Microsoft debuts quantum computing chip Majorana 1 and game-like generative AI tool Muse

Microsoft corporationThe company recently officially released its first self-developedquantum computingchip, Majorana 1, and Muse, a generative AI tool designed for video game scenario creation.

Majorana 1: Breakthroughs in Quantum Computing

Microsoft has announced the company's first quantum computing chip, called Majorana 1. Microsoft has spent the last 17 years creating new materials and architectures for quantum computing, and the Majorana 1 usesThe world's first topological conductorThis material is capable of observing and controlling Majorana particles, and this is Microsoft's first quantum processor based on this new architecture. Microsoft believes it has made a key breakthrough in quantum computing, unlocking the potential of quantum computers to solve industrial-scale problems.

Microsoft says its Majorana 1 chip integrates eight quantum bits (qubits), which are the basic building blocks of quantum computing, on a piece of hardware the size of a Post-it note. The chip is capable of holdingmillionError-resistant topological quantum bits, a technique that could help enable practical quantum computers, are expected to complete six key milestones by 2035. In addition, topological conductors can create a new state of matter -- the topological state. This state could produce more stable quantum bits, theFeatures fast, compact and digital control.

Analysis suggests that Microsoft's announcement shows that the company's engineers have found a way to build a system in the particles needed for quantum computing, which could be used in data centers in the future and drive advances in fields such as chemistry and medicine.Part of the research on the chip, which Microsoft calls a "topoconductor," was published Wednesday in the journal Nature.

Jason Zander, executive vice president at Microsoft, who is responsible for advancing the commercialization of quantum computing and other cutting-edge technologies, said that

"Scientists came up with this theory back in 1937, and it's taken us almost 100 years to prove it.Now we can capitalize on it. A lot of people speculate that we're decades away from true quantum computing, but we think it's more likely to be years. "

Microsoft has been researching quantum computing since 2004 and has taken a different approach than most companies, focusing on how to minimize computational errors, specifically utilizing Majorana quasiparticles, a concept first proposed by Italian physicist Majorana in the 1930s.

Microsoft argues that Majorana quantum bits are less susceptible to bit flips (i.e., unintentional conversions between 0s and 1s) than quantum bits generated by other methods, and therefore provide more stable computing power.

To isolate and control the Majorana quasiparticles, Microsoft assembled a series of indium-arsenide materials atom by atom and connected aluminum nanowires into an H-shaped structure. When the structure is cooled to near absolute zero and precisely regulated by a magnetic field, Majorana quasiparticles form at the four endpoints of the letter "H," creating a quantum bit. The quantum bit emits readable zeros and ones via microwave signals, and the structure can be deployed repeatedly on a chip, enabling large-scale integration.

The analysis suggests that quantum computing may not become a stand-alone computing area, but rather enhance other Microsoft businesses, such as artificial intelligence (AI). Microsoft's AI business has annualized revenues of more than $13 billion, Zander said, adding that quantum computers can generate data that can be used to train AI models.

Muse AI: One Screenshot Opens Up Unlimited Gameplay Ideas

In addition to the quantum chip, Microsoft on Wednesday unveiled Muse AI, which it claims will revolutionize the way video game scenes are created.

As a major technological breakthrough for Microsoft in the field of game development, Muse was developed by a team of machine learning researchers, and is unique in its ability to automate the generation of game visual content and controller movements, revolutionizing game creation.

Muse was developed thanks to a close collaboration between Microsoft's Game Intelligence and Teachable AI Experiences (Tai X) team and Xbox Game Studios' Ninja Theory.

To train this model, Microsoft used human gameplay data from the Xbox game Bleeding Edge, including visual images and joystick actions. Specifically, Muse (based on WHAM-1.6B version) was deeply trained on more than 1 billion images and corresponding joystick action data, which is equivalent to more than 7 years of continuous human gameplay, ensuring high accuracy and utility of the model.

All a developer needs to do is provide a screenshot of the game, and the model quickly generates multiple possible follow-up gameplay screens.In addition, by controlling the character through the Xbox controller, Muse also generates subsequent game content in real time that matches the developer's actions, significantly improving the efficiency and flexibility of game development.