Drama over quantum computing’s future heats up

The Verge - Mar 21st, 2025
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On March 18th, Microsoft’s quantum team, led by physicist Chetan Nayak, presented new data at the American Physical Society’s Global Physics Summit in Anaheim, California. This presentation aimed to address skepticism surrounding Microsoft's February claim of developing a topological qubit, a new type of quantum hardware. Microsoft asserts that this qubit is less prone to errors, potentially making quantum computers more scalable and practical. However, the accompanying journal article expressed doubt, stating Microsoft had not conclusively demonstrated the effectiveness of their qubit. Despite these claims, physicist Sergey Frolov criticized the new data as 'just noise,' while Nayak acknowledged the challenges posed by electrical noise but remained confident in the device's potential.

The broader quantum computing industry faces both significant anticipation and skepticism. While proponents believe quantum computers could revolutionize fields like materials science, encryption, and finance, there remains uncertainty about the timeline for practical applications. Recent efforts by companies like Google, Amazon, and various startups have shown incremental advancements. However, experts like Andrea Morello suggest that quantum computing won't achieve practical utility for at least another decade. The industry is wary of a potential 'quantum winter,' where overhype leads to unmet expectations and withdrawal of investor support, reminiscent of the AI field's historical 'AI winters.' This ongoing debate highlights the challenges and the critical need for continued investment and tempered expectations in quantum computing's development journey.

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RATING

5.6
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The story provides an insightful overview of the current state of quantum computing, focusing on Microsoft's recent claims and the industry's challenges. It effectively highlights the skepticism and debate surrounding the technology, offering a balanced view by including perspectives from various experts. However, the article's accuracy is somewhat compromised by vague references and incomplete information, which could be improved with more precise data and citations.

While the topic is timely and of significant public interest, the article's technical language and structure may limit its accessibility and engagement with a broader audience. Enhancing clarity and readability by simplifying complex concepts and ensuring a logical flow of information would make the content more approachable. Additionally, exploring the broader societal implications of quantum computing advancements could increase the story's impact and public interest.

Overall, the article succeeds in presenting a nuanced view of the quantum computing industry but could benefit from greater transparency, source quality, and readability to fully realize its potential as an informative and engaging piece.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims about Microsoft's development of topological qubits, the state of quantum computing, and industry expectations. While it accurately describes the skepticism surrounding Microsoft's claims and the potential applications of quantum computing, some assertions lack precise evidence or context. For example, the claim that Microsoft's qubits are less prone to errors is not fully substantiated with specific data or peer-reviewed studies. Furthermore, the narrative about the industry's hype versus reality is broadly accurate but could benefit from more specific examples or data points to support its claims. The article's accuracy is somewhat hindered by vague references and missing key details, such as the name of the journal that questioned Microsoft's results.

7
Balance

The article presents a balanced view by including multiple perspectives on the current state of quantum computing. It provides insights from various stakeholders, such as Microsoft representatives, independent physicists, and industry observers. This diversity of viewpoints helps mitigate potential bias, offering readers a more comprehensive understanding of the debate. However, the story leans slightly towards skepticism, with more emphasis on the doubts and challenges faced by the quantum computing industry. While this angle is valid given the context, it might overshadow the positive developments and potential breakthroughs being made. A more balanced presentation of both the challenges and advancements could enhance the article's fairness.

6
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, making it accessible to readers with a basic understanding of quantum computing. However, some sections are convoluted due to missing words or incomplete sentences, which can confuse readers. For example, the section discussing Microsoft's journal article is unclear because of missing information. The story could benefit from a more straightforward narrative flow and a clearer presentation of technical concepts to improve comprehension. Overall, while the article communicates its main points effectively, refining its structure and ensuring complete sentences would enhance its clarity.

5
Source quality

The article relies on a mix of sources, including direct quotes from physicists and industry experts, which adds credibility. However, it lacks specific attributions for some claims, such as the skepticism around Microsoft's data and the potential applications of quantum computing. The absence of direct citations or references to peer-reviewed research undermines the reliability of the information presented. While the inclusion of expert opinions is valuable, the story would benefit from a broader range of sources, including academic studies or industry reports, to bolster its authority and reduce potential conflicts of interest.

4
Transparency

The article provides limited transparency regarding the basis of its claims and the sources of its information. While it includes quotes from experts, it does not clearly outline the methodology or evidence supporting the key claims, such as the performance of Microsoft's qubits or the timeline for commercial quantum computing. Additionally, the article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases that might influence the reporting. Greater transparency in explaining the origins of information and the context in which it was gathered would enhance the article's credibility and allow readers to better assess the validity of its claims.

Sources

  1. https://quantum.microsoft.com/en-us/insights/education/concepts/topological-qubits
  2. https://www.technologyreview.com/2022/03/28/1048355/quantum-computing-has-a-hype-problem/
  3. https://news.microsoft.com/source/features/innovation/microsofts-majorana-1-chip-carves-new-path-for-quantum-computing/
  4. https://thequantuminsider.com/2023/04/06/future-of-quantum-computing/
  5. https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/quantum/2025/02/19/microsoft-unveils-majorana-1-the-worlds-first-quantum-processor-powered-by-topological-qubits/