News from the AI & ML world
DeeperML - #quantumcomputing
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Alyssa Hughes (2ADAPTIVE LLC dba 2A Consulting)@Microsoft Research
// 45d
Microsoft has announced two major advancements in both quantum computing and artificial intelligence. The company unveiled Majorana 1, a new chip containing topological qubits, representing a key milestone in its pursuit of stable, scalable quantum computers. This approach uses topological qubits, which are less susceptible to environmental noise, aiming to overcome the long-standing instability issues that have challenged the development of reliable quantum processors. The company says it is on track to build a new kind of quantum computer based on topological qubits.
Microsoft is also introducing Muse, a generative AI model designed for gameplay ideation. Described as a first-of-its-kind World and Human Action Model (WHAM), Muse can generate game visuals and controller actions. The company says it is on track to build a new kind of quantum computer based on topological qubits. Microsoft’s team is developing research insights to support creative uses of generative AI models. Recommended read:
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Andrew Liszewski@The Verge
// 38d
Amazon has announced Alexa+, a new, LLM-powered version of its popular voice assistant. This upgraded version will cost $19.99 per month, but will be included at no extra cost for Amazon Prime subscribers. Alexa+ boasts enhanced AI agent capabilities, enabling users to perform tasks like booking Ubers, creating study plans, and sending texts via voice command. These new features are intended to provide a more seamless and natural conversational experience. Early access to Alexa+ will begin in late March 2025 for customers with eligible Echo Show devices in the United States.
Amazon emphasizes that Alexa+ utilizes a "model agnostic" system, drawing on Amazon Bedrock and employing various AI models, including Amazon Nova and those from Anthropic, to optimize performance. This approach allows Alexa+ to choose the best model for each task, leveraging specialized "experts" for orchestrating services. With seamless integration into tens of thousands of devices and services, including news sources like Time, Reuters, and the Associated Press, Alexa+ provides accurate and real-time information. Recommended read:
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@sciencedaily.com
// 6d
Recent advancements in quantum computing research have yielded promising results. Researchers at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, along with collaborators from Huzhou University in China, have discovered a method to shield quantum information from environmental disruptions, potentially leading to more reliable quantum technologies. This breakthrough involves manipulating quantum wave functions to preserve quantum information, which could enhance medical imaging, improve AI diagnostics, and strengthen data security by providing ultra-secure communication.
UK startup Phasecraft has announced a new algorithm, THRIFT, that improves the ability of quantum computers to model new materials and chemicals by a factor of 10. By optimizing quantum simulation, THRIFT enables scientists to model new materials and chemicals faster and more accurately, even on today’s slower machines. Furthermore, Oxford researchers have demonstrated a 25-nanosecond controlled-Z gate with 99.8% fidelity, combining high speed and accuracy in a simplified superconducting circuit. This achievement advances fault-tolerant quantum computing by improving raw gate performance without relying heavily on error correction or added hardware. Recommended read:
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Cierra Choucair@The Quantum Insider
// 17d
NVIDIA is establishing the Accelerated Quantum Research Center (NVAQC) in Boston to integrate quantum hardware with AI supercomputers. The aim of the NVAQC is to enable accelerated quantum supercomputing, addressing quantum computing challenges such as qubit noise and error correction. Commercial and academic partners will work with NVIDIA, with collaborations involving industry leaders like Quantinuum, Quantum Machines, and QuEra, as well as researchers from Harvard's HQI and MIT's EQuS.
NVIDIA's GB200 NVL72 systems and the CUDA-Q platform will power research on quantum simulations, hybrid quantum algorithms, and AI-driven quantum applications. The center will support the broader quantum ecosystem, accelerating the transition from experimental to practical quantum computing. Despite the CEO's recent statement that practical quantum systems are likely still 20 years away, this investment shows confidence in the long-term potential of the technology. Recommended read:
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@techstrong.ai
// 32d
Microsoft has been making significant strides in the realm of artificial intelligence, with developments ranging from new Copilot features to breakthroughs in quantum computing and large language models. The company recently released a native Copilot application for macOS, bringing the AI assistant to Mac users with features similar to the Windows version, including image uploading and text generation. The macOS version includes dark mode and a shortcut command for easy activation. Microsoft also removed limits to Copilot Voice and Think Deeper, allowing Copilot users to have extended conversations with the AI assistant.
