Alphabet, Google's Parent Company, Soars After Quantum Chip Breakthrough
Google's parent company, Alphabet, makes significant strides with a breakthrough in quantum chip technology.
TroibNews 
Shares of Google parent Alphabet saw a rise of approximately 5 percent on Tuesday following the announcement of a new generation chip that the company claims has addressed a significant challenge in quantum computing.
On Monday, Google introduced a chip named Willow, which reportedly completed a computing problem in five minutes—an undertaking that would require more time than the entire history of the universe for a classical computer.
Tech companies are pursuing quantum computing with the ambition of creating systems that can operate at speeds exceeding those of traditional silicon-based computers.
The fundamental components of quantum computers, known as "qubits," are known for their speed but also for being prone to errors. This makes it challenging to ensure that quantum computers are both reliable and commercially viable.
In general, as the number of qubits increases in quantum computing, the number of errors tends to rise as well. However, Google announced on Monday that it has developed a method to connect qubits in the Willow chip, allowing the error rates to decrease as the number of qubits increases. The chip also features the capability to correct errors in real time.
Since Nobel laureate Richard Feynman introduced the idea of quantum computing in 1981, scientists globally have been making consistent progress in quantum research, reaching notable breakthroughs. Nevertheless, the creation of a practical, general-purpose quantum computer continues to be a long-term goal.
Certain scientists remain skeptical about the true capabilities of Google's Willow chip.
Professor Alan Woodward, a computing specialist at Surrey University, noted that while quantum computers are expected to outperform current "classical" computers in various tasks, they will not entirely replace them.
He cautioned against exaggerating the significance of Willow's success based on a single test result.
"One has to be careful not to compare apples and oranges," the expert remarked to the BBC.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
On Monday, Google introduced a chip named Willow, which reportedly completed a computing problem in five minutes—an undertaking that would require more time than the entire history of the universe for a classical computer.
Tech companies are pursuing quantum computing with the ambition of creating systems that can operate at speeds exceeding those of traditional silicon-based computers.
The fundamental components of quantum computers, known as "qubits," are known for their speed but also for being prone to errors. This makes it challenging to ensure that quantum computers are both reliable and commercially viable.
In general, as the number of qubits increases in quantum computing, the number of errors tends to rise as well. However, Google announced on Monday that it has developed a method to connect qubits in the Willow chip, allowing the error rates to decrease as the number of qubits increases. The chip also features the capability to correct errors in real time.
Since Nobel laureate Richard Feynman introduced the idea of quantum computing in 1981, scientists globally have been making consistent progress in quantum research, reaching notable breakthroughs. Nevertheless, the creation of a practical, general-purpose quantum computer continues to be a long-term goal.
Certain scientists remain skeptical about the true capabilities of Google's Willow chip.
Professor Alan Woodward, a computing specialist at Surrey University, noted that while quantum computers are expected to outperform current "classical" computers in various tasks, they will not entirely replace them.
He cautioned against exaggerating the significance of Willow's success based on a single test result.
"One has to be careful not to compare apples and oranges," the expert remarked to the BBC.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
