Quantum Computing Progresses Towards Commercial Viability
Despite years of hype, quantum computing has yet to materialize as a practical technology. However, researchers at Google now argue that the tech is closer to commercial viability than some would have you believe.
Google’s Quantum AI division, led by Hartmut Neven, predicts that real-world applications of quantum computing will become possible within the next five years. This prediction directly contradicts those of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who claimed that practical quantum systems are at least two decades away.
Quantum computing has been the subject of considerable hype over the past few years, with many vendors focusing on narrower applications such as chemistry, route optimization, logistics, and financial risk management. However, systems capable of achieving computational power far exceeding that of conventional computers have yet to materialize.
One of the challenges facing quantum applications is the increasing number of errors that need to be corrected as the number of qubits increases. Google has been working on this challenge and recently unveiled a new quantum computing processor called Willow, which features between 72 and 105 physical qubits arranged into two-dimensional arrays to form logical qubits capable of correcting errors.
Google’s progress in reducing error rates is significant, and the company is not the only one optimistic about quantum computing. Quantum computing vendor D-Wave argues that its technology is already being used commercially.
Even Intel, which continues to face financial headwinds and technological setbacks, remains committed to its quantum computing investments. The company has entered into a collaboration with Japan’s Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) institute to develop a next-generation quantum computer.
The collaboration is the latest for AIST, which is also working with IBM to build a 10,000-qubit quantum supercomputer. While the progress made in quantum computing is promising, it remains to be seen whether the technology will live up to its hype and become a practical reality in the near future.
