Google announces it has achieved something game changing — quantum supremacy. But not everybody agrees.The company claims its quantum computer called Sycamore has solved a problem that no classical computer could manage in hundreds of thousands of years. IBM wants this stricken from history.A war of words breaks out as two tech giants race to build a useful quantum computer that could change how the world works.Got feedback? Email us sciencefriction@abc.net.auGuests:Scott YoungCropping and livestock farmer in Ballan, VictoriaGideon LichfieldJournalist, former editor-in-chief of WIRED and MIT Technology ReviewProfessor John Martinis2025 Nobel laureate in PhysicsCredits:<ul><li>Presenter: Jacinta Bowler</li><li>Producer: Fiona Pepper</li><li>Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor</li><li>Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove</li><li>Sound Engineer: Tim Jenkins</li><li>Archives Research: Lisa Chidlow, Michael Osmond</li></ul>This story was made on the lands of the Wurundjeri, Gadigal and Menang Noongar peoples.More information<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-019-1666-5">Quantum supremacy using a programmable superconducting processor</a><a href="https://www.ibm.com/quantum/blog/on-quantum-supremacy">On “quantum supremacy” - IBM</a>

Google announces it has achieved something game changing — quantum supremacy. But not everybody agrees. The company claims its quantum computer called Sycamore has solved a problem that no classical computer could manage in hundreds of thousands of years. IBM wants this stricken from history. A war of words breaks out as two tech giants race to build a useful quantum computer that could change how the world works. Got feedback? Email us sciencefriction@abc.net.au Guests: Scott YoungCropping and livestock farmer in Ballan, Victoria Gideon LichfieldJournalist, former editor-in-chief of WIRED and MIT Technology Review Professor John Martinis2025 Nobel laureate in Physics Credits:Presenter: Jacinta BowlerProducer: Fiona PepperSenior Producer: Shelby TraynorExecutive Producer: Petria LadgroveSound Engineer: Tim JenkinsArchives Research: Lisa Chidlow, Michael OsmondThis story was made on the lands of the Wurundjeri, Gadigal and Menang Noongar peoples. More information Quantum supremacy using a programmable superconducting processor On “quantum supremacy” - IBM

Google announces it has achieved something game changing — quantum supremacy. But not everybody agrees.The company claims its quantum computer called Sycamore has solved a problem that no classical computer could manage in hundreds of thousands of years.&nbsp;IBM wants this stricken from history.A war of words breaks out as two tech giants race to build a useful quantum computer that could change how the world works.Got feedback? Email us sciencefriction@abc.net.auGuests:Scott YoungCropping and livestock farmer in Ballan, VictoriaGideon LichfieldJournalist, former editor-in-chief of WIRED and MIT Technology ReviewProfessor John Martinis2025 Nobel laureate in PhysicsCredits:<ul><li>Presenter: Jacinta Bowler</li><li>Producer: Fiona Pepper</li><li>Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor</li><li>Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove</li><li>Sound Engineer: Tim Jenkins</li><li>Archives Research: Lisa Chidlow, Michael Osmond</li></ul>This story was made on the lands of the Wurundjeri, Gadigal and Menang Noongar peoples.More information<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-019-1666-5" rel="noopener noreferrer">Quantum supremacy using a programmable superconducting processor</a><a href="https://www.ibm.com/quantum/blog/on-quantum-supremacy" rel="noopener noreferrer">On “quantum supremacy” - IBM</a>

01 | Dead and Alive: Battle for quantum supremacy

Quantum computers could be the next giant leap in technology — transforming how we heal people, how we grow food, how we get around our cities.

So how close are we to the quantum future we've been promised?

For Science Friction on ABC Radio National, Jacinta Bowler unpacks how the weird world of quantum physics could change everything.

Hear about the surprising twists, the quantum cat-fights and the plucky heroes that have defined humanity's effort to build nature's most unpredictable machine. 

Dead and Alive is a four-part series from Science Friction on ABC Radio National. Episode 1 is out on Wednesday, July 8th.

Artemis Explained (Season 6)

In humanity's next giant leap, astronauts are heading back to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years.

We'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates, from lift-off to splashdown, and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon.

The Challenger Legacy (Season 5) 

In January 1986, the Challenger space shuttle disintegrated 73 seconds after lift-off. This is the story of how the tragedy unfolded, the engineers who tried to stop it — and the enduring consequences for humanity's exploration of space. 

