Google achieves major milestone in quantum computing with new algorithm

Google’s latest quantum computing breakthrough showcases unprecedented speed and precision in molecule analysis, but experts caution that practical applications are still several years away from becoming a reality

Google has announced a significant step forward in quantum computing, unveiling a new algorithm that has successfully performed a task previously considered impossible for traditional supercomputers. The development, which marks a crucial milestone in the field, demonstrates the potential of quantum machines to accelerate scientific discovery in areas such as pharmaceuticals and materials research.

A new benchmark for quantum performance

The new algorithm, detailed in a peer-reviewed paper published in Nature, allowed Google’s quantum computer to calculate the structure of a molecule with exceptional precision. According to the company, this achievement represents the first verified instance of a “beyond-classical” computation one that cannot be replicated by even the most advanced conventional systems.

“This is the first time any quantum computer has successfully run a verifiable algorithm surpassing supercomputer capabilities,” Google stated in a blog post. “This repeatable, beyond-classical computation lays the foundation for scalable verification, moving quantum technology closer to real-world applications.”

Michel Devoret, Google Quantum AI’s chief scientist and a recent Nobel laureate in physics, described the accomplishment as “a new step towards full-scale quantum computation.” The algorithm enabled Google’s quantum hardware to operate roughly 13,000 times faster than a classical computer on the same problem, signaling a clear performance leap.

Promise and practical challenges ahead

Despite the breakthrough, Google acknowledged that the practical use of quantum computers remains years away. Experts have noted that while the new algorithm demonstrates “quantum advantage,” its immediate impact is limited to specific scientific tasks. For example, Google researchers used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) verification a technique related to MRI scans to validate results for two molecules, uncovering new details not typically observed through NMR alone.

Winfried Hensinger, Professor of Quantum Technologies at the University of Sussex, called the achievement a “convincing proof” that quantum computers are becoming more powerful, though he emphasized that fully fault-tolerant systems remain distant. “Truly transformative quantum computers will need millions of stable qubits,” he explained, adding that today’s quantum hardware faces severe limitations due to the extreme cooling required for stable operation.

Google’s Vice President of Engineering, Hartmut Neven, said real-world applications might still be five years away. Nevertheless, the progress made with the new “quantum echoes” algorithm reinforces Google’s leadership in the race toward practical, scalable quantum computing.