow represents a significant advancement in the field of quantum computing.



Source link