Microsoft AI has also released LongRoPE2, a near-lossless method designed to extend the context window of Large Language Models (LLMs) to 128K tokens while retaining a high degree of short-context accuracy. This addresses a key limitation in LLMs, which often struggle to process long-context sequences effectively. In the quantum computing space, Microsoft researchers announced the creation of the first “topological qubits” in a device, representing a potential leap forward in the field. Recommended read:
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@Scientific American
// 16d
D-Wave, a quantum computing firm, has asserted that its quantum computers have achieved quantum supremacy by solving a problem of scientific relevance faster than classical computers. Specifically, D-Wave Quantum Inc. claims that its annealing quantum computer outperformed the Frontier supercomputer in simulating complex magnetic materials, a feat published in the journal Science. The company stated that its system completed simulations in minutes that would take Frontier nearly a million years and consume more than the world's annual electricity consumption. The results, according to D-Wave executives, validate the practical advantage of quantum annealing and represent a significant milestone in quantum computational supremacy and materials discovery.
However, the company's claims have been met with scrutiny. Some researchers argue that classical algorithms can still rival or exceed quantum methods in certain cases. For instance, researchers at the Flatiron Institute and EPFL have suggested that classical algorithms, including belief propagation and time-dependent variational Monte Carlo methods, can match or even surpass D-Wave's results in specific scenarios. D-Wave's CEO, Alan Baratz, has responded to these criticisms, arguing that the competing studies tested only a subset of the problems addressed in D-Wave's work and that their simulations covered a broader range of lattice geometries and conditions. Recommended read:
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@www.fool.com
// 87d
Quantum computing stocks have dramatically crashed following comments from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who projected that truly useful quantum computers are still 15 to 30 years away. This statement triggered a massive sell-off, wiping out an estimated $8 billion in market value across the sector. Shares of key companies like IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and D-Wave Quantum plummeted, with drops exceeding 30% in a single day. The market reacted negatively to Huang's timeline, undermining previous optimism fueled by breakthroughs like Google's new 105-qubit 'Willow' chip, which was reported to have solved a complex calculation in five minutes, a feat that would take current supercomputers around 10 septillion years to complete.
Despite the setback, some industry leaders are pushing back against Huang's assessment. D-Wave Quantum CEO Alan Baratz dismissed Huang’s comments as “dead wrong,” highlighting that D-Wave's annealing quantum computers are already commercially viable. Baratz emphasized that their technology can solve problems in minutes that would take supercomputers millions of years, challenging Huang's view on current capabilities. He even offered to meet with Huang to discuss what he called “knowledge gaps” in the CEO's understanding of quantum technology. An X user also pointed out that Nvidia is currently hiring quantum engineers, adding further to the industry's resistance to the projected long wait for the technology. Recommended read:
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Harry Goldstein@IEEE Spectrum
// 30d
References:
The Quantum Insider
, The Quantum Insider
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The quantum computing field is experiencing a surge in activity, with several significant developments reported recently. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and IQM Quantum Computers have unveiled Europe's first 50-qubit superconducting quantum computer, accessible to researchers and companies through the VTT QX quantum computing service. This milestone strengthens Finland's position as a global leader in quantum computing, following a phased development plan that began with a 5-qubit system in 2021.
Chinese researchers have also made headlines with their Zuchongzhi 3.0, a 105-qubit superconducting quantum processor. They claim it completed a computational task in seconds that would take the world’s most powerful supercomputer an estimated 6.4 billion years to replicate. While the task was a benchmark designed to favor quantum processors, it still reinforces the potential for quantum computational advantage. Also, Mitsubishi Electric and partners are collaborating to develop scalable quantum information processing by connecting multiple quantum devices in practical environments, addressing limitations in single quantum computers. Recommended read:
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staff@insidehpc.com
// 14d
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has publicly walked back previous comments made in January, where he expressed skepticism regarding the timeline for quantum computers becoming practically useful. Huang apologized for his earlier statements, which caused a drop in stock prices for quantum computing companies. During the recent Nvidia GTC 2025 conference in San Jose, Huang admitted his misjudgment and highlighted ongoing advancements in the field, attributing his initial doubts to his background in traditional computer systems development. He expressed surprise that his comments had such a significant impact on the market, joking about the public listing of quantum computing firms.
