China’s Jiuzhang Quantum Computer Achieves Near-Light-Speed...

China’s Jiuzhang Quantum Computer Achieves Near-Light-Speed CalculationsIn a stunning display of computational power,

China’s Jiuzhang quantum computer has accomplished a feat once deemed impossible: solving in 4 minutes a problem that would take the world’s fastest classical supercomputer an estimated 2.6 billion years.At the heart of this breakthrough lies photonic quantum computing—a radically different approach that uses photons (particles of light) instead of electrons to process information. Jiuzhang doesn’t follow the traditional bit-based logic of classical computers. Instead, it relies on Gaussian Boson Sampling, a method designed specifically to exploit the quirks of quantum mechanics by tracking how photons interfere with each other across dozens of modes. The result? An ability to simulate quantum systems of extreme complexity with unimaginable speed.This is more than just a benchmark. It’s a major milestone on the road to quantum supremacy—the point at which quantum computers outperform classical machines in tasks of real-world significance. Jiuzhang’s achievement doesn't just challenge traditional computing; it crushes its limits, opening new doors in fields like artificial intelligence, cryptography, drug discovery, climate modeling, and advanced materials.While practical, large-scale quantum computers are still in development, Jiuzhang’s performance proves that we’re no longer theorizing about the future of computation—we’re witnessing its arrival.