Google quantum exec says tech is '5 years out from a real breakout'

A handout picture from October 2019 shows Sundar Pichai with one of Google's Quantum Computers in the Santa Barbara lab, California, U.S. Picture taken in October 2019. Google/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. One of Google's top executives working on quantum computers said he believe the technology is only five years away from running practical applications that can't be calculated on modern computers. Julian Kelly, Google Quantum AI's director of hardware, told CNBC's Deirdre Bosa that a quantum computer may be able to do cutting-edge physics and potentially generate new kinds of data. "We think we're about five years out from a real breakout, kind of practical application that you can only solve on a quantum computer," said Kelly in an interview aired Tuesday. Quantum technology has enjoyed increased attention after Google announced a breakthrough in error correction in December that the company said suggested a path to working quantum computers. ... Read full article.