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Over the past few months, quantum computing has come sharply into focus as one of the tech sector’s next frontiers. As the artificial intelligence (AI) boom has sparked a need for advanced computational power, experts have increasingly touted quantum as a potential solution.
Although the technology is still evolving and its full capabilities remain unknown, it is impossible to ignore the fact that the quantum computing revolution is approaching. The only question is when will it fully arrive, a topic on which expert opinions remain mixed.
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Nvidia (NVDA) Jensen Huang recently predicted that practical quantum computing systems are at least 15-30 years away. Experts such as D-Wave Quantum QBTS CEO Dr. Alan Baratz quickly disputed this claim, arguing that his company’s work in the quantum field renders Huang’s hypothesis incorrect.
One of the tech sector’s biggest names announced an important breakthrough in quantum computing research this week.
The world of quantum computing may be on the verge of another leap
In November 2024, quantum computing stocks surged as investor enthusiasm fueled speculation that the tech sector had found its newest growth market. Since Huang’s comments, though, this momentum has cooled off as companies adjust to more typical trading patterns.
However, investor interest in quantum computing may be about to spike again. Microsoft (MSFT) has announced that one of its research teams has created a new quantum chip that it claims can revolutionize the field by leveraging a new state of matter.
Titled the Majorana 1, this new chip is not yet available for sale, but according to the company, it can underpin the world’s most powerful quantum computing systems.
What is quantum computing? At its core, it is an advanced type of computing that performs computational tasks and solves problems significantly faster than classical systems. This is accomplished by utilizing quantum bits of information known as qubits, allowing the machine to perform at speeds that traditional computers cannot obtain.
According to Microsoft, Majorana 1 employs a “so-called topological superconductor—a material that isn’t a solid, liquid, or gas—to produce building blocks that can be scaled up into a powerful quantum computer.”
The chip is powered by the industry’s first Topological Core, which Microsoft describes as “incorporating error resistance at the hardware level, making it more stable.” In a statement released yesterday, Microsoft implied that it believes top conductors can do for quantum computing systems what the semiconductor did for smartphones and computers.