Microsoft recently announced that it has achieved its first milestone towards developing a quantum supercomputer and believes it will take less than ten years to build its own. Drawing parallels to the transformative impact of the Iron Age and the Silicon Age, Microsoft envisions quantum computing as a catalyst for significant advancements across various industries. Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize transportation by enabling the development of more efficient and powerful batteries for electric vehicles and beyond. It can also drive breakthroughs in the chemistry industry, leading to the discovery of safer compounds, and empower the pharmaceutical industry to develop more effective drugs.
Moreover, Microsoft sees quantum supercomputers, including its own, as essential tools to address society’s most pressing challenges, such as climate change and food insecurity. Krysta Svore, Microsoft’s VP of advanced quantum development, expressed confidence in their roadmap, stating that they think about the time to achieve a quantum supercomputer in terms of years, rather than decades. CEO Satya Nadella echoed this optimism, aiming to compress 250 years of progress in chemistry and materials science into the next 25 years.
Microsoft has already taken the first step in its quantum computing journey by creating quantum systems that run on noisy physical qubits, which are now available in the cloud through Azure Quantum. The company’s roadmap includes two additional steps: reliable logical qubits and engineering at scale. The next phase involves engineering hardware-protected or topological qubits, improving their quality, and developing a multi-qubit system.
Similar to their approach with AI, Microsoft emphasizes the importance of security, safety, and privacy in quantum computing. These aspects will receive equal attention as quantum computing technology progresses and poses potential threats to existing IT landscapes.
As Microsoft advances in its quantum computing endeavors, it aims to unlock new possibilities for scientific discovery, innovation, and problem-solving across various sectors. The race to develop practical quantum computers continues, with Microsoft positioning itself as a key player in this emerging field.
