By Zainab Shafiq 
On Monday, Google was thrilled to introduce Willow, a groundbreaking quantum chip that redefines what’s possible in computing. Willow sets a new benchmark in quantum performance, tackling two long-standing challenges: error correction and unmatched computational speed.
In its blog, Google wrote that this innovation is more than just an incremental upgrade—it’s a leap toward a future where quantum computers will tackle problems far beyond the reach of today’s classical machines.
Revolutionizing Quantum Error Correction
Errors have always been the Achilles’ heel of quantum computing. Qubits, the fundamental units of quantum computation, are notoriously fragile. The more you scale, the more errors creep in, threatening to derail computations. That’s where Willow stands out.
For the first time, researchers have shown exponential error reduction as more qubits are added to the system. By using a grid-based approach, Willow scaled from 3×3 to 7×7 qubit arrays while halving error rates at each step. This milestone, known as operating “below the threshold,” has been a holy grail in quantum computing for nearly 30 years. By showing that error correction improves with scale, Willow paves the way for building reliable, large-scale quantum computers.
Unbelievable Speed: 10 Septillion Years vs. 5 Minutes
The power of quantum computing is perhaps best shown through benchmarks, and the performance of Willow on the Random Circuit Sampling (RCS) benchmark is simply jaw-dropping. It completed a computation in under five minutes that would take one of today’s fastest supercomputers 10 septillion years. To put that into perspective, 10 septillion years vastly exceeds the age of the universe itself!
This discovery not only confirms that Willow runs at an incredible speed but also shows how quantum systems can solve problems that are impossible for classical computers. The results bring us closer to a future where quantum machines solve real-world, commercially relevant problems in medicine, energy, and AI.
Why Willow is a Game-Changer
Willow did not appear overnight. It is the culmination of over a decade of research and development, and system engineering at Google Quantum AI. Built-in a state-of-the-art fabrication facility in Santa Barbara, Willow’s design balances all aspects of quantum computing-from qubit quality to system integration. With 105 high-quality qubits, Willow leads in key metrics like gate fidelity and qubit coherence time.
Unlike the rest that simply keeps adding more qubits, Willow focuses on holistic performance, ensuring every component works seamlessly. This attention to detail explains why Willow outpaces its predecessors and its closest rivals.
What is Next for Quantum Computing?
This is not the end of the journey. The next big challenge is achieving a useful, beyond-classical computation that directly addresses real-world applications. While benchmarks like RCS demonstrate Willow’s potential, researchers are now focused on bridging the gap between theoretical quantum advantage and practical utility.
From speeding up training for AI to finding new and better ways of producing clean energy and designing drugs, quantum computers such as Willow will be key to meeting the biggest challenges for society and this is only the start. Once we achieve better error correction and work on more sophisticated algorithms, much more will become possible in terms of science and industry.
Quantum Revolution
Excited to see what the future may bring? You can be a part of this revolutionary revolution. Learn more about topics such as quantum error correction and others by exploring our free, open-source quantum tools and educational resources.
Not a dream anymore, but real: quantum computing is underway, and Willow is at its forefront. Together, let’s shape a brighter future.