The Quantum Leap: How Art Drives Scientific Breakthroughs like the New Google Willow Chip
Last week, I was sitting in sunny Santa Barbara, catching up with my friends Dr. Erik Lucero, the Lead Production Quantum Hardware at Google, and Forest Stearns, the founder of the Google Quantum Artist-in-Residence program at their offices in Goleta. We weren’t just hanging out over tacos, though that’s often part of the equation when we’re together. This time, we were speaking at the Culture XChange event at the invitation of the team at the Berkeley Haas School of Business. These virtual meetings are hosted by Jennifer Chatman, Interim Dean at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, and Sameer Srivastava, founder of the Berkeley Haas Center for Workplace Culture and Innovation.
The podcast episode focused on something Erik, Forest, and I all believe deeply in: the powerful intersection of art, science, and workplace culture and how creativity drives innovation in even the most technical of fields. And as it turns out, we couldn’t have picked a better time to discuss it. Just a few days later, Google announced the release of its Willow chip, a groundbreaking quantum computing achievement that left even Elon Musk impressed. A result of the work of scientists at the same lab I just visited!
This chip represents a monumental leap forward: it can solve problems in just five minutes that would take conventional supercomputers 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 years to complete. To put it another way, quantum computing is now entering a realm most of us can barely wrap our heads around. But the real story—at least for me—isn’t just the science behind the breakthrough. It’s the culture that made it possible. And that’s where art, collaboration, and creative leadership come in.
Building a culture of innovation
A few years ago, Erik and Forest launched an Artist in Residence program at the lab. This program was founded on a simple but profound idea: science and art are two sides of the same coin. By intertwining the two, they’re not only creating cutting-edge technology but also building a creative culture that inspires breakthroughs.
Erik is a rare kind of visionary. He’s brilliant and an excellent scientist, yes—but he’s also deeply connected to creativity, art and champion of the creative process. He sees the beauty in quantum mechanics, often describing it as “the language of nature.” And he’s someone who values art not as a decorative afterthought but as an integral part of innovation.
Forest, on the other hand, is one of the most dynamic, creative individuals I’ve ever met. His work is bold, colorful, and unapologetically curious. When he partnered with Erik a few years ago to launch the Artist in Residence program at the lab, it was clear they were onto something extraordinary. Together, they’ve created a space where science and art collide in ways that inspire not only the people who work there but also anyone lucky enough to visit. Their work represents some of the most profound ideas of The Artian ideas and this publication.
Lab like no others
Let me paint you a picture of the Google Quantum lab (and don’t miss the video so you can see it for yourself). It’s not what you’d expect from a high-tech research facility. Most labs are gray, sterile, and utilitarian—functional but uninspiring. This lab, though? It’s alive. It feels more like stepping into an art gallery nestled in a nature sanctuary than a workplace.
The walls are covered with stunning murals inspired by the natural world—deserts, fields, and landscapes that evoke curiosity and wonder. There’s even stained-glass-style artwork symbolizing quantum superposition, casting colorful light that feels almost spiritual, like being in a modern chapel. And then there are the quantum machines themselves, wrapped in vibrant, custom artwork created by Forest and other artists. These machines-masterpieces tell the story of the technology, the human effort behind it, and its immense potential.
This space didn’t come together by accident. Erik and Forest designed it with intention, blending art and science to foster creativity and connection. For Erik, quantum mechanics isn’t just about solving technical challenges—it’s about connecting with the beauty and complexity of nature. Every detail of the lab serves as a reminder that their work is part of something much bigger, inspiring the team to push boundaries and think differently.
Art as Recognition and Inspiration
One of the most powerful aspects of the lab is how it celebrates the people who work there. Forest often says he “make art with people and not just at people.” That collaborative spirit is at the heart of the Artist in Residence program. It’s not just about adding art to the lab—it’s about creating something meaningful with the scientists, recognizing their hard work, and giving them something they can truly take pride in.
