Atoms

New analysis of surviving uranium cubes from Germany's wartime nuclear program indicates Nazi scientists were far from building an atomic bomb. The findings reinforce that Germany's bomb effort never came close to success, adding detail to a long-running historical debate about how advanced the Third Reich's nuclear research actually was during World War II.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has published an essay arguing that the bad science behind AI doomerism actually serves the interests of large technology companies. It contends that dramatic warnings of existential AI risk distract from concrete harms and can be used to justify regulatory barriers that entrench incumbent firms. The piece is drawing discussion about the motives behind prominent AI doom narratives.

French quantum computing company Pasqal has moved its €50 million Q-PLANET pilot line into the execution phase, advancing plans to manufacture neutral-atom quantum chips in Europe. The initiative is aimed at building a European supply chain for neutral-atom quantum processors, reducing reliance on non-European technology. Details on partners and timelines beyond the announcement were not provided.

French quantum computing firm Pasqal is coordinating the Q-PLANET project, an initiative to develop the specialized chips required for neutral-atom quantum technology. The effort, reported by HPCwire, focuses on building the semiconductor hardware needed to scale quantum processors based on arrays of neutral atoms. The project highlights growing European investment in the underlying hardware supply chain for quantum computing.