Google claims quantum breakthrough

New algorithm 13,000 times faster than traditional computing

Google has claimed a breakthrough in its quantum research after developing an algorithm which performed a task around 13,000 times faster than standard computers can manage.

The algorithm is called Quantum Echoes, and it runs on Google’s own quantum chip. The algorithm was able to compute the structure of a molecule, which according to Google paves the way for practical applications of quantum computing combined with AI.

“This is the first time in history that any quantum computer has successfully run a verifiable algorithm that surpasses the ability of supercomputers,” Google said in a blog post. “This repeatable, beyond-classical computation is the basis for scalable verification, bringing quantum computers closer to becoming tools for practical applications.”

Google acknowledged, however, that real-world use of quantum computers remains years away, although the company hopes that the Quantum Echoes algorithm could have practical applications in material science and drug discovery.

Last year, Google unveiled its quantum chip, Willow, claiming at the time that that its research had overcome a crucial problem with "qubits", the building blocks of quantum computing.

Julian Kelly, Head of hardware at Google Quantum AI said recently that, “all the [remaining] engineering and scientific challenges are surmountable".

According to executives at Google, the development of the new algorithm is roughly equivalent in significance to the Willow chip.

Amazon and Microsoft are also investing in quantum computing. In August, an SEC filing revealed that Amazon has such $36.7 million in IonQ, which purports to b ethe world's first pure-play quantum computing company. Microsoft unveiled its own Majorana 1 quantum chip earlier this year.