What Google’s Quantum Supremacy Claims Mean for the Future of Computing

Google’s Santa Barbara state-of-the-art research facility confirmed it achieved quantum supremacy through a paper published in the scientific journal Nature on October 23rd. For the first time in the 40-year history of quantum computing, a quantum computer was able to perform a task that would be impossible for a normal computer; this advancement sent ripples throughout the science and tech communities. Seen by some as the start of a new era in tech and by others as a false milestone, this controversial paper has raised many questions about quantum technology, its applications and its revolutionary potential. 

Quantum technology relies on aspects of quantum physics, most importantly the dual wave-particle nature of quantum objects. In classical computing, a unit of memory (a bit) can only store one state of information (0 or 1), but in quantum physics, this bit is seen as a wave-like superposition of different regular states, allowing it to store much more information. This allows quantum computers with similar capacity and input to have exponentially more computing power than classical computers. The catch is that quantum information has to be reverted back to bits post-computing for a classical output, and quantum states can only be read in a probabilistic model which is not 100% accurate. The main challenge behind developing applications for quantum computers relies in making the reading process probabilistically viable for the problem at hand. This is what Google claim they have achieved. The paper alleges that a quantum computer accurately performed a benchmark mathematical calculation in 3 minutes and 20 seconds. They estimated it would have taken 10,000 years for 100,000 classical computers to perform the same task, showcasing for the first time an application for quantum computing that is not accessible to regular computing.  

The paper led to various reactions from other parties. IBM, one of Google’s main competitors in quantum computer development, released a preprint on October 21st before the publishing of the paper about Google’s breakthrough. It read that, with their analysis, the classical supercomputers would have only required 2.5 days (not 10,000 years) to perform the task, and that the claims of quantum supremacy were just a publicity gimmick. NASA, which had been collaborating with Google on the project, offered a more grounded but yet optimistic report. It stated that even though the results don’t spell the end of classical computers nor the full the rise of quantum computers, the feasibility of the experiment was ground-breaking in setting a path for the future of quantum computing technology. NASA showed particular interest in space travel applications of quantum computers, declaring that “Our missions in the decades to come to the Moon, Mars and beyond are all fueled by innovations like this one.” 

The main takeaway from Google's alleged quantum supremacy is that the technology is here, ready to be optimized. Google’s experiment was designed to show the potential of quantum computing, and in that regard it succeeded. Even with IBM’s calculations, the fact that thousands of top-end supercomputers could barely match the power of an experimental quantum computer speaks volumes about the potential applications of the technology. Of course, Artificial Intelligence and quantum computing go hand in hand; indeed, AI is the computing domain that could benefit the most from a leap in processing power. As Google also invests heavily in AI research for a variety of applications from search engine optimization to cloud computing monitoring, this breakthrough could prove crucial for the development of other more ambitious projects. Quantum computing is gaining traction across the world with venture capitalists investing considerable funds in the technology, more than $450 million form VCs to quantum computing start-ups, and governments as well, as can be seen through Trump’s $1.2 billion National Quantum Initiative. Google’s head start firmly places the tech giant at the forefront of a revolution in computing that will shape the technological world in the years to come.  

Finally, one cannot talk about quantum computing without mentioning its potential applications toward encryption and cyberwarfare. Indeed, a quantum-powered AI could easily bypass today’s most advanced encryption systems and reach sensitive data. In the wake of rising US-China tensions, both governments consider quantum computing a national security priority. In fact, the PRC is spending $400 million on a new quantum-oriented lab. Google and their new computer could find themselves at the epicenter of new geopolitical conflicts. This breakthrough has kickstarted a new era of technology that will have a profound impact on our world, opening up the opportunities for many promising but also dangerous applications.