SEEQC and Nvidia announced a significant breakthrough at the conference, demonstrating a fully digital quantum-classical interface protocol between a Quantum Processing Unit (QPU) and a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). This interface is designed to facilitate ultra-low latency and bandwidth-efficient quantum error correction. Furthermore, Nvidia is enhancing its support for quantum research with the CUDA-Q platform, designed to streamline the development of hybrid, accelerated quantum supercomputers. CUDA-Q performance can now be pushed further than ever with v0.10 support for the NVIDIA GB200 NVL72. Recommended read:
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staff@insidehpc.com
// 39d
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insidehpc.com
, OODAloop
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Quantum Machines, an Israeli quantum computing startup, has successfully raised $170 million in a Series C funding round. This latest investment brings the company's total funding to $280 million to date. The funding round was led by PSG Equity, with participation from Intel Capital, Red Dot Capital Partners, and existing investors. Quantum Machines is a provider of quantum control solutions, and its technology is increasingly relied upon by quantum computing companies to build and scale their systems.
This Series C raise is considered the fifth-largest ever for a quantum computing company, highlighting the growing excitement surrounding advancements in quantum computing. According to Quantum Machines co-founder and Chief Executive Itamar Sivan, investors recognize the potential of a new computing paradigm to drive industry and the economy. Quantum Machines plans to use the new capital to further develop its quantum computing systems and expand its market reach in a time where many companies are surpassing 1,000 qubits, and researchers are making progress in quantum error correction. Recommended read:
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Matthias Bastian@THE DECODER
// 85d
Google is launching a new experimental feature called 'Daily Listen' that uses AI to create personalized podcast-style summaries within its Discover feed. This feature curates roughly five-minute audio episodes based on a user's search history and news preferences. The system pulls together information on topics and stories the user follows, delivering it within the Google app on Android and iOS devices. Daily Listen is currently available in the US for users who have opted into Search Labs experiments, with a limited number of spots being available. The personalized podcast appears below the search bar, with a date and "Made for you" label.
Once enabled, the AI-generated episode will appear the following day in the Discover feed, providing a brief audio overview of the user’s favorite topics. The podcast includes a full-screen player with audio playback controls, a text transcript, and related stories corresponding to each section. The technology is similar to Google’s NotebookLM audio overviews, but while NotebookLM is based on a user prompt, Daily Listen examines topics and stories the user already follows, with a focus on delivering helpful, although fallible, information. Recommended read:
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Charlene Chen@digitimes.com
// 85d
References:
Pivot to AI
, Source
Nvidia is making significant strides in both gaming and artificial intelligence. At CES 2025, CEO Jensen Huang stated that "very useful" quantum computers are still about 20 years away. He also acknowledged the impressive advancements in autonomous driving technology by Chinese automakers such as BYD, Nio, Xiaomi, and XPeng. In terms of gaming, Nvidia has unveiled its new RTX 50 series GPUs including the flagship RTX 5090, which boasts AI-juiced frame rates. These new GPUs promise significant performance improvements especially when using AI-based technologies like DLSS 4 and multi-frame generation, although actual performance gains may be more modest in non-AI supported games.
Nvidia is also pushing boundaries in AI computing. The company is partnering with Microsoft to enable Windows 11 PCs to run AI models from Nvidia NIM and Azure AI Foundry using their GPUs. This allows for the running of AI models on the edge. Furthermore, Nvidia announced a $3000 personal AI supercomputer called Digits, demonstrating their intention to make AI more accessible for home users. These initiatives, along with the new GPUs, underline Nvidia’s continued commitment to pushing the limits of both AI and gaming technologies. Recommended read:
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Edd Gent@IEEE Spectrum
// 31d
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IEEE Spectrum
The future of quantum computing is trending towards modularity, as companies and researchers seek to overcome the limitations of squeezing more qubits onto a single chip. Fabrication and connectivity challenges have prompted a shift toward linking multiple quantum devices to create larger, more powerful computers capable of tackling real-world problems. The focus is on developing technologies that enable the interconnection of quantum processors, as single computers face limited processing capacity and potential service disruptions.
