Google has revealed a cutting-edge quantum algorithm named “Quantum Echoes,” which the company claims marks a significant advancement toward the practical use of quantum computers in real-world applications. This announcement was made by the Google Quantum AI team, who highlighted a major breakthrough achieved in December 2024 with their latest quantum chip, Willow. Quantum Echoes is the first algorithm specifically designed for this new hardware.
The project”s findings have been published in the journal Nature, featuring contributions from prominent scientists, including Michel Devoret, a 2025 Nobel Laureate in Physics and a member of Google Research. A more technical publication detailing 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 on quantum computers,” stated Hartmut Neven, founder and director of Google Quantum AI.
According to Google, Quantum Echoes demonstrates a verified quantum advantage by performing calculations 13,000 times faster than the best classical algorithms on current supercomputers. This progress is notable for its quantum verifiability, meaning that results can be confirmed and replicated by other quantum computers with similar specifications. Such capabilities stem from ultra-low error rates and high-speed operations, which are among the most significant challenges in the field of quantum technology.
Unlike traditional computers that utilize bits, quantum computers operate with qubits, enabling them to process information at an atomic level and tackle problems that are currently beyond the reach of classical computing.
The most remarkable experiment involving Quantum Echoes was conducted in collaboration with the University of California, Berkeley. In this experiment, the algorithm was employed to determine the structure of two molecules—one containing 15 atoms and another with 28 atoms. The results aligned with those obtained through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), a technique widely used in medical imaging and molecular analysis, while also unveiling previously inaccessible information that traditional technology could not reveal.
Google describes this advancement as a step toward a “quantum microscope,” capable of measuring natural phenomena that were previously unobservable. An enhanced NMR powered by quantum computing could revolutionize drug discovery, advanced material design, and the development of next-generation batteries.
Although independent experts consider this achievement to be preliminary and affirm that practical quantum computing remains in the experimental stage, they acknowledge that Quantum Echoes stands out as one of the most promising advancements in the journey to transform quantum computers into viable tools for science, industry, and society.