Erik understands the importance of translating the complexity of quantum computing into something accessible and human for the teams’ families, visitors, and anyone stepping into the lab. That’s where Forest’s work truly shines. By creating art in collaboration with the scientists and displaying it throughout the offices and welcome spaces, their achievements are celebrated in a way that’s deeply personal and visible to all who visit.
Imagine working on one of the most advanced computers in the world and seeing not just the machine but also your contributions honored through vibrant, collaborative art. That kind of recognition isn’t just meaningful—it’s deeply motivating. It’s a way of saying, “Your work matters. You matter. What you’re building is extraordinary.”
Building a Workplace Environment People Love
The Google Quantum lab is a space intentionally designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and personal connection. Murals like the stained-glass-inspired piece representing quantum superposition create an atmosphere where beauty and functionality blend seamlessly. What is the result of investing in the lab and the people working in it? It has become one of the most popular physical spaces at Google, and it has some of the highest in-person attendance rates across the company. Why? While the amenities are similar to those at other Google campuses, it’s the intentionality behind the lab’s design that sets it apart. This space inspires pride, connection, and excitement, making people want to show up every day.
In a world where hybrid work has become the norm, the Quantum team continues to gravitate to this lab in person. The lab reminds scientists that they’re part of something extraordinary. It’s a place where their environment reflects the magnitude of their mission, fueling their motivation and creativity in one of the most technical fields imaginable.
The Takeaway: Art as a Driver of Innovation
One of the things I loved most about this conversation was how seamlessly it connected to the broader themes of the Culture XChange series. Jenny and Sameer have dedicated their careers to understanding and advancing workplace culture, and the work of Erik and Forest is a living, breathing example of how art can transform a workplace into a more engaging, exciting, and innovative environment. It’s proof that creativity drives innovation and that building a culture that inspires people can lead to breakthroughs that change the world.
The Willow chip is a stunning testament to what’s possible when technical rigor and creative exploration work hand in hand. Erik and Forest’s partnership shows us that art isn’t just “decoration” or an afterthought—it’s a powerful tool for solving complex problems, fostering community, and pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve.
Driving back to LA on the Pacific Coast Highway after recording this episode, I couldn’t stop thinking about how much I admire Erik and Forest—not just for their individual talents, but for the way they bring their worlds together and create something so much greater than the sum of its parts. Erik is a scientist at the forefront of his field, but he’s never lost sight of the importance of art and creativity. Forest is an artist whose work speaks volumes, but he’s also someone who deeply understands collaboration and the power of amplifying others’ voices. Together, they’ve built something truly remarkable: a culture where art and science are inextricably linked and where creativity is celebrated as a vital part of innovation.
What makes this all the more special for me is that I get to call them friends. I feel so fortunate to be invited into these conversations—not just to witness the incredible work they’re doing, but to think with them about how we can take these ideas even further. Erik and Forest have a unique ability to bring people together and expand the possibilities of what collaboration across disciplines can achieve, and for that, I’m endlessly grateful.
The virtual meeting was published as a podcast, which is your chance to hear from them directly: to learn how they think, how they work, and how they’ve built a space that’s as groundbreaking as it is inspiring. Whether you’re in tech, art, business, or leadership, you’ll walk away with ideas that you can apply to your own work—and perhaps even your own life.
So, here’s my invitation: go listen to the episode. It will challenge you to think differently about what’s possible when we blur the boundaries between disciplines and embrace the power of creativity.
Special thanks to the incredible team at Berkeley Haas—Sameer, Jennifer, Martha, and Laura—for bringing us together and giving us the platform to share this conversation.
Quantum computing may be leading us into the future, but it’s creativity—and the culture we build around it—that will determine how far we can go. Whether you’re designing a revolutionary chip or reimagining your workplace, one thing is clear: breakthroughs happen when we dare to think differently.
Listen to the podcast. I’d love to hear what inspires you.
Last Thoughts:
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Technology puts it away and art brings it back 👏👏👏