Inside the sub-zero lair of the world's most powerful computer

BBC News - WorldEN 7 min read 100% complete January 8, 2026 at 01:04 AM

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long article 7 min

Faisal Islam visited Google's Quantum AI lab in Santa Barbara, California, to see Willow, their latest quantum computer. This powerful technology, housed in a sub-zero, oil barrel-sized device, is crucial for financial security, government secrets, and global economic competitiveness. Quantum computing aims to solve previously unsolvable problems, giving companies and countries a significant advantage. The facility, led by Hartmut Neven, is highly secretive due to export controls and the ongoing race for commercial supremacy. Each quantum computer is named and adorned with art, reflecting a Californian atmosphere within the high-security lab.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Yakushima 40% Mendocino 40% Bitcoin 50% Hartmut Neven ×270% Santa Barbara, California ×270% Faisal Islam ×270% Willow ×380% Google ×490%

Keywords

quantum computing 100% world's most powerful computer 90% google 80% economic supremacy 70% financial security 70% quantum ai lab 60% willow 60% absolute zero 50% hartmut neven 50% bitcoin 40%

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Positive

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BBC News - World

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90%

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quantum computing world's most powerful computer google economic supremacy financial security quantum ai lab willow absolute zero hartmut neven bitcoin

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