Google’s Quantum AI team recently introduced its new quantum computing chip named Willow, which can solve computational problems in under five minutes, a task that would take the most advanced supercomputers approximately 10 septillion years. The chip features enhanced error correction capabilities, allowing it to exponentially reduce error rates as it scales with more qubits. Currently comprising 105 qubits, Willow has not yet reached the scale needed to threaten cryptocurrency encryption, which estimates suggest would require around 13 million qubits for practical decryption of Bitcoin within a day. Despite this, the advancements made represent significant progress in quantum computing. Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted Willow's potential applications in areas like drug discovery and energy solutions. Experts in the field acknowledge that while this technology is promising, there is still considerable distance to cover before it becomes a threat to current encryption methods.

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