Google ‘Willow’ Quantum Chip: King’s College London Gains Early Access to System 13,000x Faster Than Supercomputers for Neural Modeling

GIGAZINE Japan

Overview

Google Quantum AI Lab, in collaboration with the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), launched an early access program for its new ‘Willow’ quantum chip. On May 26, 2026, a King’s College London team led by Dr. Eleanor Crane secured early access to Willow, which is reported to compute 13,000 times faster than supercomputers. This team plans to model and study quantum analogs of brain neurons using Willow, providing a critical opportunity to accelerate applied quantum computing research.

In Depth

Key Findings

Google Quantum AI Lab has initiated an early access program for its novel ‘Willow’ quantum chip, in collaboration with the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC). On May 26, 2026, a research team from King’s College London, led by Dr. Eleanor Crane, secured early access to the Willow chip, which is reported to compute 13,000 times faster than conventional supercomputers. This groundbreaking access will be utilized to model and study quantum analogs of brain neurons, exploring the potential contributions of quantum computing to neuroscience.

Technical / Industry Context

• Google Willow Chip Performance: Google’s Willow chip is claimed to possess computational speeds vastly surpassing those of traditional supercomputers. This high performance is crucial for demonstrating “quantum advantage” in specific complex computational tasks. While specific qubit counts or architectural details of Willow are not explicitly detailed, it is presumed to belong to the latest generation of Google’s superconducting quantum qubit technology.
• Significance of Early Access Program: The early access program offered by Google in partnership with NQCC provides selected research institutions with the opportunity to directly utilize cutting-edge quantum computers for developing new quantum algorithms and applications. This initiative is vital for fostering the growth of the overall quantum ecosystem and accelerating the practical implementation of quantum technology.
• Application in Neuroscience: The King’s College London team’s plan to model and study quantum analogs of brain neurons using the Willow chip holds significant potential. It could break through the limitations of classical computational models in neuroscience, offering new perspectives for understanding brain functions and neurological diseases.

Background & International Competition

Quantum computing is a strategic technological field where the U.S., China, Europe, and Japan are engaged in intense international competition due to its revolutionary potential. Google has been a leader in this field since demonstrating “quantum supremacy” in 2019. The UK, through its NQCC, has also made significant investments in quantum technology, aiming to build a robust quantum ecosystem and strengthen international collaboration. This partnership underscores the shared ambition of both parties to jointly explore the frontiers of quantum technology.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

The utilization of the Google Willow chip by King’s College London demonstrates that quantum computing is evolving from a mere theoretical curiosity into a practical scientific research tool. Insights gained from this collaboration could accelerate the application of quantum computing not only in neuroscience but also in materials science, drug discovery, and artificial intelligence across a wide range of fields. As access to high-performance quantum devices like Willow expands, the pace of scientific discovery is expected to accelerate, leading to immeasurable impacts of quantum computing on society. This type of international cooperation is indispensable for advancing complex quantum technologies.