Microsoft releases Majorana 2 quantum chip, boasting 1000x improved reliability.

CoinFeed reported on June 3rd that, according to Decrypt, Microsoft unveiled its new topological quantum chip, Majorana 2, at its annual Build conference, claiming it is 1000 times more reliable than its predecessor, with an average qubit lifetime of 20 seconds, and some reaching one minute. This chip replaces the aluminum-based topological superconductor with a lead-based design to better protect the qubits from interference. Microsoft expects to achieve scalable quantum computing by 2029. Microsoft stated that its AI tools played a crucial role in this development, helping researchers analyze quantum research data, identify materials, automate measurements, optimize manufacturing processes, and detect defects, thereby improving the reliability of the qubits. This announcement has exacerbated industry concerns about "Q-Day"—when quantum computers will be powerful enough to crack widely used public-key cryptography technologies such as Bitcoin.