23rd October 2019
Google claims to achieve quantum supremacy

On 23rd October 2019, the science magazine Nature publised an article titled "Quantum supremacy using a programmable superconducting processor".

The article explains how Google, NASA, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, used Google’s Sycamore quantum processor to perform calculations in seconds that would take classical processors thousands of years. This milestone in computing performance, where a quantum computer can solve a problem that would take a classical computer an unfeasible amount of time, is called quantum supremacy.

IBM was quick to disagree with Google's claim, saying:

"Google’s experiment is an excellent demonstration of the progress in superconducting-based quantum computing. But it should not be viewed as proof that quantum computers are ‘supreme’ over classical computers."

Related information:

• Centre for Computing History: Google
• Nature: Quantum supremacy using a programmable superconducting processor
• NASA: Google and NASA Achieve Quantum Supremacy
• Google: What our quantum computing milestone means
• The Guardian: Google claims it has achieved 'quantum supremacy' – but IBM disagrees

Image:

• Artist's rendition of the Goolge Sycamore processor mounted in a cryostat.
  Credit: Forest Stearns, Google AI Quantum Artist in Residence. Images remain the copyright of the original copyright holder. Used under fair use policy for educational purposes only.