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Google's Quantum Algorithm Beats Supercomputers 13,000×, Sparks Encryption Concerns

6/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

Google announced a quantum breakthrough by running a verifiable algorithm that beat classical supercomputers.
The algorithm ran 13,000 times faster and revealed molecular details unseen by NMR.
Michel Devoret, Google quantum AI chief scientist and Nobel laureate, called it a step toward quantum computing.
Hartmut Neven said use may be years away because hardware needs cooling and many qubits, while cybersecurity experts warn it could break encryption, urging quantum-proof cryptography.

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Story summary

Google announced a quantum breakthrough by running a verifiable algorithm that beat classical supercomputers.
The algorithm ran 13,000 times faster and revealed molecular details unseen by NMR.
Michel Devoret, Google quantum AI chief scientist and Nobel laureate, called it a step toward quantum computing.
Hartmut Neven said use may be years away because hardware needs cooling and many qubits, while cybersecurity experts warn it could break encryption, urging quantum-proof cryptography.