Explained: What is quantum supremacy?

Quantum supremacy is a milestone that has been long sought in computing, and now Google has announced it has reached it. A look at the science behind the concept, and what was really achieved and how much remains.

A component of Google’s Quantum Computer in the Santa Barbara lab, California, US. (Photo via Reuters)

This week, Google announced that it has achieved a breakthrough called quantum supremacy in computing. What does that mean, and why is it important?