Quantum computing has long felt like science fiction — an idea perpetually just over the horizon. But according to one of Google’s top quantum executives, that horizon might be closer than we think.
Quantum Computers Nearing a Practical Edge
Julian Kelly, Google Quantum AI’s director of hardware, believes the technology is on the brink of something extraordinary. “We think we’re about five years out from a real breakout, kind of practical application that you can only solve on a quantum computer,” he said in a recent interview with CNBC’s Deirdre Bosa.
It’s a bold claim, but not an empty one. Quantum technology has been gathering momentum, particularly after Google announced a breakthrough in error correction last December — a significant step toward making quantum systems reliable and useful.
Error correction has been a thorny problem for the field. Quantum bits, or qubits, are notoriously fragile. They can flip states or lose their data altogether when exposed to even the smallest disturbances. Google’s progress suggests a path to stable, working quantum computers, capable of tackling problems classical machines can’t touch.
Racing Toward a Quantum Future
Google isn’t the only player in this high-stakes race. Microsoft recently unveiled a new quantum computing chip, dubbed Majorana. CEO Satya Nadella described it as an unprecedented innovation, saying the company had to create “an entirely new state of matter” to make it work.
The competition underscores how transformative the technology could be. Quantum machines aren’t just faster versions of today’s computers — they compute in an entirely different way. Classical computers rely on bits that exist as either a 0 or 1. Qubits, on the other hand, leverage quantum mechanics to exist in multiple states at once, thanks to a phenomenon called superposition.
“Quantum computers speak quantum mechanics — they can access the way the universe works at the most fundamental level,” Kelly explained.
The Road to One Million Qubits
Right now, Google’s most advanced quantum computer boasts 105 qubits. That’s impressive, but still a long way from the million or more qubits experts say will be needed for practical, large-scale applications.
Why so many? Because error correction — the very thing Google recently made strides on — requires redundancy. One logical, stable qubit might demand thousands of physical qubits to maintain. Building a million-qubit system isn’t just about scale; it’s about creating a machine that can handle noise, interference, and errors without crashing.
Still, the pace of progress is accelerating. A few years ago, even the idea of a 100-qubit machine seemed distant. Now, Google’s roadmap — and its competitors’ efforts — hint that the million-qubit milestone might not be as far off as it seems.
Where Quantum Might Hit First
So what’s the killer app for quantum computing? Kelly points to advanced physics simulations as one of the first practical uses. “Areas where you’ve got some system that’s sort of just out of reach of what a classical computer can do,” he said.
Possible early breakthroughs include:
- Simulating complex molecules for drug discovery, potentially revolutionizing medicine.
- Designing advanced materials, like superconductors, that could transform energy storage and transmission.
- Optimizing massive logistical systems — think airline schedules, global shipping routes, or even financial portfolios — with an efficiency no classical computer could match.
The reality is, we might not even know what quantum’s greatest breakthroughs will be yet. The internet itself started as an academic experiment before reshaping the world in ways no one predicted.
Quantum computing could follow a similar path — moving from niche scientific tool to a force that reshapes industries, economies, and maybe even daily life.
