Amazon’s Skepticism Over Microsoft’s Quantum Leap
Amazon executives are not holding back their doubts about Microsoft’s recent claims of a quantum computing breakthrough. In private discussions, they’ve labeled Microsoft’s announcements as nothing more than ‘BS and hype’. This skepticism comes at a time when the race for quantum supremacy among tech giants is heating up.
The Quantum Breakthrough in Question
On February 19, Microsoft unveiled a new quantum processor named Majorana 1. The company boasted that this chip uses a novel architecture that could revolutionize quantum computing by storing more data and performing complex calculations. However, Amazon’s head of quantum technologies, Simone Severini, was quick to challenge these claims. In an email to CEO Andy Jassy, Severini argued that the scientific paper released by Microsoft in Nature did not substantiate the claimed achievement. He pointed out that the paper only suggested potential future experiments.
Amazon’s Internal Reactions
Internally, Amazon’s frustration with Microsoft’s claims was palpable. Oskar Painter, head of quantum hardware at Amazon, expressed the need to counter what he called “BS statements” from Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella. Painter, who also teaches at Caltech, praised the efforts of Google and IBM in quantum computing, contrasting them with Microsoft’s ‘next level (in BS and hype)’ approach.
Amazon employees also chimed in with humor, joking about the grandiose statements made by tech companies to promote their quantum efforts. One employee remarked, “Seems as if Google, IBM, and Microsoft’s marketing teams are making faster progress than their hardware R&D teams.”
Expert Opinions and Industry Perspectives
Industry experts have echoed Amazon’s skepticism. Arka Majumdar, a computer engineering professor at the University of Washington, described Microsoft’s achievements as “insignificant” compared to what’s needed for a practical quantum computer. Scott Aaronson, a renowned quantum computing researcher, noted that Microsoft’s claim of creating a topological qubit has not yet been accepted by peer review.
Microsoft’s spokesperson responded to the criticism, emphasizing the company’s commitment to open publication and scientific discourse. They also mentioned plans to share additional data in the coming weeks and months, asserting that utility-scale quantum computers are just years away.
Differing Timelines and Industry Outlook
Amazon and Microsoft have contrasting views on the timeline for practical quantum computing. While Microsoft believes it’s just years away, Amazon anticipates a longer wait of 10-20 years before mainstream adoption. Chris Ballance, CEO of the quantum computing startup Oxford Ionics, noted that recent quantum news, despite its vagueness, is a positive sign for the industry’s early stages.
Conclusion and Broader Implications
The ongoing rivalry between Amazon and Microsoft in the quantum computing space highlights the challenges and hype surrounding this cutting-edge technology. As both companies continue to push the boundaries, the industry watches closely to see which will lead the quantum revolution.
This story, sourced from www.businessinsider.com, sheds light on the intense competition and skepticism that characterizes the race for quantum supremacy. For more insights into the latest in technology, including related developments like quantum teleportation in computing, stay tuned and join the conversation.
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