Google working on quantum chip to allow human-like thought

Google has announced it is developing next generation quantum computer chip as part of its plan to enable machines to think like humans. The effort is the second one in the field for Google, which already collaborates with D-Wave Systems Inc., a Canadian startup company that’s claimed to have commercially shipped quantum computers. Google and NASA together have purchased one such machine and Lockheed Martin Corporation is another buyer.

Google’s Quantum Artificial Intelligence team will collaborate with the University of California, Santa Barbara on the new project to “design and build new quantum information processors based on superconducting electronics,” Hartmut Neven, the company’s director of engineering, said in the post.

The internet titan added UC Santa Barbara’s John Martinis, a London Prize winner, and his team to the Quantum Artificial Intelligence team at Google. The London Prize recognized his “pioneering advances in quantum control and quantum information processing,” according to the Google.

With an integrated hardware group the Quantum AI team will now be able to implement and test new designs for quantum optimisation and inference processors based on recent theoretical insights as well as our learning's from the D-Wave quantum annealing architecture," Mr Neven said of the quest for a transformative new chip.

"We will continue to collaborate with D-Wave scientists and to experiment with the ‘Vesuvius’ machine at NASA Ames which will be upgraded to a 1000 qubit ‘Washington’ processor," he said.

Google has been focusing on developing artificial intelligence in recent years. The company is working on self-driving cars and robots. Earlier in January, the internet giant acquired artificial intelligence company Deep Mind Technologies Ltd.

Take a look at Google’s video on quantum computing here -