Microsoft claims new quantum chip 1,000 times better than before - BBC

Microsoft unveiled its next-generation quantum chip, Majorana 2, claiming a 1,000-fold performance improvement over its predecessor. The upgrade leverages AI-driven design to enhance qubit stability and error correction. The company now targets a practical quantum computing system by 2029, accelerating its timeline by years. This shift reflects growing confidence in topological qubits, though commercial viability remains unproven. Critics question Microsoft’s claims, citing past failures with its original Majorana-based approach. Skeptics argue the technology still lacks peer-reviewed validation for fundamental qubit operations. The chip’s design focuses on scalability, aiming to overcome decoherence—a major hurdle in quantum computing. If successful, it could enable fault-tolerant systems sooner than expected. Industry analysts note the announcement intensifies competition with IBM, Google, and startups. Microsoft’s aggressive timeline may pressure rivals to accelerate their own quantum roadmaps.