Google has introduced a new quantum algorithm named “Quantum Echoes,” which the company claims marks a significant advancement toward the practical application of quantum computing. This development was reported by the EFE agency and stems from the work of the Google Quantum AI team.
In December 2024, Google had announced a major breakthrough with its latest quantum chip, Willow, and now they have released their first algorithm specifically designed for this hardware. Some results from this project were published in the journal Nature, featuring contributions from prominent scientists, including Michel Devoret, a 2025 Nobel Prize winner in Physics and member of Google Research. Additionally, a more technical paper focusing on principle tests is available in the arXiv repository.
“We are optimistic and believe that within five years we will see real applications that are only possible with quantum computers,” stated Hartmut Neven, founder and director of Google Quantum AI.
According to Google, Quantum Echoes demonstrates a proven quantum advantage, executing calculations 13,000 times faster than the best classical algorithms running on current supercomputers. This advancement also highlights its quantum verifiability, meaning its results can be checked and replicated by another quantum computer with similar characteristics. Achieving this was made feasible through ultra-low error rates and high-speed operations, which are two of the most significant challenges in this type of technology.
Unlike conventional computers that utilize bits, quantum computers operate with qubits, allowing them to process information at the atomic level and tackle problems that are currently insurmountable for classical computation.
The most notable experiment conducted with Quantum Echoes involved a collaboration with the University of California, Berkeley, where the algorithm was employed to calculate the structures of two molecules, one consisting of 15 atoms and the other 28. The results obtained were consistent with those derived using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)—the same technique utilized in medicine and molecular analysis—but also uncovered novel information that traditional technology could not access.
Google characterizes this achievement as “a step toward a quantum microscope,” capable of measuring natural phenomena that were previously unobservable. An enhanced NMR utilizing quantum computing could revolutionize the search for new drugs, the design of advanced materials, or the development of next-generation batteries.
While independent experts regard this achievement as preliminary and note that practical quantum computing remains in the experimental phase, they acknowledge that Quantum Echoes represents one of the most promising strides toward making quantum computers useful tools for science, industry, and society.
