Amazon releases the first chip for quantum computing
On Thursday, Amazon.com’s cloud-computing division introduced its inaugural quantum computing chip, asserting that this development represents a significant advancement towards the creation of practical and dependable quantum computers. The Ocelot chip is reported to reduce the costs associated with mitigating quantum computing errors by as much as 90%, according to the Seattle-based technology firm.
The competition to develop a viable quantum computer is intensifying among startups and major technology firms globally. The announcement from Amazon Web Services follows closely on the heels of Microsoft’s assertion of a quantum computing breakthrough, marked by the creation of a new state of matter. In December, Google announced the development of a new chip named Willow, which it claims represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenges of error correction in quantum computing. Oskar Painter, the head of quantum hardware for AWS, clarified that Amazon’s Ocelot chip is merely a prototype and does not represent a “full-blown quantum system.” “The objective is to evaluate our capacity for quantum error correction, and once this foundational element is established, we can expand it to a significantly larger scale.”
One of the foremost challenges facing quantum computing is the propensity for qubits, the fundamental units of quantum computation, to produce errors while addressing problems, a phenomenon that exacerbates as quantum systems scale in size. Qubits exhibit a notable fragility, rendering them vulnerable to “noise”—minor environmental disturbances such as heat and vibrations—that can disrupt their quantum state. Quantum error correction serves to address the challenges posed by that noise. Quantum computers process information in a fundamentally distinct manner compared to conventional computers, enabling them to perform specific calculations at speeds that are orders of magnitude swifter. They hold potential applications in fields such as drug discovery, data encryption, and cybersecurity.
Despite the efforts of certain companies to develop practical quantum computers over the past several decades, experts like Painter suggest that the technology remains at least ten years from being commercially viable. Various firms and sector specialists assert that it is merely a few years off. Amazon, Microsoft, and Google are all engaged in addressing the complexities of quantum error correction. Notably, Google’s advancements in superconducting quantum circuits bear the closest resemblance to Amazon’s efforts, as noted by Painter. On Wednesday, the findings of Amazon’s endeavors were disseminated in Nature, a prominent scientific journal.
Amazon initiated its pursuit of quantum computing approximately five years ago by establishing a quantum laboratory at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California. The decision was intentionally crafted to navigate the intersection of academia and industry, Painter remarked. Since the establishment of the lab, the team, which also operates in San Francisco, Boston, and New York, has expanded to more than a hundred members, he noted.
According to Paul Smith-Goodson, a quantum computing analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, Amazon has developed an innovative strategy for quantum error correction. Despite its later entry into the quantum race, it has the potential to close the gap with competitors if its methodology is validated, he stated. Nonetheless, a significant degree of skepticism ought to be directed towards any advancements in quantum technology, remarked Heather West, an analyst specializing in quantum computing at the research firm International Data Corp.
“I would classify this as significantly more of an advancement rather than a breakthrough,” West remarked, in reference to Amazon’s Ocelot chip. According to West, the company’s strategy is not entirely groundbreaking, as previous efforts have already showcased the efficacy of superconducting qubits engineered to exhibit greater resilience against specific error types. “At this juncture, there is no established solution for mitigating errors in quantum systems,” she remarked.
The introduction of its inaugural quantum chip by Amazon represents a strategic initiative aimed at encouraging businesses to embrace quantum computing. In the previous year, the firm introduced a quantum-computing advisory initiative designed to equip clients for the societal transition towards this emerging technology. In 2019, the company unveiled a cloud-based service named Amazon Braket, enabling businesses to develop and test quantum algorithms through simulations.
According to Painter, Amazon’s forthcoming quantum update is expected to be several years off as the company continues to enhance the capabilities of Ocelot. “We are approaching a critical juncture at which these innovations are poised to transition into tangible technologies,” he remarked.
