In a groundbreaking announcement, Google has revealed its latest quantum computing achievement: the quantum chip Willow, which is said to have performed in under five minutes a computational task that would take today's fastest supercomputers an estimated 10 septillion years to complete.

While the results have been met with excitement and skepticism, the company's claim that its quantum computer might be tapping into parallel universes has sparked intense debate in the scientific community.

According to Google Quantum AI founder Hartmut Neven, Willow's exceptional speed has lent support to the concept that quantum computation operates in a multiverse. This notion, first proposed by physicist David Deutsch, suggests that quantum computers could leverage parallel universes to achieve their rapid results. However, this interpretation is highly controversial.

Critics, including renowned physicist Ethan Siegel, argue that the multiverse theory is not necessarily supported by the success of quantum computing. He pointed out that quantum mechanics can function effectively without invoking the existence of parallel universes.

"You can have quantum mechanics work just fine, both physically and mathematically, without introducing even one parallel universe," Siegel said.

Quantum technology pushes boundaries of what is possible in computational science

Google's claims, while ambitious, are rooted in a significant technological leap. The Willow chip operates with 105 qubits, up from the 53 qubits of its predecessor, the Sycamore chip. This increase not only enhances the computational power of the machine but also addresses a key challenge in quantum computing: error correction. With its advanced design, Willow is capable of reducing errors as it scales up, marking a significant step toward practical quantum computing. (Related: Google's quantum leap: Willow chip pushes boundaries of computing power.)

The potential applications of quantum computing are vast and transformative. Google envisions a future where quantum computers could help discover new medicines, design more efficient batteries for electric cars and accelerate progress in clean energy alternatives. Quantum technology's ability to process vast amounts of data simultaneously makes it an invaluable tool for solving some of the world's most complex problems.