Quantum Leap: Technology Returns to the Spotlight

Amazon has unveiled its first chip for quantum computing. Its design will enable the company to create highly efficient hardware systems, reports CNBC.

The processor, named Ocelot, features nine qubits. In comparison, Google’s largest solution to date, Willow, boasts 105. A benchmark of one million qubits is considered ideal, allowing the technology to function even with some issues. 

In February, Microsoft announced its first quantum computing chip, Majorana 1. The corporation has “created an entirely new state of matter” — topological. The device contains 8 qubits, with plans to increase this to several hundred.

Scaling Ocelot to a full-fledged quantum computer capable of radically transforming society will require less than one-tenth of the total resources, noted Amazon Web Services director Fernando Brandao and head of cloud computing for quantum hardware Oscar Painter.

Like Microsoft, Amazon developed its quantum chip independently. Painter noted that commercial workloads will not be executed on the new type of computers for at least 10 years. 

The quantum computing sector is steadily advancing and causing concern among crypto enthusiasts. In November 2024, Google experts unveiled a technology that, with the application of artificial intelligence, can make quantum computing practical in real life.

In the presented work, Deepmind researchers explained that their new AI system, AlphaQubit, was successful in correcting persistent errors that have long plagued quantum computers.   

Previously, Chinese scientists conducted the “world’s first effective attack” on a widely used encryption algorithm using a new type of computation. Meanwhile, renowned cypherpunk and cryptographer Adam Back stated that advancements in this field are more likely to strengthen Bitcoin rather than destroy it.

$170 Million for Quantum Machines 

Israeli quantum computing startup Quantum Machines has raised $170 million in a Series C round. The company’s total funding has reached $280 million, writes WSJ. 

The publication noted the increased interest in the technology following the achievements of Google and Microsoft. 

“Investors understand that, ultimately, if you can bring a new computing paradigm, it is probably the biggest potential you can think of. Over the past hundred years, nothing has driven the industry and economy like computing,” commented Quantum Machines co-founder and CEO Itamar Sivan.

The round was led by PSG Equity with participation from Intel Capital, Red Dot Capital Partners, and other investors. The funds will be used to continue developing technology to support more powerful quantum computers and expand the team.

Intel Capital’s investment director Kike Miralles noted that debates around quantum technologies have shifted from “if” to “when.”

Alexa+ from Amazon

In addition to the quantum computer, Amazon also introduced Alexa+ — “the company’s smartest, most conversational, and personalized AI assistant to date.”

The latest evolution of generative AI is here. Meet Alexa+, our smartest, most conversational, and personalized AI assistant to date.

Alexa+ is designed to leverage state-of-the-art architecture that connects LLMs, agentic capabilities, third-party services, and more to your… pic.twitter.com/yJ9IoPeVj0

— Amazon (@amazon) February 26, 2025

Alexa+ uses a modern architecture that allows connection to LLM devices, offers agentic capabilities, third-party services, and much more.

The assistant can answer various questions such as the number of books read, notify about new concert tickets, and assist in booking a dinner table. 

“The new Alexa knows practically everything about your life — schedule, preferences, devices you use, people, and entertainment,” noted Amazon’s head of devices and services Panos Panay.

The assistant is equipped with cameras for visual information perception and can understand tone and surroundings. 

Alexa is integrated with the smart home ecosystem. For instance, the assistant can play music from Amazon Music on supported devices or switch a movie to a specific scene. 

Back in December 2024, Amazon showcased a new generation of neural networks and announced collaborations with Anthropic and Apple.