Microsoft Unveils Majorana 2 Quantum Chip With AI-Accelerated Development, Raising Cryptography Concerns
By
Jason Nelson
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Summary
Microsoft unveiled Majorana 2, a new topological quantum chip at its Build conference, claiming it is 1,000 times more reliable than its predecessor with average qubit lifetimes of 20 seconds. The company revealed that AI, through its Microsoft Discovery platform and agentic AI, helped accelerate the development of Majorana 2. This advancement adds to growing concerns about when quantum computers could become powerful enough to threaten the cryptography securing Bitcoin and much of the modern internet.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledMicrosoft unveiled Majorana 2, a new topological quantum chip that it says is 1,000 times more reliable than its predecessor.
Microsoft said the chip achieves average qubit lifetimes of 20 seconds, with some lasting as long as one minute.
Microsoft said AI helped speed Majorana 2 development, adding to growing concerns about when quantum computers could threaten Bitcoin's cryptography.
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