Google reports quantum supremacy with its 53-qubit Sycamore processor

Google Quantum AI/Willow and error-correction roadmap

In Nature, Google reported that its 53-qubit Sycamore processor sampled from random circuits in about 200 seconds, a task the company estimated would take a classical supercomputer thousands of years. It was the first claimed demonstration of a quantum computer beating classical machines on a specific task, though the practical utility of random-circuit sampling remained debated.

• 200 seconds for Sycamore vs. thousands of years classically on random-circuit sampling—quantum advantage claimed.
• 53-qubit superconducting processor; quantum state space size 2^53 (~10^16).
• Task: finding patterns in random numbers generated by processor's own qubits on 53 qubits.
• First claimed quantum supremacy; published Nature Oct. 24, 2019; practical utility of benchmark debated in field.