Amazon Calls Out Microsoft’s Quantum Computing Hype | Image Source: thedispatch.com
SEATRE, Washington, March 7, 2025 – A lively debate broke out in the technological world about Microsoft’s recent advance on quantum computers, with Amazon leaders openly challenging the legitimacy of requests. Microsoft revealed its new quantum processor, Majorana 1, on February 19, saying its topological Qubit architecture would bring quantum computing closer to real applications. However, industry experts and rival leaders, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), expressed skepticism, arguing that Microsoft’s announcement could be more marketing than real scientific progress.
Amazon leaders return to Microsoft’s claims
Shortly after Microsoft’s announcement, Simone Severini, Amazon’s Quantum Technology Manager, email CEO Andy Jassy and several AWS senior executives, questioned the significance of progress. According to Business Insider, Severini noted that Microsoft’s research paper published in Nature did not fully support the claims of a functional quantum processor. Instead, the document simply suggested that the new chip could allow future experiments.
Severini also criticized Microsoft’s history in quantum research, referring to past incidents where the company had to retract scientific documents due to errors or false statements. In his e-mail, he pointed out that while Microsoft’s work was a significant technical progress, it was not the quantum leap that the media depicted. He also asked whether Microsoft’s approach to topological quotients would provide real performance benefits in the foreseeable future.
‘Next Level (in BS and Hype) ‘- Amazonian Criticism
Amazon leaders did not stop at internal e-mails. In Slack’s internal messages seen by Business Insider, Oskar Painter, Amazon’s quantum equipment manager and Caltech professor, was not retained. He described Microsoft’s claims as “equal level (in BS and Hype),” adding that he had more confidence in IBM and Google’s quantum computing efforts than in Microsoft’s approach.
Other Amazon employees joined the conversation, mocking receiving messages from friends asking if Microsoft’s announcement would “change the world”. One employee noted that marketing teams in Google, IBM and Microsoft seemed to advance their stories faster than their actual quantum hardware. The scepticism of Amazon’s quantum division reflects a broader concern in the technology industry: Does Microsoft overcome its progress?
Quantum calculation: One advance or just another Hiccup cycle?
Quantum computing has been the subject of intensive research and investment for years, with companies like Google, IBM and Amazon living to develop a practical quantum machine. The aim is to build a computer capable of solving complex problems, such as simulating molecules for the discovery of drugs or optimizing supply chains, at speeds that conventional computers simply cannot match.
Microsoft’s approach is based on topological elbows, a theoretical advance that promises greater stability and scalability than other elbow designs. However, the viability of topological quotients remains uncertain. Arka Majumdar, professor of computer engineering at the University of Washington, told Business Insider that Microsoft’s work was “impressive” but still “unsignifiable” compared to the enormous technological obstacles left behind.
Scott Aaronson, a leading researcher in quantum computing at the University of Texas in Austin, also questioned Microsoft’s allegations. He noted that the company’s assertion of having built a topological qubit had not yet passed a rigorous peer review, stating that the results had not conclusively demonstrated the presence of zero Majorana mode, a crucial component of the Microsoft architecture.
Microsoft Answer: Defend Search
In response to skepticism, Microsoft defended its research, stating that Nature was published after a full year of review and that the company had made significant progress since its presentation. A Microsoft spokesperson told Business Insider that the company would publish additional data in the coming months to continue to base its claims.
“Speech and skepticism are part of the scientific process. This is why we are dedicated to the continuous open publication of our research, so that everyone can build on what others have discovered and learned
Microsoft also continues to harass the schedule for practical quantum computing, predicting that “useful quantum computers” will be available in years, not decades. Amazon, on the other hand, maintains a more conservative perspective, considering that it will take 10 to 20 years before quantum computers are commercially viable.
The biggest image: Giant Tech and quantum racing
Beyond Amazon and Microsoft, other major players are also making progress in quantum computing. Google recently announced its quantum chip Willow, while Amazon introduced Ocelot. Chinese researchers have also made headlines with Zuchongzhi 3.0, a 105-cubit processor that competes with Google’s advances.
However, increased competition raises concerns as to whether these companies are advancing or simply participating in an arms race in public relations. Chris Ballance, CEO of Oxford Ionics, told Business Insider that although the recent wave of quantum announcements is a positive sign, many of the demands are not yet demonstrated. “The industry is in its early stages, and there is a lot of work to be done before quantum computing reaches its full potential,” he said.
Despite skepticism, experts agree that quantum computing can revolutionize many industries. The real question is which company will first overcome technical challenges and provide a convenient and scalable quantum computer.
For now, Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and others will continue to move forward, make bold statements and invite the review of competitors and researchers. If Microsoft’s topbits will live on the remains of hyssop.
