The search giant claims to have achieved so-called quantum supremacy, which Google defines as a programmable quantum computer performing a task so demanding that in practical terms it would be impossible for a regular computer. The quantum processor collected one million samples of a quantum circuit in approximately 200 seconds, which would have taken a state-of-the-art supercomputer an estimated 10,000 years. Experts say quantum computing can be orders of magnitude more powerful than traditional computers. Experts say quantum computing can be applied across industries, including pharmaceuticals, finance and transportation. Google’s quantum researchers have been working for years to solve two major technical problems to commercialize quantum computing.

Source: Wall Street Journal October 23, 2019 15:11 UTC