The new Majorana 2 chip achieves 20-second qubit lifetimes, advancing scalable quantum computing and cryptography concerns.
Microsoft announced its Majorana 2 quantum chip, claiming 1,000 times greater reliability than its predecessor. The chip achieves average qubit lifetimes of 20 seconds, with some lasting up to one minute, marking a significant step toward scalable quantum computing by 2029.
The company attributed the breakthrough to AI-driven research tools, which accelerated materials discovery, fabrication optimization, and flaw detection. This follows prior efforts to improve qubit stability, a longstanding challenge in quantum computing development.
The advancement raises concerns about quantum computing’s potential to disrupt cryptographic security, including Bitcoin and other digital assets. Markets have increasingly monitored progress in quantum technology for its implications on encryption and financial systems.