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"Quantum supremacy is the potential ability of quantum computing devices to solve problems that classical computers practically cannot." From: https://en.wikipe

"Quantum supremacy is the potential ability of quantum computing devices to solve problems that classical computers practically cannot." From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_supremacy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_supremacy IBMs responce: "We argue that an ideal simulation of the same task can be performed on a classical system in 2.5 days and with far greater fidelity. This is in fact a conservative, worst-case estimate, and we expect that with additional refinements the classical cost of the simulation can be further reduced." From: https://www.ibm.com/blogs/research/2019/10/on-quantum-supremacy/ https://www.ibm.com/blogs/research/2019/10/on-quantum-suprem...

pgeorgi 7y ago
> practically or efficiently are terms of trade for computer scientists and mean that there's a polynomial upper bound. On the other hand IBM also claims (from the graphs? not sure if they have anything more to back up the claim) that their scheme "scales approximately linearly with the circuit depth" which would likely make the experiment meaningless. The entire post is a bit odd though since it starts out with a serious discussion of computer science topics and then swerves into criticism of how the media misuses terms.
j1vms 7y ago
> same task can be performed on a classical system in 2.5 days and with far greater fidelity. Currently at a much greater cost in time and space, which is why they are saying "can be performed" not "has been performed". > we expect that with additional refinements the classical cost of the simulation can be further reduced Any such refinements would be certainly interesting to see, as they would probably be very hard won.