One approach to modular quantum computing involves quantum communication networks (QCNs), which leverage quantum mechanics to transmit quantum information. QCNs promise to link quantum computers and quantum sensors, enabling distributed quantum computing and sensing. Distributed quantum computing harnesses the capabilities of individual quantum computers distributed across different locations to collectively perform quantum computations. Mitsubishi Electric and partners have also signed a joint research agreement to develop scalable quantum information processing by connecting multiple quantum devices in practical environments. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and IQM Quantum Computers have launched Europe’s first 50-qubit superconducting quantum computer, now open to researchers and companies. QuantWare, a startup from the Netherlands, claims to have created a 3D chip architecture that offers the fastest route to a 1-million qubit quantum computer. PsiQuantum claims to have solved scalability issues that have long plagued photonic approaches. Delft-based Q*Bird and Eurofiber secure €1M grant to advance quantum-secured communication, this initiative is part of the QUEST project. QuantWare raises €20M to scale quantum processors for next-gen computing. Recommended read:
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@physics.aps.org
// 56d
References:
IEEE Spectrum
, thequantuminsider.com
Google's quantum simulator has challenged the conventional understanding of magnetism, specifically the Kibble-Zurek mechanism, which is widely used to predict the behavior of magnets during phase transitions. By employing a hybrid analog-digital approach, Google's simulator has revealed that this mechanism doesn't always hold true, suggesting that magnetism may function differently than previously thought. This discovery highlights the potential of quantum simulators to uncover new physics and challenge existing theories.
Researchers combined analog and digital quantum computing utilizing 69 superconducting qubits and a high-fidelity calibration scheme to simulate complex quantum systems. With an impressively low error rate of 0.1% per qubit, simulations at this fidelity would take over a million years on the Frontier exascale supercomputer. This breakthrough demonstrates the potential of quantum simulation to tackle problems that are currently intractable for even the most powerful classical computers, opening doors to new discoveries in materials science and other fields. Recommended read:
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@ncatlab.org
// 43d
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nLab
Microsoft has announced a significant breakthrough in quantum computing with its new Majorana 1 chip. This groundbreaking processor is built upon a novel "Topological Core" architecture and boasts a theoretical capacity of up to one million qubits. The chip leverages a new material called topoconductor, the world’s first topological conductor, which harnesses topological superconductivity to control Majorana particles. This innovative approach promises more stable and reliable qubits, the fundamental building blocks of quantum computers. Microsoft also claims the chip could potentially break down microplastics into harmless byproducts or create self-healing materials for applications in construction, manufacturing, and healthcare.
Microsoft's Majorana 1 chip represents a paradigm shift in quantum computing technology, a development with far-reaching implications for industries and cybersecurity. By using topological qubits, Majorana 1 is designed to be inherently more stable and less prone to errors than current qubit technologies. While Microsoft touts this development as progress and hopes quantum computing will be used to benefit humanity, some experts warn of its potential use as a new tool that could break existing encryption methods. Despite these potential risks, Microsoft is dedicated to developing a scalable quantum computing prototype which solidifies their role at the forefront of quantum innovation. Recommended read:
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@www.datasciencecentral.com
// 86d
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medium.com
, LearnAI
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The field of quantum computing is experiencing rapid advancements, moving from theoretical concepts to practical applications. Recent developments, like Google's Willow quantum processor, demonstrate the ability to perform calculations that would take classical computers longer than the age of the universe to complete. This progress is not without challenges, as the immense sensitivity of quantum systems to disturbances, or 'noise', requires advanced solutions like real-time error correction using size scaling stacking of qubits, which Google claims to have achieved. These breakthroughs point towards the accelerating timeline of quantum technology and its potential impact on various industries.
The advancements in quantum computing also bring significant risks to current digital security measures. Cryptographic algorithms like ECC and RSA, which are used for online transactions, communications, and data storage, become vulnerable to quantum attacks via algorithms such as Shor’s algorithm that can factor large numbers much faster than classical computers. This has led to an urgent need for quantum-resistant cryptography. Moreover, there is a concern that blockchain security will need to be re-evaluated and that the current burner addresses thought to be immune could potentially be compromised via quantum computing vulnerabilities. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has stated that "very useful" quantum computers are still approximately 20 years away, but cryptographers are racing against this timeframe to secure digital systems. Recommended read:
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Stephen Ornes@Quanta Magazine
// 10d
References:
Quanta Magazine
, medium.com
A novel quantum algorithm has demonstrated a speedup over classical computers for a significant class of optimization problems, according to a recent report. This breakthrough could represent a major advancement in harnessing the potential of quantum computers, which have long promised faster solutions to complex computational challenges. The new algorithm, known as decoded quantum interferometry (DQI), outperforms all known classical algorithms in finding good solutions to a wide range of optimization problems, which involve searching for the best possible solution from a vast number of choices.