Artificial Evolution (Season 4): Three decades ago, Dolly the Sheep became the first ever cloned mammal. Nearly 30 years later, genetic technology has reshaped the world around us. Environment reporter Peter de Kruijff explores what's changed, where we are headed, and whether we're okay with it.

Brain Rot (Season 3): How does being chronically online affect our brains? Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre explores the wildest ways people are using tech — from falling in love with AI companions to data-dumping a life into a language model — and the big questions about our own screen use.

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Quantum computers could be the next giant leap in technology — transforming how we heal people, how we grow food, how we get around our cities. So how close are we to the quantum future we've been promised? For Science Friction on ABC Radio National, Jacinta Bowler unpacks how the weird world of quantum physics could change everything. Hear about the surprising twists, the quantum cat-fights and the plucky heroes that have defined humanity's effort to build nature's most unpredictable machine. Dead and Alive is a four-part series from Science Friction on ABC Radio National. Episode 1 is out on Wednesday, July 8th. Artemis Explained (Season 6) In humanity's next giant leap, astronauts are heading back to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years. We'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates, from lift-off to splashdown, and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon. The Challenger Legacy (Season 5) In January 1986, the Challenger space shuttle disintegrated 73 seconds after lift-off. This is the story of how the tragedy unfolded, the engineers who tried to stop it — and the enduring consequences for humanity's exploration of space. Artificial Evolution (Season 4): Three decades ago, Dolly the Sheep became the first ever cloned mammal. Nearly 30 years later, genetic technology has reshaped the world around us. Environment reporter Peter de Kruijff explores what's changed, where we are headed, and whether we're okay with it. Brain Rot (Season 3): How does being chronically online affect our brains? Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre explores the wildest ways people are using tech — from falling in love with AI companions to data-dumping a life into a language model — and the big questions about our own screen use. Cooked (Season 2): Why do some studies show ice cream is good for you? Why do some people say they feel good going carnivore, and do we really need as many electrolytes as the internet tells us? Food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett cuts through these confusing findings to explain how nutrition science works. AI Overlords (Season 1): AI didn't come from nowhere, and its development hasn't been a smooth, straight line — it's been rife with drama, conflict and disagreement. Technology reporter James Purtill looks at where AI came from, who controls it and where it's heading.

Quantum computers could be the next giant leap in technology — transforming how we heal people, how we grow food, how we get around our cities.

So how close are we to the quantum future we've been promised?

For Science Friction on ABC Radio National, Jacinta Bowler unpacks how the weird world of quantum physics could change everything.

Hear about the surprising twists, the quantum cat-fights and the plucky heroes that have defined humanity's effort to build nature's most unpredictable machine.&nbsp;

Dead and Alive is a four-part series from Science Friction on ABC Radio National. Episode 1 is out on Wednesday, July 8th.

Artemis Explained (Season 6)

In humanity's next giant leap, astronauts are heading back to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years.

We'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates, from lift-off to splashdown, and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon.

The Challenger Legacy (Season 5)&nbsp;

In January 1986, the Challenger space shuttle disintegrated 73 seconds after lift-off. This is the story of how the tragedy unfolded, the engineers who tried to stop it — and the enduring consequences for humanity's exploration of space.&nbsp;

Artificial Evolution (Season 4): Three decades ago, Dolly the Sheep became the first ever cloned mammal. Nearly 30 years later, genetic technology has reshaped the world around us. Environment reporter Peter de Kruijff explores what's changed, where we are headed, and whether we're okay with it.

Brain Rot (Season 3): How does being chronically online affect our brains? Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre explores the wildest ways people are using tech — from falling in love with AI companions to data-dumping a life into a language model — and the big questions about our own screen use.

Cooked (Season 2): Why do some studies show ice cream is good for you? Why do some people say they feel good going carnivore, and do we really need as many electrolytes as the internet tells us? Food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett cuts through these confusing findings to explain how nutrition science works.

AI Overlords (Season 1): AI didn't come from nowhere, and its development hasn't been a smooth, straight line — it's been rife with drama, conflict and disagreement. Technology reporter James Purtill looks at where AI came from, who controls it and where it's heading.

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01 | Dead and Alive: Battle for quantum supremacy

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