Google unveils quantum chip; security experts push for Q-safety

Google has unveiled its quantum chip, Willow, which it says can perform a standard computation in under five minutes, something that would take today’s fastest supercomputer an inconceivable amount of time ( “ten septillion years”).

Google Quantum AI’s founder and lead, Hartmut Neven added that the new chip moves the firm “significantly” on the path towards commercially relevant applications.

While most quantum use cases are still in the proof-of-concept stage, Neven added that the end goal was to build a useful, large-scale quantum computer that could harness quantum mechanics to benefit the world through scientific discovery “and tackling some of society’s greatest challenges.”

Quantum computers solve problems by testing many possible solutions simultaneously, while classical computers handle one solution at a time. Experts say that this “quantum advantage” makes them uniquely powerful for specific tasks.

One major challenge in quantum computing however, is errors, as particle-based quantum bits (Qubits) may exchange information with their environment, making it difficult to protect the information needed to complete a computation.

Typically, the more qubits the more likely an error (or “noise”, as it’s sometimes referred to). However, Neven said in the announcement that Google has proven to reduce the amount of errors with more qubits with Willow—something he is hailing as a “historic accomplishment”.

Everything you need to know about quantum.

While security experts hailed the new processor as a breakthrough, they used Google’s launch to remind firms about quantum safety and preparing for a time in which quantum computers will be capable of unpicking the cryptographic security systems used in organisations such as banks and telecoms companies.

Quantum safety expert Karl Holmqvist, founder of cyber vendor Lastwall, emphasised the importance of adopting and testing post-quantum cryptographic solutions now to avoid the risks of being unprepared when quantum computers reach cryptographically relevant capabilities.

“Would you rather understand the implications of post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) deployments, test them in your environments, and be prepared to rapidly deploy when needed—or risk losing your secrets?

Bottom line: The time to understand, test, and deploy PQC capabilities is now. It works. Get moving.”

The quantum chip was produced in Google’s new fabrication facility located in Santa Barbara.

Next, Google is aiming to demonstrate real-world applications. Although it may not be for a while, predictions from experts suggest mass adoption won’t take place for another decade.