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Science Weekly
Does Google’s ‘mindboggling’ new chip bring quantum computers any closer?
Dec 12, 2024
Winfried Hensinger, a leading expert on quantum technologies at the University of Sussex, dives into Google's new Willow quantum chip. This chip can complete tasks in five minutes that would take traditional computers 10 septillion years. Hensinger discusses the implications of this leap for industries like pharmaceuticals and medical imaging. He also explores the fundamental principles of quantum physics, the potential applications of this technology, and the competitive race to achieve breakthroughs in quantum computing.
18:03
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Quick takeaways
- Google's Willow quantum chip demonstrates extraordinary computational speed but lacks clear practical applications, highlighting the gap between theory and utility.
- The transformative potential of quantum computing could revolutionize industries like pharmaceuticals and logistics, with significant advancements yet to be realized.
Deep dives
Understanding Quantum Computing
Quantum computing relies on the principles of quantum physics, which allows information to exist in multiple states simultaneously. Traditional computers process information as bits, represented as zeros and ones, but quantum computers utilize quantum bits or qubits, which can be both zero and one at the same time due to a phenomenon known as superposition. This unique property enables quantum computers to perform complex calculations at unprecedented speeds by processing vast amounts of data simultaneously rather than sequentially. As a result, quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize industries by solving problems that are currently impractical for classical computers.
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