Elon Musk has praised Google's latest quantum computing innovation, the Willow quantum chip. This new 'state-of-the-art' chip is designed to reduce computational errors exponentially as it scales up, potentially revolutionizing industries like drug discovery, fusion energy, and battery development.
Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai introduced Willow, highlighting its groundbreaking performance. According to Pichai, the chip solved a standard computation in less than 5 minutes—something that would take a leading supercomputer over 10^25 years to achieve.
Musk reacted with a simple "Wow" and engaged in an intriguing exchange with Pichai, suggesting a quantum computing cluster in space using SpaceX's Starship. Musk added, "Any self-respecting civilization should at least reach Kardashev Type II." He proposed placing solar panels in arid regions as a step toward building advanced technological infrastructures.
This marks another chapter in Musk's complex relationship with Google. Despite admiration for technological advancements like Willow, Musk has been openly critical of Google’s acquisition of DeepMind and has had tense views on Google's Gemini AI, calling it "racist" and “anti-civilization” in the past.
The discussion underscores Musk's ongoing interest in AI and space technology as he builds his AI venture xAI and SpaceX's technological future.