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The Jiuzhang 4.0 was developed by the University of Science and Technology of China and described in a study published in the journal Nature on May 13, 2026. The system solved the problem of Gaussian boson sampling at a speed 10 raised to the 54th power greater than that of the fastest supercomputer.
Chinese scientists have developed a quantum computer capable of solving problems at a practically incalculable speed when compared to the most powerful supercomputer on the planet. The equipment was named Jiuzhang 4.0 and its performance was described in a study published on May 13, 2026, in the scientific journal Nature, one of the most prestigious in the world in the field of exact sciences. The research was led by the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) and marks a new world record in the field of optical quantum information technology.
The main reason for the construction of Jiuzhang 4.0 is to demonstrate the so-called quantum advantage, a concept that describes the ability of a quantum computer to perform calculations impossible for traditional machines in a viable timeframe. To prove this, the researchers applied the system to the mathematical problem of Gaussian boson sampling. The result was a speed 10 raised to the 54th power greater than the fastest classical supercomputer in the world, a number so large that it breaks the human capacity for intuitive comparison with any traditional machine existing on the market today.
What is Jiuzhang 4.0 and how it was developed
Jiuzhang 4.0 is a prototype of a programmable quantum computer created by the University of Science and Technology of China. The equipment uses photons, particles that carry light, as a basis to perform its calculations, which classifies it within the field of optical quantum computing.
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Unlike traditional computers, which process information with bits that assume a value of zero or one, quantum systems work with qubits. These qubits exploit properties of quantum mechanics such as superposition and entanglement, which allows multiple calculations to be performed simultaneously, on a scale impossible for any classical architecture.
USTC has been developing the Jiuzhang family for years. The current model represents the fourth generation of the series, following previous versions that also marked significant advances in the area of Chinese quantum technology. The name Jiuzhang comes from an ancient Chinese mathematical work, in reference to the country’s millennial tradition in the study of mathematics.
The leap in relation to the previous version
Jiuzhang 4.0 represents a considerable advancement compared to the immediately previous version. The most striking difference is in the number of photons the system can manipulate and detect during calculations.
Researchers claim to have managed to manipulate and detect quantum states of up to 3,050 photons, a significant leap from the 255 photons that had been achieved with Jiuzhang 3.0. The number of photons is one of the main indicators of power in optical quantum computers, as more particles involved mean greater computational capacity.
This leap between the two versions shows the speed at which quantum technology is evolving. In a short time, the Chinese team multiplied the photon manipulation capacity by almost 12 times, paving the way for increasingly complex mathematical problems to be solved by the system.
The problem of Gaussian boson sampling
To demonstrate the capability of Jiuzhang 4.0, the researchers chose a specific mathematical problem called Gaussian boson sampling. It is a task considered extremely difficult for traditional computers, precisely because it requires calculations on a scale that makes the classical approach impractical.
The choice of the problem is not casual. Gaussian boson sampling is seen by the scientific community as a benchmark for measuring the real quantum advantage of a system, that is, how much it can go beyond the possibilities of classical computing.
The speed achieved by Jiuzhang 4.0 on this problem is what justifies the expression used by the researchers. Solving the same task at a speed 10 to the power of 54 times greater than the most powerful supercomputer in the world means, in practice, that what the Chinese system did in minutes would require an astronomical amount of time from traditional equipment, possibly exceeding the very age of the universe.
What 10 to the power of 54 means in practical terms
Comparing speeds on such an extreme scale often confuses even those who work with advanced mathematics. The number 10 to the power of 54 is, in decimal representation, a 1 followed by 54 zeros. For comparison, the total estimated number of stars in the entire observable universe is on the order of 10 to the power of 24.
This means that the speed difference between Jiuzhang 4.0 and the fastest classical supercomputer is incomparably greater than the relationship between a star and the entire universe. The number expresses not just a competitive advantage, but a level of computational capacity beyond the reach of any traditional machine, today or in foreseeable timeframes.
This type of comparison helps to understand the reason for the enthusiasm in the international scientific community. When a technology reaches this degree of superiority in a specific task, it paves the way for future applications that simply were not possible until then.
What changes in the global advancement of quantum computing
The announcement of Jiuzhang 4.0 repositions China as one of the leading global powers in quantum computing. The country competes for this leadership with the United States, where companies like IBM, Google, and specialized startups are also heavily investing in quantum research.
The difference is that the Chinese system explores a specific path, that of photonic-based optical quantum computing. This model differs from American approaches, which usually use superconducting qubits or ion traps, and shows that there are multiple viable technological paths for the future of quantum computing on a global scale.
The fact that the study was published in Nature, a journal that undergoes rigorous scientific evaluation, adds credibility to the announcement. It is not just a press release, but research validated by the international scientific community, which makes the milestone achieved by Jiuzhang 4.0 even more relevant.
The practical applications that may emerge in the coming years
The advantage demonstrated in the Gaussian boson sampling problem is, in itself, a capacity test. But the technology that makes this performance possible has practical applications that go far beyond this specific mathematical problem.
The fields that benefit most directly from the advancement of quantum computing include cryptography, molecule simulation for the development of new drugs, modeling of complex climate phenomena, and optimization of large-scale logistical processes. In each of these areas, problems that today require days or weeks on traditional supercomputers could be solved in minutes with sufficiently advanced quantum systems.
Jiuzhang 4.0 is still a research prototype, not a commercial product. Even so, the advancement demonstrated by the Chinese team indicates that the transition between laboratory and commercial application may happen sooner than was imagined a few years ago. Sectors such as pharmaceuticals, energy, and artificial intelligence are among those that would benefit the most from this transition when it happens.
The geopolitical message behind quantum research
The development of Jiuzhang 4.0 occurs at a time of intense geopolitical competition between China and the United States in the high-tech sector. Mastery over quantum computing is considered one of the central pillars of the next generation of industrial, military, and scientific innovation.
Countries that lead this race tend to gain significant strategic advantages in areas such as digital security, national defense, and economic competitiveness. The Chinese announcement of Jiuzhang 4.0 signals that the Asian country does not intend to fall behind in one of the most important technological races of the 21st century, with heavy public and private investments in quantum research in recent years.
For the United States, the news adds pressure on the American innovation ecosystem to accelerate its own advances. The reaction tends to translate into more government investments, more partnerships between universities and companies, and more focus on basic research related to quantum computing in the coming years.
The announcement of the Jiuzhang 4.0 quantum computer reinforces China’s leadership in cutting-edge scientific research and marks a significant advancement in the global race for quantum computing. The speed difference achieved in the Gaussian boson sampling problem places Chinese technology at an unprecedented level, with potential impacts in various areas of science and industry in the coming years.
And you, what do you think about this discovery? Do you believe that China will lead the next technological revolution? Do you think the advancement of quantum computing will change your daily life in a few years? Leave your comment, share your opinion, and tag someone interested in science and technology.
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