Google's Quantum Supremacy by Sarah Bargfrede

To start, let me just say that I have no idea what quantum computing is. I hear the term and I immediately think of mind-boggling equations with graphs, decimals, and fractions in all the wrong places, fictional scientists that closely resemble Spock, and that one scene from Avengers Endgame where Ant-Man enters the quantum realm. Not that I lack faith in Marvel’s scientific accuracy but all things considered I can hardly be considered an expert on the subject.  With this disclaimer established I will now attempt to explain it with the knowledge I have acquired via an article (that made minimal sense to me) and a seven-minute YouTube video on the subject. 

In simple terms, quantum computing is a way to solve a problem using a computer that varies from the typical linear functioning computer we use on a daily basis. Our computers possess a single path that manipulates data. It branches off in many directions depending on the input of the binary numbers 0 or 1 (aka true or false, on or off). This path is followed in a consecutive fashion until a result is reached. In a quantum computer, however, this linear style is replaced with a more powerful and simultaneous one. In it, multiple paths are computed at the same time and additional choices (aside from the typical 0 or 1) are generated to form a qubit of information. All this gibberish basically breaks down into one grand takeaway; quantum computing is fast. So fast in fact, that a 30 qubit quantum computer would equal the processing power of a conventional computer running at 10 trillion mathematical operations (+-*/) per second. 

And now, Google has created another quantum computer, one that possesses 53 qubits. That's 23 additional qubits of information to the computer described above (which you probably would have figured out through the power of basic math). This supreme quantum computer has been demonstrated to take a mere 200 seconds to perform a calculation that a conventional computer would take an estimated 10,000 years to compute. I may not fully understand what the heck a quantum computer is but its evident even to me that this power can be revolutionary.

The machine won’t be hitting the stores any time soon but it is predicted to have a major impact on our life and technological capabilities. With the increased efficiency, quantum computers can provide an excessively simple way to steal credit card numbers or other sensitive information on the internet. In a less daunting possibility, (or maybe more, depending on your fear of a robot apocalypse) the new power is expected to play a revolutionary role in our creation of AI technology. As part of the computer science strand in the school, the progression of technology in our world is incredibly interesting to me. I may never understand how zeros and ones can lead to the incredible interfaces we see on computer and phone screens today, but it is amazing to see all that can be done with simple lines of text. There is still much work to be done in order to make this new advancement into the world-changing invention it may become, however, with Google still making improvements and upgrades to their quantum computer, we better keep an eye out for this incredible piece of technology.

I mean what even is this...