Amazon executives have expressed skepticism and even frustration with Microsoft’s claims of a major quantum computing breakthrough, a report has said, adding that the leadership believe that the Windows-maker’s achievement is overhyped and lacks substantial evidence.
Citing internal emails and Slack messages, Business Insider reported that Simone Severini, Amazon’s head of quantum technologies, emailed CEO Andy Jassy, questioning the validity of Microsoft’s claims, soon after the company unveiled its new quantum processor, Majorana 1, on February 19.
What Amazon head of quantum technologies said about Microsoft’s claims
Microsoft claimed that it uses a novel architecture with the potential for significantly increased data storage and complex calculations, which Severini says that Microsoft’s scientific paper, published in Nature, “doesn’t actually demonstrate” and merely suggests the potential for future experiments.
He also highlighted Microsoft’s history of retracted papers and scientific misconduct in the quantum computing field, casting further doubt on their latest announcement.
“This seems to be a meaningful technical advancement, but it’s far different from the breakthrough being portrayed in the media coverage,” Severini wrote. He also expressed skepticism about the “topological qubits” used in Microsoft’s architecture, stating that it’s unclear whether they offer any real performance benefits.
Amazon’s head of quantum hardware calls for push back on Microsoft’s statement
The report also says that internal Slack messages reveal even stronger criticism from Amazon executives and employees.
Oskar Painter, Amazon’s head of quantum hardware who announced Amazon Web Services (AWS) significant breakthrough in quantum computing with the development of “Ocelot” quantum computing chip, called for a “push back on BS statements like S. Nadella’s,” [Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella].
Painter expressed more confidence in the quantum computing efforts of Google and IBM, while labeling Microsoft’s approach as “next level (in BS and hype)” in an internal Slack message.
Industry experts have also voiced concerns about the hype surrounding quantum computing advancements. Arka Majumdar, a computer engineering professor at the University of Washington, acknowledged Microsoft’s technical achievements but deemed them “insignificant” compared to what is needed for practical quantum computing. He criticised Microsoft’s claims as “sensational” and “overhyped.”
Scott Aaronson, a renowned quantum computing researcher, pointed out that Microsoft’s claim of creating a topological qubit has not been validated by peer review.
What Microsoft has to say on Amazon’s claims
In response to the criticism, a Microsoft spokesperson defended the company’s research and emphasised its commitment to open publication and scientific discourse.
The spokesperson said the Nature paper was published a year after its submission, and the company has made “tremendous progress” in that time and that the company plans to share additional data “in the coming weeks and months”.
“Discourse and skepticism are all part of the scientific process. That is why we are dedicated to the continued open publication of our research, so that everyone can build on what others have discovered and learned,” Microsoft’s spokesperson was quoted as saying.
