​In 2019, Google researchers announced the creation of a quantum computer, a machine capable of performing tasks that were previously impossible for traditional supercomputers. This breakthrough was hailed as a major milestone in the evolution of information technology. However, some scientists disputed the claim, and in the years since, traditional supercomputers have caught up to the feats of Google’s quantum computer.

On Monday, Google unveiled a new quantum computer, named Willow, that may put an end to this back-and-forth race with traditional machines. This development also points to a future where quantum computers could drive advancements in fields such as drug discovery and artificial intelligence.

Google’s quantum computer chip, Willow, was able to complete a mathematical calculation in less than five minutes that would take one of the world’s most powerful supercomputers 10 septillion years to complete. This is a length of time that exceeds the age of the known universe.

Quantum computing, which is based on the principles of quantum mechanics, is still an experimental technology. However, Google’s achievement shows that scientists are making steady progress in improving techniques that could allow quantum computing to live up to the high expectations that have surrounded this concept for decades.