Key Points
- Google introduces a quantum chip, Willow, capable of reducing error rates as more qubits are added.
- Despite advancements, Willow is not yet capable of breaking Bitcoin’s security, as it would require millions of high-quality qubits.
Google has recently unveiled a new quantum chip, Willow, which is generating significant excitement in the scientific community. Willow is a quantum computer, a machine that uses the principles of quantum physics to perform calculations. Unlike regular computers that use “bits,” quantum computers employ “qubits,” which can be both 0 and 1 simultaneously, allowing for the exploration of multiple possibilities at once. This characteristic can make them incredibly fast at solving certain problems.
The Challenge of Errors
The construction of a functional quantum computer is not without its challenges. The primary issue is errors. Qubits are highly sensitive and can easily be “distracted” by their environment. In quantum computing, an increase in the number of qubits typically results in more errors. If these errors accumulate, the computer ceases to behave quantumly and starts acting like a regular machine, losing all its unique advantages.
What Sets Willow Apart?
Willow, Google’s new chip, brings a remarkable feature to the table. Usually, running larger quantum circuits results in more errors. However, Willow demonstrates the opposite: as more qubits are added, the total error rate decreases. This may seem minor, but it is a significant breakthrough that scientists have been trying to achieve for nearly three decades. If you can continue to add qubits while reducing errors, you can start to build larger and more reliable quantum computers capable of solving real-world problems.
Bitcoin’s security is dependent on complex mathematical problems. Current computers struggle to break the code that keeps Bitcoin secure. However, quantum computers may find shortcuts, making it easier to solve these problems and potentially compromise the security. This has led to concerns that a chip like Willow could hack Bitcoin. Despite Willow’s impressive advancements, it is still far from being able to break Bitcoin’s security. Experts suggest that at least a million high-quality qubits would be needed to threaten Bitcoin’s encryption. Willow currently has about 105 qubits— a considerable number, but nowhere near a million.
For the time being, Bitcoin and similar systems are safe from Willow and other existing quantum computers. The jump from 105 qubits to millions of error-free qubits is substantial. It’s akin to transitioning from riding a bicycle to building a spaceship bound for Mars. Scientists are aware of what they need to do, but it will still require many years—possibly decades—of diligent work.
At present, quantum computers are primarily used for tests to prove they can outperform traditional machines at specific tasks. The next significant goal is to use these machines to solve a problem that matters in the real world—something meaningful, like discovering a new drug or optimizing a complex process, and doing it faster than any regular computer could. Google’s Willow is a significant step closer to that future. It has demonstrated that we can control errors and perform computations that classical computers can’t manage. As research progresses, we can expect more breakthroughs, larger chips, and eventually, machines capable of tackling incredibly complex challenges.
