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D-Wave says its quantum computers can solve otherwise impossible tasks

Quantum computing firm D-Wave says its machines are the first to achieve "computational supremacy" by solving a practically useful problem that would otherwise take millions of years on an ordinary supercomputer

By Matthew Sparkes

7 March 2024

A D-Wave Advantage quantum computer in Julich, Germany

Lukas Schulze/Getty Images

Quantum computers can now solve problems with real-world applications faster than any ordinary computer, suggesting they could be commercially viable, say researchers at quantum computing firm D-Wave. However, outside observers are more cautious.

It had long been hoped that quantum computers will be able to perform some tasks that are impractical or impossible on even the best supercomputers. Google was the first to demonstrate this “quantum supremacy” in 2019, but only for a somewhat contrived benchmark test with no practical use. Earlier this month, Google …

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