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Quantum computing threatens Bitcoin: Experts debate timeline

Recent breakthroughs in quantum computing have revived fears about the long-term security of Bitcoin (BTC).

With IBM aiming to release the first fault-tolerant quantum computer, the IBM Quantum Starling, by 2029, experts are increasingly concerned that such advancements could undermine Bitcoin’s cryptographic backbone.

Bitcoin currently relies on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) and the SHA-256 hashing algorithm to secure wallets and transactions. However, both are potentially vulnerable to Shor’s algorithm, which a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could exploit.

Google quantum researcher Craig Gidney warned in May 2025 that quantum resources required to break RSA encryption had been significantly overestimated. Although Bitcoin uses ECC, not RSA, Gidney’s research hinted at a threat window between 2030 and 2035 for crypto systems.

Opinions on the timeline vary. Adam Back, Blockstream CEO and early Bitcoin advocate, believes a quantum threat is still at least two decades away. However, he admitted that future progress could force users to migrate coins to quantum-safe wallets—potentially even Satoshi Nakamoto’s dormant holdings.

Others are more alarmed. David Carvalho, CEO of Naoris Protocol, claimed in a June 2025 op-ed that Bitcoin could be cracked within five years, pointing to emerging technologies like Microsoft’s Majorana chip. He estimated that nearly 30% of BTC is stored in quantum-vulnerable addresses.

‘Just one breach could destroy trust in the entire ecosystem,’ Carvalho warned, noting that BlackRock has already acknowledged the quantum risk in its Bitcoin ETF filings.

Echoing this urgency, billionaire investor Chamath Palihapitiya said in late 2024 that SHA-256 could be broken within two to five years if companies scale quantum chips like Google’s 105-qubit Willow. He urged the crypto industry to start updating encryption protocols before it’s too late.

While truly fault-tolerant quantum machines capable of breaking Bitcoin are not yet available, the accelerating pace of research suggests that preparing for a quantum future is no longer optional—it’s a necessity.

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OpenAI turns to Google Cloud in shift from solo AI race

OpenAI has entered into an unexpected partnership with Google, using Google Cloud to support its growing AI infrastructure needs.

Despite being fierce competitors in AI, the two tech giants recognise that long-term success may require collaboration instead of isolation.

As the demand for high-performance hardware soars, traditional rivals join forces to keep pace. OpenAI, previously backed heavily by Microsoft, now draws from Google’s vast cloud resources, hinting at a changing attitude in the AI race.

Rather than going it alone, firms may benefit more by leveraging each other’s strengths to accelerate development.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai, speaking on a podcast, suggested there is room for multiple winners in the AI sector. He even noted that a major competitor had ‘invited me to a dance’, underscoring a new phase of pragmatic cooperation.

While Google still faces threats to its search dominance from tools like ChatGPT, business incentives may override rivalry.

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Google pushes users to move away from passwords

Google urges users to move beyond passwords, citing widespread reuse and vulnerability to phishing attacks. The company is now promoting alternatives like passkeys and social sign-ins as more secure and user-friendly options.

Data from Google shows that half of users reuse passwords, while the rest either memorise or write them down. Gen Z is leading the shift and is significantly more likely to adopt passkeys and social logins than older generations.

Passkeys, stored on user devices, eliminate traditional password input and reduce phishing risks by relying on biometrics or device PINs for authentication. However, limited app support and difficulty syncing across devices remain barriers to broader adoption.

Google highlights that while social sign-ins offer convenience, they come with privacy trade-offs by giving large companies access to more user activity data. Users still relying on passwords are advised to adopt app-based two-factor authentication over SMS or email, which are far less secure.

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Coreweave expands AI infrastructure with Google tie‑up

CoreWeave has secured a pivotal role in Google Cloud’s new infrastructure partnership with OpenAI. The specialist GPU cloud provider will supply Nvidia‑based compute resources to Google, which will allocate them to OpenAI to support the rising demand for services like ChatGPT.

Already under a $11.9 billion, five‑year contract with OpenAI and backed by a $350 million equity investment, CoreWeave recently expanded the deal by another. 

Adding Google Cloud as a customer helps the company diversify beyond Microsoft, its top client in 2024.

The arrangement positions Google as a neutral provider of AI computing power amid fierce competition with Amazon and Microsoft.

CoreWeave’s stock has surged over 270 percent since its March IPO, illustrating investor confidence in its expanding role in the AI infrastructure boom.

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AI video tool Veo 3 Fast rolls out for Gemini and Flow users

Google has introduced Veo 3 Fast, a speedier version of its AI video-generation tool that promises to cut production time in half.

Now available to Gemini Pro and Flow Pro users, the updated model creates 720p videos more than twice as fast as its predecessor—marking a step forward in scaling Google’s video AI infrastructure.

Gemini Pro subscribers can now generate three Veo 3 Fast videos daily as part of their plan. Meanwhile, Flow Pro users can create videos using 20 credits per clip, significantly reducing costs compared to previous models. Gemini Ultra subscribers enjoy even more generous limits under their premium tier.

The upgrade is more than a performance boost. According to Google’s Josh Woodward, the improved infrastructure also paves the way for smoother playback and better subtitles—enhancements that aim to make video creation more seamless and accessible.

Google also tests voice prompt capabilities, allowing users to express video ideas and watch them materialise on-screen.

Although Veo 3 Fast is currently limited to 720p resolution, it encourages creativity through rapid iteration. Users can experiment with prompts and edits without perfecting their first try.

While the results won’t rival Hollywood, the model opens up new possibilities for businesses, creators, and filmmakers looking to prototype video ideas or produce content without traditional filming quickly.

