The Financial Times reports two “scientific milestones” will be announced in the “next few weeks” by Microsoft and Google, but my Google Home says not so fast.

Will Microsoft and Google be making major quantum-related announcements soon? According to the Financial Times, Microsoft and Google are prepared for big leaps in quantum computing:

Two scientific milestones are expected to be announced in the coming weeks by two of the world’s biggest technology companies that will highlight the rapid advances now being made in the field.

I have to say, I’m suspicious. Did west coast editor Richard Waters stumble onto a scoop? Is he cooperating with Microsoft and Google to be first in line for the announcement? Why would you write something like that in an article about quantum computing unless you had some information in your back pocket? Perhaps he already knows what these two milestones are and has agreed not to talk about them yet?

The rest of the article is solid, and I recommend reading it. That tidbit just stuck out among the quotes from the usual suspects and the excellent graphics. A seemingly innocent statement that could betray some inside knowledge.

A Strange Coincidence

So, my antennae were already up when I started to discuss this article with my office mates. I told them the Financial Times claimed Microsoft or Google will make a major announcement about quantum computing in the next few weeks. At that moment my Google Home blurted out “Or neither.” We all laughed, but paranoia got the best of us. and we unplugged the Google Home for the rest of our conversation.

What do you think? Are Microsoft and Google are on the verge of announcing significant “scientific milestones”? Does the Financial Times have the straight poop? Am I a loon? Let me know in the comments, because it’s driving me just a little bit crazy.

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