Classical researchers have been struggling to keep up with this quantum advancement. Reports of quantum algorithms often spark excitement, partly because they can offer new perspectives on difficult problems. The DQI algorithm is considered a "breakthrough in quantum algorithms" by Gil Kalai, a mathematician at Reichman University. While quantum computers have generated considerable buzz, it has been challenging to identify specific problems where they can significantly outperform classical machines. This new algorithm demonstrates the potential for quantum computers to excel in optimization tasks, a development that could have broad implications across various fields. Recommended read:
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@thequantuminsider.com
// 38d
References:
thequantuminsider.com
, The Quantum Insider
Infleqtion has announced the successful demonstration of a 16x16 neutral atom array, the largest of its kind reported in the UK. This achievement is a key milestone in the Scalable Quantum Atomic Lattice computing tEstbed (SQALE) project. The SQALE project is focused on advancing neutral atom quantum computing by refining atomic reconfiguration, state preparation and measurement, and local and global gate operations.
This milestone supports the UK’s goal of developing a 100+ qubit quantum computing system by 2025 through scalable atom trapping and advanced gate laser systems. This accomplishment, achieved in collaboration with the NQCC’s testbeds initiative, is a crucial step toward building scalable quantum processors capable of supporting fault-tolerant quantum computing, enabling real-world applications in optimisation, materials science and AI. Infleqtion is working with partners including Riverlane, QinetiQ, and the Oxfordshire City Council to refine quantum gate fidelity, scale neutral atom architectures, and benchmark performance for real-world applications. Recommended read:
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@bhaveshshrivastav.medium.com
// 78d
References:
medium.com
, medium.com
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Quantum computing and cryptography are rapidly advancing fields, prompting both exciting new possibilities and serious security concerns. Research is focused on developing quantum-resistant cryptography, new algorithms designed to withstand attacks from both classical and quantum computers. This is because current encryption methods rely on mathematical problems that quantum computers could potentially solve exponentially faster, making sensitive data vulnerable. Quantum-resistant algorithms like CRYSTALS-Kyber and CRYSTALS-Dilithium are being actively tested in various scenarios, such as secure government communications and data centers. The race is on to secure digital information before quantum computers become powerful enough to break existing encryption.
Developments in quantum computing are also driving progress in quantum cryptography, which uses the principles of quantum mechanics to secure communication. This offers a level of security that is theoretically impossible to breach using classical methods. Simultaneously, traditional cryptographic techniques such as Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) and Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) are being combined to build secure data encryption tools, ensuring files remain protected in the digital world. Companies like Pasqal and Riverlane have partnered to accelerate the development of fault-tolerant quantum systems, which aim to overcome the reliability issues in current quantum systems and enable more reliable quantum computations. Recommended read:
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@insidehpc.com
// 77d
References:
www.fool.com
IonQ is emerging as a frontrunner in the quantum computing sector, with potential applications for machine learning and AI. Despite recent market fluctuations with a stock sell-off, the company has achieved significant milestones, including the opening of a new manufacturing plant and the delivery of its advanced Forte system. This progress comes amidst varied opinions from industry leaders, with some suggesting practical applications are still years away while others see the potential for nearer-term impact. IonQ is also collaborating with Amazon to provide cloud-based quantum computing services to further its reach and accessibility.
IonQ's position in the market is further strengthened by projections of substantial revenue growth within a quantum computing sector expected to be worth $65 billion by 2030. This optimistic outlook is contrasted by some experts, who believe fully realized quantum computers are still 15-30 years out. Despite this debate, the field continues to rapidly advance. Major players like Google and IBM are pursuing ambitious development plans and companies across the industry appear to be bracing for breakthroughs in quantum computing, highlighting its transformative potential. Recommended read:
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