Experts predict that quantum computing is the future of technology and Google is at the forefront of this development. The company is testing a 20-qubit processor and aims to produce a 49-qubit chip by the end of 2023.

A qubit, short for "quantum bit," is a more advanced version of a standard computer bit. However, qubits are more unstable and prone to errors. To reach "quantum supremacy," the point when quantum computers can solve problems beyond the capabilities of classical computers, Google must create a 49-qubit processor with a two-qubit fidelity of 99.7%. Two-qubit fidelity measures a quantum computer's error rate.

Alan Ho, an engineer at Google, says his team is working on a 20-qubit system with two-qubit fidelity of 99.5%. Although less powerful and error-prone, Ho is confident they will achieve their goal.

For consumers, practical quantum devices are still far off as error correction is required before utilizing the power of quantum computing. Alan Ho estimates that error-corrected quantum computers could be available by 2027.

If Google succeeds in reaching quantum supremacy, it will be a significant advancement for the field of quantum science.