Microsoft has just unveiled its first-ever quantum computing chip, Majorana 1, marking a milestone after nearly two decades of research in the field. Unlike conventional quantum processors, Majorana 1 is built on a foundation of entirely new physics—what Microsoft describes as a "topological state" of matter.
A New Phase of Matter for Quantum Computing
At the core of Microsoft’s breakthrough is the use of eight topological qubits, leveraging indium arsenide (a semiconductor) and aluminum (a superconductor). This approach diverges from other quantum computing architectures by fundamentally rethinking how qubits maintain coherence and reduce error rates.
“The difficulty of developing the right materials to create the exotic particles and their associated topological state of matter is why most quantum efforts have focused on other kinds of qubits,” Microsoft wrote in a blog post on Wednesday.
By spraying atoms in perfect alignment, Microsoft has managed to create a stable quantum system, a process that highlights both the challenge and the necessity of quantum computing.
“Ironically, it’s also why we need a quantum computer—because understanding these materials is incredibly hard,” said Krysta Svore, a Microsoft technical fellow. “With a scaled quantum computer, we will be able to predict materials with even better properties for building the next generation of quantum computers beyond scale.”
A paper in the journal Nature details the technological advances behind Majorana 1, emphasizing its implications for fault-tolerant quantum computing.
Racing Toward Quantum Supremacy
Microsoft joins a fierce quantum computing race alongside tech heavyweights Google and IBM, as well as startups like IonQ and Rigetti Computing. Unlike its artificial intelligence chip, Maia 100, which Microsoft will soon offer via its Azure cloud, Majorana 1 won’t be immediately available to clients. Instead, it represents an early step toward Microsoft’s ambitious vision: a quantum processor with a million qubits.
The company has opted to manufacture Majorana 1 in-house, rather than relying on Taiwan Semiconductor or other third-party fabricators. According to Jason Zander, an executive vice president at Microsoft, the focus remains on proving quantum reliability before commercialization.
“We want to get to a few hundred qubits before we start talking about commercial reliability,” Zander told CNBC.
For now, Microsoft will collaborate with national laboratories and universities to advance quantum research. Yet, the rapid pace of progress signals that the age of viable quantum computing is approaching faster than many anticipated.
The Quantum Threat & Cybersecurity Implications
Dr. Marc Manzano, general manager for cybersecurity at SandboxAQ—a company spun out from Alphabet—stressed the significance of Microsoft’s development.
“Microsoft’s topological qubit breakthrough is both exciting and a stark warning: the quantum era is accelerating. Fault-tolerant quantum computing is no longer a distant prospect—it underscores the urgent need for quantum-safe cryptography.”
Quantum computers have the potential to crack traditional encryption methods, posing significant risks to data security. As Manzano warns, “As we approach the ‘quantum cliff,’ organizations must identify and secure cryptographic assets before scalable quantum machines break today’s encryption. The window for migration is shrinking, and a reactive approach is not an option. Microsoft’s progress is a clear signal: the time to act is now.”
Quantum’s Future: More Than Just a Standalone Technology
Despite skepticism over how soon quantum computing will be practical at scale, Microsoft believes we’re much closer than decades away.
“There’s a lot of speculation that we’re decades off from this,” Zander said. “We believe it’s more like years.”
Rather than being an isolated category of computing, quantum advancements could have major ripple effects—particularly in AI. Microsoft’s AI division is already generating over $13 billion in annual revenue, and quantum computing could supercharge AI development.
“Now you can ask it to invent some new molecule, invent some new drug, something that really would have been impossible to do before,” Zander explained.
While commercialization remains years away, Microsoft’s Majorana 1 marks a major inflection point in quantum computing. As research accelerates, so does the urgency for businesses and governments to prepare for the seismic shifts quantum breakthroughs will bring.