What is Quantum Computing, why it is hard, and how might it impact on AI and deliver this potential AI dividend? With breakthroughs in material science driving new modes of computing capability, how does it all tie together?
In this blog we will look at the subject of Quantum Computing and consider how it might impact on the field of AI and AGI systems.
The expectation is that the use of stable and reliable quantum computers could deliver an AI dividend. It's important to understand what Quantum Computing is, why it is hard, and how it may impact on AI.
Let us start if by stating what we mean here about Quantum Computing; after all it isn’t that long ago that such as term would be something that was only mentioned in science fiction (on the Orville they have a Quantum Drive that powers their spaceship!)
Quantum Computing is a multidisciplinary field that combines aspects of Computer Science, Physics and Mathematics and relies heavily on R&D into esoteric new materials. It exploits quantum mechanics to carry out operations or calculations. They are designed to operate at significantly faster speeds than the majority of mainstream computer science technologies.
Within Quantum Computing the basic unit of information is the qubit (or quantum bit). Although at one level it performs the same sort of function as a traditional bit, unlike a bit (which can only be in one of two states) a qubit can exist in a superposition of its two “basis” states – this can be viewed as being a state between the two basis states. A quantum computer program uses the qubits as the building blocks to create systems that can solve problems or perform calculations very, very quickly.
So, if Quantum Computers are so fast, why aren’t they already in widespread use?
The main issue is that they are hugely complex and still the subject of extensive academic and commercial research. They have some specific technological requirements such as extremely low temperatures. In addition, maintaining stable qubits so that they operate reliably has proven difficult to scale. Finally, knowledge and experience of how to program such computers is still somewhat in its infancy.
So what has changed to bring Quantum Computing out of the realms of Science Fiction - and why are we talking about it?
Well because in February 2025 Microsoft announced its first quantum chip, the Majorana 1. This quantum chip aims to revolutionise the use of Quantum Computing by making it scalable and reliable.
The chip is powered by a new Topological Core architecture that Microsoft hopes will create quantum computers capable of solving real world problems and building real world applications in years rather than decades.
This Topological Core architecture exists thanks to a new type of material - topoconductors - that can ‘observe and control Majorana particles’ (aka Majorana fermions) - the theorised nearly 90 years ago by Italian physicist Ettore Majorana.
Microsoft claim that in the same way that “the invention of semiconductors made today’s smartphones, computers and electronics possible, topoconductors and the new type of chip they enable offer a path to developing quantum systems that can scale to a million qubits."
Microsoft go on to say “This breakthrough required developing an entirely new materials stack made of indium arsenide and aluminium, much of which Microsoft designed and fabricated atom by atom.”
This is the holy grail of Quantum Computing, which has historically required the very difficult and eye-wateringly expensive fine tuning using analogue controls, which to date hasn't been practical for the kind of large commercial application that would require trillions of operations on millions of qubits.
However, the Majorana 1 chip allows qubits to be controlled digitally, which vastly simplifies how the chips operate, and thus how computer systems built from these chips work. While still early days, this could result in super computers being built using evolutions of this approach in the near future.
Right at the start of this blog we said that the use of stable and reliable quantum computers could deliver an AI dividend, so what could that look like?
Many of the AI systems being built today require huge processing power in order to deliver their potential. At the core of these systems are processing units sometimes referred to as AI Chips. The term AI Chip refers to a fairly broad classification of processing units from graphics processing units (GPUs), Neural Processing Units (NPUs), to field-programming gate arrays (FPGAs) as well as Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). Some of the recent discussion around the Chinese Generative AI system DeepSeek versus other (mostly American) systems such as ChatGPT was based on how many AI Chips were required to develop these systems (and there's plenty of speculation around this).
Given the current focus on AI for Large Language Models (LLMs) that power platforms such as ChatGPT, Autonomous Vehicles, Robotics and "AI in your hand" (e.g. smartphones, even watches); this trend is only likely to increase, and it may be that Quantum Computing is integral to the next advancements in scale.
Quantum Computing is not about creating new forms of AI Chips per se or indeed hardware to run AI systems (unlike attempts back in the 80s to create machines capable of runnable the AI languages in use then such as the Symbolics LISP machine). However, the very fact that Quantum Computing allows extremely fast processing may open up new approaches, new techniques and drive innovation in the AI and machine learning fields.
In fact, this concept of Quantum Computing and AI combined has its own term: Quantum AI. Those in the field hope that Quantum AI will revolutionise industries such as finance, cybersecurity and healthcare. Even now, delivery companies such as FedEx and DHL are using ML based quantum computing to find the most efficient routes to meet a given set of constraints.
Some researchers in the field have raised questions about Microsoft’s claims for its Majorana chip stating that the results presented by Microsoft may be misleading or don't support their claims. Of course, this is a new chip, and it is early days in its development, but there will be a lot of people watching how well Microsoft is able to realise the commercial potential of their chip.
Quantum Computing and in turn Quantum AI, has the potential to revolutionise the fields of AI and Machine Learning. Watch this space and see the future arrive!
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