Google has introduced its latest quantum computing chip, Willow, which has captured significant attention for its groundbreaking speed and performance. Alongside these advancements, a claim by Hartmut Neven, founder of Google Quantum AI, has sparked debates in both scientific and technological circles. Neven suggested that Willow’s extraordinary capabilities might provide evidence for the existence of parallel universes and the multiverse—a theory first proposed by physicist David Deutsch.
According to Google, Willow performed a computation in under five minutes that would take modern supercomputers an estimated 10 septillion years—an incomprehensibly long period that far exceeds the age of the universe itself. Neven argued that such performance supports the idea that quantum computations may occur across multiple universes, as predicted by the multiverse theory.
Quantum computers differ from classical machines by using qubits, which can exist as 0, 1, or both simultaneously through a phenomenon known as superposition. Qubits also leverage quantum entanglement, where particles remain interconnected regardless of distance. These features enable quantum computers to tackle problems far beyond the capabilities of classical systems. However, the more qubits are used, the more error-prone the system becomes, presenting significant challenges for reliability. Google claims that Willow has succeeded in reducing such errors, marking a critical step forward for the technology.
While the implications of Willow’s performance are significant, some experts remain skeptical. Critics note that the benchmark used to measure Willow’s capabilities was developed by Google itself, raising questions about the objectivity of the results. Additionally, while the multiverse theory is an area of serious study, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. The link between quantum computing and parallel universes, while intriguing, is not yet definitively proven.
The unveiling of Willow highlights the dual challenges and opportunities within quantum computing. On the one hand, its success could revolutionize fields like cryptography, artificial intelligence, and materials science. On the other, it raises profound philosophical questions about the nature of reality and the limits of human understanding.