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Meta hires top AI talent from Google and Sesame

Meta is assembling a new elite AI research team aimed at developing artificial general intelligence (AGI), luring top talent from rivals including Google and AI voice startup Sesame.

Among the high-profile recruits is Jack Rae, a principal researcher from Google DeepMind, and Johan Schalkwyk, a machine learning lead from Sesame.

Meta is also close to finalising a multibillion-dollar investment in Scale AI, a data-labelling startup led by CEO Alexandr Wang, who is also expected to join the new initiative.

The new group, referred to internally as the ‘superintelligence’ team, is central to CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s plan to close the gap with competitors like Google and OpenAI.

Following disappointment over Meta’s recent AI model, Llama 4, Zuckerberg hopes the newly acquired expertise will help improve future models and expand AI capabilities in areas like voice and personalisation.

Zuckerberg has taken a hands-on approach, personally recruiting engineers and researchers, sometimes meeting with them at his homes in California. Meta is reportedly offering compensation packages worth tens of millions of dollars, including equity, to attract leading AI talent.

The company aims to hire around 50 people for the team and is also seeking a chief scientist to help lead the effort.

The broader strategy involves investing heavily in data, chips, and human expertise — three pillars of advanced AI development. By partnering with Scale AI and recruiting high-profile researchers, Meta is trying to strengthen its position in the AI race.

Meanwhile, rivals like Google are reinforcing their defences, with Koray Kavukcuoglu named as chief AI architect in a new senior leadership role to ensure DeepMind’s technologies are more tightly integrated into Google’s products.

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Google’s Pichai says AI will free coders to focus on creativity

Google CEO Sundar Pichai has said AI is not a threat to human jobs—particularly in engineering—but rather a tool to make work more creative and efficient.

In a recent interview with Lex Fridman, Pichai explained that AI is already powering productivity across Google, contributing to 30% of code generation and improving overall engineering velocity by around 10%.

Far from cutting staff, Pichai confirmed Google plans to hire more engineers in 2025, arguing that AI expands possibilities rather than reducing demand.

‘The opportunity space of what we can do is expanding too,’ he said. ‘It makes coding more fun and frees you up for creativity, problem-solving, and brainstorming.’

Rather than replacing jobs, Pichai sees AI as a companion—handling repetitive tasks and enabling engineers to focus on innovation. He believes this shift will also democratise software development, empowering more people to build and create with code.

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Gemini gets a major upgrade as Google boosts its AI assistant powers

Google has taken a significant step forward in the race to build the ultimate AI assistant by upgrading its Gemini model with a powerful scheduling feature.

The change, quietly rolled out to Gemini Pro and Ultra users, allows the AI to execute tasks at specific times or set up recurring actions—capabilities typically associated with personal assistants rather than chatbots.

Thanks to this upgrade, Gemini users can now automate a range of everyday digital routines. Whether it’s receiving a morning digest of unread emails and calendar events or prompting the AI to suggest blog topics every Monday, Gemini is positioning itself as a seamless aide across Google’s ecosystem.

According to a company blog post, the model can even deliver timely summaries of live events, like award shows, the day after they air.

The new feature is now available for those subscribed to Gemini Pro and Ultra, and eligible Google Workspace business and education accounts.

It comes as Google accelerates its plans to integrate Gemini into nearly every major product it offers, from Gmail to smart glasses, firmly embedding AI into its future user experience.

While competitors like OpenAI remain dominant in mindshare and Apple’s Siri lags behind, Google’s steady rollout of assistant-style functions may redefine the AI playing field.

Apple’s own AI revamp has faced internal setbacks, and its much-anticipated Siri update is now unlikely to appear this year.

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Google is testing voice-powered Search Live in AI Mode

Google is rolling out a new voice-powered feature called Search Live as part of its evolving AI Mode for Search. Initially previewed at Google I/O 2025, the feature allows users to interact with Search through real-time spoken conversations without needing to type or tap through results.

Available to select users in the United States via the Google app on Android and iOS, Search Live lets users ask questions aloud and receive voice responses. It also supports conversational follow-ups, creating a more natural flow of information.

The feature is powered by Project Astra, Google’s real-time speech processing engine that underpins other innovations like Live in Gemini.

When enabled, a sparkle-styled waveform icon appears under the search bar, replacing the previous Google Lens shortcut. Tapping it opens the feature and activates four voice style options—Cosmo, Neso, Terra, and Cassini. Users can opt for audio responses or mute them and view a transcript instead.

Search Live marks a broader shift in how Google is rethinking search: turning static queries into dynamic dialogues. The company also plans to expand AI Mode with support for live camera feeds shortly, aiming to make Search more immersive and interactive.

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New phase in Malaysia Airlines and Google collaboration

Malaysia Airlines is deepening its partnership with Google to accelerate its digital transformation, focusing on AI-powered marketing and end-to-end innovation across the travel experience.

Building on a successful 2024 collaboration, the renewed agreement will integrate more advanced technologies to enhance customer engagement and streamline services.

The airline and tech giant aims to shift from promotional showcases to a fully integrated ecosystem, using AI and data-driven tools to reshape the travel journey.

A recent highlight was an interactive showcase at the MATTA Fair, where visitors transformed photos into videos using Google’s Veo image-to-video generation tool — part of Malaysia Airlines’ ‘Time For’ campaign.

Dersenish Aresandiran, chief commercial officer of airlines at Malaysia Aviation Group, said the partnership is about more than technology: it’s a strategic move to enrich customer experiences and support national tourism goals ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

Google Malaysia’s director, Farhan Qureshi, echoed the sentiment, calling the collaboration a powerful example of how innovation and creativity can redefine global travel.

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